MacDon 974 FlexDraper - Manual (Page 47)

Form # 147083 Issue 01/07 45
MAINTENANCE/SERVICE
SICKLE AND SICKLE DRIVE
WARNING: Keep hands clear of the
area between guards and sickle at all
times.
CAUTION: Wear heavy gloves when
working around or handling sharp
knives.
Sickle Lubrication
Apply SAE 10 or equivalent light weight oil daily
(one or two drops per section) along entire length
of sickle.
NOTE: Do not oil sickle if operating in sandy
conditions. Oil will cause sand to adhere to sickle
components, resulting in excessive wear.
In some crops, like flax, it may be necessary to
wash off the gum that adheres to the sickle with
diesel fuel or water.
Sickle Sections
Check daily that sections are firmly bolted to the
sickle back and are not worn or broken. Replace
as required.
To replace sickle section:
1. Grasp the sickle drive belt and turn the sickle
drive until sections (A) are centered in the
guard as shown.
2. Remove the guard (and hold-down if present)
at the section to be replaced.
3. Remove lock nuts securing the section and lift
section off of bolts.
IMPORTANT: Do not mix heavy and light
sickle sections on same sickle.
4. Clean any dirt off of sickle back and position
new sickle section on bolts. Secure with lock
nuts.
5. Reinstall any guards and hold-downs removed.
Adjust sickle hold-downs as required. See
“Sickle Hold-Downs in this section
KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM SICKLE
OIL SICKLE DAILY EXCEPT
IN SANDY SOIL
BOLT-ON SECTIONS
A