MacDon FD70 for Combine Operators - Manual (Page 87)

SECTION 9. OPERATION
Form 169006
85
Revision D
9.11 HEADER SET-UP
The following Table is included as a guideline for setting the pickup reel and the header. Settings other than those
suggested can be made to suit various crops and conditions not covered in the table.
To use the Table, proceed as follows:
1. Determine crop type to be cut.
2. Determine desired stubble length.
3. Determine condition of the crop.
4. Locate the most suitable set-up for the reel.
5. Refer to Chart that starts on the next page for reel settings.
Example shown: In Table below - Canola, leave long stubble, heavy crop. Select Set-up B. In Reel Settings
Chart (next page) - set cam at 2; position reel at 3 or 4, and cut with varying header angles to suit varying crop
conditions.
CROP
TYPE
STUBBLE
RECOMMENDED MACHINE SET-UP
SEE NOTES
BELOW
CROP CONDITION
LIGHT NORMAL HEAVY LODGED
Cereals
4” - 8” E A B D or G a, b, c, d
10”+ F A B D or G a, b, c, d
Ground C A A A a
Alfalfa 4” - 8” E A A or C --- a
Canola 10”+ F A B or H D a, b, d
Grass Ground A A or J J --- a
Rice 10”+ F A G G a, b, c, d
Notes:
a. Adjust reel forward to get closer to ground when tilting header back. Fingers/Tines will dig into ground at
extreme reel forward positions so adjust skid shoes or header angle to compensate. Adjust reel rearward
to get reel further away from ground when tilting header forward.
b. Header tilt can be increased to get reel closer to ground or decreased to get reel further away from ground
while keeping material flowing onto drapers.
c. To leave maximum amount of stubble behind in lodged crop, raise header but increase header tilt to keep
reel close to ground. Position the reel “fully forward”.
d. Reel may have to be moved back to prevent lumps or plugging on cutterbar in thinner crops.
e. Minimum crop carrying capacity (minimum area of exposed draper between reel and header backsheet)
occurs with the reel in the furthest aft position.
f. Maximum crop carrying capacity (maximum area of exposed draper between reel and header backsheet)
occurs with the reel in the furthest forward position.
g. The tip speed of the fingers/tines at the cutterbar becomes higher than the reel speed at higher cam
settings due the nature of the cam action. Refer to Reel Settings Chart that starts on the next page.