Operating Instructions; Adjust Bedknife To Reel For Light Contact - Toro Reelmaster 5 Blade Operator's Manual

Operating
Instructions
Adjust Bedknife To Reel For
Light Contact
Important After mower is set up and installed on the
towing frame, the bedknife and reel must be adjusted for
light contact. Adjust bedknife to reel while mower is setting
on the grass to be cut because the force of turf against
underside of bedknife during actual operation must be
duplicated to ensure correct setting. To assure sharp cutting
edges, bedknife and reel must have light contact.
1. Stand behind the mower.
2. Disengage reel throwout knobs (Fig. 7). Carefully spin
reel backward to insure free movement.
3. While spinning reel backward, rotate bedknife adjusting
knob counterclockwise (Fig. 7) until bedknife does not
touch reel blades.
Figure 7
1. Throwout knobs
4. While spinning reel backward, rotate adjusting knob
clockwise (Fig. 7), one click at a time, until light
contact of bedknife and reel is noticed or a whispering
cutting sound is heard.
Note: Spring arm (clicker) may be adjusted for positive
detent by loosening capscrews securing spring arm to
adjustment arm retainer, adjust until a solid clicking sound
is achieved when adjusting knob is turned, and retightening
capscrews.
2. Bedknife adjusting knob
5. Check the reel "carry over" by spinning reel backward
again. Reel should rotate one to two complete
revolutions. Less than one revolution indicates heavy
contact, which means the bedknife and reel must be
readjusted for light contact; refer to steps 1, 3 and 4.
6. At the beginning of the cutting day, when reels are cold,
engage the reel throwout knobs (Fig. 7). Operate
mowers for 15 to 20 minutes so the bedknife and reel
reach normal operating temperature; then stop
operation. Next, disengage reel throwout knobs and spin
reel backward. A whispering sound, not clicking,
should be emitted, and this assures correct adjustment.
If a whispering sound is not heard, bedknife and reel
must be readjusted; refer to steps 3–5. By contrast,
when reels are warm from being used, use only steps
1–5 to maintain light contact between bedknife and reel.
Important Never adjust bedknife to reel for light
contact if mowers are cold because the increase in
temperature during operation could cause the metal to
expand and result in heavy contact. Heavy contact causes
uneven bedknife wear and poor quality of cut. However,
light contact between bedknife and reel, which is desirable,
minimizes wear and keeps cutting edges sharp. Adjust for
light contact every four hours or sooner, even though
quality of cut is acceptable. When mowers are operated in
sparse grass or temperature of air is high, the adjustment
for light contact must be checked even more frequently to
avoid heavy contact between the bedknife and reel. If
mowers are not operated for a short time, one hour after
any use, check for light contact after resuming operation for
15 to 20 minutes; refer to steps 1–6.
Mower Use
1. Mowing Speed – The mower is designed to cut grass
well at any ground speed between 1 and 6 mph (1.6 and
9.66 km/hr) but for most turf conditions, ground speeds
of 4–6 mph (6.4–9.66 km/hr) produce the best quality
of cut. Ground speed, however, must be reduced when
turning because excessive speed will cause outside
mowers to bounce and skip on the turf. Excessive heat,
caused by the reel spinning too fast, can also damage
the bedknife and reel. Since grass lubricates the
bedknife and reel during operation, slow down when
cutting sparse grass, extremely dry grass, or when
trimming. Any lack or significant reduction of
lubrication produces excessive heat build–up and
subsequently, heavy contact between bedknife and reel,
which results in uneven bedknife wear and poor quality
of cut. Therefore, reels must be disengaged and stopped
before mowers are transported across parking lots,
roads, or whenever lubrication is minimal.
2. Height–of–Cut – To determine the effective
height–of–cut, the length of the grass to be cut must be
checked. Height–of–cut should be set and turf mowed
frequently so no more than 1/3 of the leaf is cut off. If
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