Daily Adjustments
Prior to each day's mowing, or as required, each cutting
unit must be checked to verify proper bedknife−to−reel
contact. This must be performed even though quali-
ty of cut is acceptable.
1. Lower cutting units onto a hard surface, shut off en-
gine and remove key from ignition.
2. Slowly rotate reel in reverse direction listening for
reel−to−bedknife contact. If no contact is evident, turn
bedknife adjusting knob clockwise, one click at a time,
until light contact is felt and heard.
3. If excessive contact is felt, turn bedknife adjusting
knob counterclockwise, one click at a time until no con-
tact is evident. Then turn bedknife adjusting knob one
click at a time clockwise, until light contact is felt and
heard.
Service and Repairs
Backlapping
REELS MAY STALL WHILE BACKLAPPING.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESTART REELS BY
HAND
OR
TOUCH
BACKLAPPING. STOP ENGINE AND TURN
H.O.C. KNOB ONE POSITION TOWARD "1".
Note: When backlapping, the front units all operate to-
gether, and the rear units operate together.
1. Position the machine on a level surface, lower the
cutting units, stop the engine, engage the parking brake,
and move the Enable/Disable switch to disable position.
2. Unlock and raise the seat to expose controls.
3. Locate the reel speed selector knobs and backlap
knobs (Fig. 22). Rotate the desired backlap knob(s) to
the backlap position and the desired reel speed selector
knob(s) to position "1."
Note: Backlapping speed may be increased by mov-
ing the reel speed selector knob toward "13." Each posi-
tion will increase speed approximately 100 rpm. After
changing selector, wait 30 seconds for the system to sta-
bilize at the new speed.
Cutting Units
DANGER
REELS
WHILE
Page 8 - 16
IMPORTANT: Light contact is preferred at all times. If
light contact is not maintained, bedknife / reel edges will
not sufficiently self−sharpen and dull cutting edges will
result after a period of operation. If excessive contact is
maintained, bedknife/reel wear will be accelerated, un-
even wear can result, and quality of cut may be adverse-
ly affected.
Note: As the reel blades continue to run against the
bedknife a slight burr will appear on the front cutting
edge surface the full length of the bedknife. If a file (or
a light face grind) is occasionally run across the front
edge to remove this burr, improved cutting edge sharp-
ness can be obtained.
After extended running, a ridge will eventually develop
at both ends of the bedknife. These notches must be
rounded off or filed flush with cutting edge of bedknife to
assure smooth operation.
2
1
Figure 22
1. Reel speed selector knobs
2. Backlap knobs
4. Make initial reel to bedknife adjustments appropriate
for backlapping on all cutting units which are to be back-
lapped.
5. Start engine and run at idle speed.
1
2
Reelmaster 5500-D