Service Manual

Reelmaster 5500-DPage 8 - 6Cutting Units
Factor Possible Problem/Correction
5. Bedknife to reel adjustment. Check bedknife to reel contact daily. Bedknife must
have light contact all across reel. No contact will cause
cutting edges to become dull. Excessive contact
accelerates wear; quality of cut may be adversely
affected.
Adjust so paper can be pinched between reel and
bedknife without tearing when inserted from the front,
and cuts cleanly when inserted at a right angle (along
entire length of bedknife).
Slightly dull cutting edges may be corrected by
backlapping. Excessively dull cutting edges must be
corrected by grinding the reel and bedknife.
6. Front roller position. Make sure front rollers on all cutting units are in the
same position. Make sure rollers are adjusted so
bedknife has proper attitude for height of cut setting
and turf conditions.
7. Rear roller parallel to reel. Rear roller must be leveled so it is parallel with the reel
before setting height of cut.
8. Height of cut. Make sure all cutting units are set at same height of
cut. Set with rear roller - must be equal at both ends of
roller.
9. Roller scraper adjustment. Install and/or adjust front and rear roller scrapers if
grass clippings build up on rollers.
10. Stability of bedbar. Check bedbar end bushings, adjuster pivot bushings
and nylon flanged bushings for wear or damage.
Check adjustment knob to make sure detent holds
adjustment.
11. Number of reel blades. Use cutting unit model with correct number of blades
for clip frequency and optimum quality of cut range.
12. Cutting unit alignment and ground following. Check lift arms and cutting unit pivot linkages for wear,
damage or binding.
13. Roller condition. All rollers should rotate freely. Replace bearings if they
are worn, damaged, or have excessive radial play.