MacDon PW8 Pick-Up Header - Manual (Page 63)

OPERATION
3.12 Header Operation
Satisfactory operation of the header in all situations requires making proper adjustments to suit various crops and
conditions.
Correct operation reduces crop loss and increases productivity. As well, proper adjustments and timely maintenance
will increase the length of service you receive from the machine.
The variables listed below and detailed on the following pages, will affect the performance of the header.
You will quickly become adept at adjusting the machine to give you the desired results. Most of the adjustments
have been set at the factory but if desired, the settings can be changed to suit crop conditions.
Variable Section
Pick-Up Speed 3.12.1 Operating Speed, page 55
Auger Speed Auger Speed, page 56
Header Height Header Height, page 62
Pick-Up Height Pick-Up Height, page 63
Hold-Down Position Hold-Down Position, page 65
Hold-Down Rod Angle Hold-Down Rod Angle, page 66
Auger Position Auger Position, page 56
Stripper Plates Stripper Plate Clearance, page 61
Draper Belt Tension Checking Draper Belt Tension, page 68
3.12.1 Operating Speed
Performance of the pick-up in various crop and field conditions largely depends upon the speed at which the drapers
are turning, and the forward speed of the combine.
• If the swath is pushed ahead, the draper speed is too low, and some of the crop may remain unpicked.
• If the swath is torn apart and is pulled toward the combine header, the draper speed is too high, and uneven
combine feeding will occur.
Generally, optimum pick-up speed for most conditions shall be selected so that the swath is always pushed slightly
ahead.
Draper speed is adjusted from the combine cab by regulating oil flow to the pick-up hydraulic motors, typically using
the reel speed controls for the combine. The ratio of pick-up speed to combine ground speed can be set using the
combine header controls. See your combine operator’s manual.
IMPORTANT:
Do NOT over-speed pick-up. Over-speeding the pick-up causes premature wear of drive
components and adversely affects pick-up performance.
The following operating speeds are suggested:
Front and Rear Deck Aft Roller: 51 rpm per 1 mph (1.6 km/h) of combine ground speed.
Example: For combining at 5 mph (8 km/h), the rear roller shaft should run at 51 x 5 mph = 255 rpm
(51 x 8/1.6 = 255 rpm).
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Revision A