Locke C-125 - Manual (Page 10)

REEL BEDKNIFE
Whenever the bed knife is replaced it is essential that the
reel and blade be ground or lapped to alignment.
REEL TO BEDKNIFE ADJUSTMENT
The cutting reel is mounted on sealed ball bearings.
These bearings are carried in brackets hinged to the reel
side plates. The hinged brackets have springs which
urge the reel blades toward the stationary blade (See
figure below). An adjustable stop screw limits the swing
of these brackets and hence the approach of the reel
blades to the stationary blade. The correct setting is
when these blades just touch each other. Always strive
to maintain “light” reel to bed knife contact.
Note: If the blades rub together too heavily, the wear is
excessive and the power to drive them increases with the
pressure.
If the blades are too far apart, it is impossible to cut
grass. The tendency will be to munch the grass and
wedge it between the reel and bed knife.
MAINTAINING BLADE SHARPNESS
To provide consistent performance, lap the cutter blades
on a regular basis, ideally after every 40 to 60 hours of
operation. Your dealer will be able to assist you in
maintaining Locke’s legendary cut.
If you have the equipment to lap your reel, follow the steps
below.
1. Loosen the reel adjusting screws enough to cause a
slight friction on the bed knife.
2. Attach a lapping motor to the reel. A lapping motor is
a device that spins the reel in reverse at
approximately 125 rpm. (Use Lapping Adapter P/N
5102).
3. Saturate a brush with lapping compound and apply it
to the reel.
4. Continue lapping until the reel runs without the Inter-
mittent grinding sounds caused by high spots.
5. Thoroughly clean all lapping compound from the
cutter unit.
6. Reset the adjusting screws so that the reel blades
just touch the bed knife. Each blade should cleanly
cut a piece of newspaper at all points across the bed
knife.
BACKLAPPING
—THE DAVIDSON TECHNIQUE
In cases when it is impractical to power-back-lap, a safe,
alternate method is possible. Practical for Locke single
reel mowers, the Davidson technique allows for lapping
without any special tools or equipment.
Required Tools and Materials
Wrenches and pliers for engine chain removal
Wrenches (2) for reel to bed knife adjustment
Lapping compound (80 or 120 grit, water soluble)
Brush for applying compound to reel blades
To Proceed
1. Select a large hard surfaced area, such as a driveway
or garage floor.
2. Remove the engine chain from the mower.
3. Loosen and reset the reel adjusting screws (2)
enough to cause a slight friction between reel and
bed knife. (Make sure that this is done equally on
both sides of the reel.)
4. Saturate a brush with lapping compound and apply it
to the reel.
5. Engage both clutches, and slowly pull mower
backwards to initiate lapping action.
6. When you have pulled mower back to a stopping
point, disengage at least one clutch and push mower
back up to the starting point.
7. Repeat step 5 until the reel runs without the intermit-
tent grinding sounds caused by high spots.
8. Thoroughly rinse all compound from reel and mower
and allow to dry.
9. It may be necessary to reset the adjusting screws so
that the reel blades just touch the bed knife. Each
blade should cleanly cut a piece of paper at all points
7
“QUICK ADJUST HANDLE”
“QUICK ADJUST” PIN
REEL ADJUSTMENT SCREW
REEL TO BEDKNIFE CLEARANCE
HEIGHT ROLLER