8-Blade Radial Reel, 8-Blade Forward Swept Reel, or 11-Blade Forward Swept Reel DPA Cutting Unit with 7in Reel

Use this procedure to set the bedknife to the reel and to check the condition of the reel and bedknife and their interaction. After completing this procedure, always test the cutting unit performance under your field conditions. You may need to make further adjustments to obtain optimal cutting performance.

Important: Do not overtighten the bedknife to the reel or you will damage it.

• After backlapping the cutting unit or grinding the reel, you may need to mow with the cutting unit for a few minutes and then perform this procedure to adjust the bedknife to the reel as the reel and bedknife adjust to each other.

• You may need additional adjustments if the turf is extremely dense or your cutting height is very low.

You will need the following tools to complete this procedure:

• Shim 0.05 mm (0.002 inch)

• Cutting performance paper

1. Position the cutting unit on a flat, level work surface.

2. Turn the bedbar-adjusting screws counterclockwise to ensure that the bedbar does not contact the reel (Figure 8).

   

   Figure 8

   1. Bedbar-adjusting screw

3. Tip the cutting unit to expose the bedknife and reel.

   Important: Make sure that the nuts on the back end of the bedbar-adjusting screws are not resting on the work surface (Figure 9).

   

   Figure 9

   1. Kickstand

4. Rotate the reel so that a blade crosses the bedknife approximately 25 mm (1 inch) in from the end of the bedknife on the right side of the cutting unit.

   Note: Put an identifying mark on this blade to make subsequent adjustments easier.

5. Insert the 0.05 mm (0.002 inch) shim between the marked reel blade and the bedknife at the point where the blade crosses the bedknife.

6. Turn the right bedbar adjuster clockwise until you feel light pressure (i.e. drag) on the shim, then back off the bedbar adjuster 2 clicks and remove the shim.

   Note: Adjusting 1 side of the cutting unit affects the other side, the 2 clicks will provide clearance for when the other side is adjusted.

   Note: If starting with a large gap, both sides should initially be drawn closer by alternately tightening the right and left hand sides.

7. Slowly rotate the reel so that the same blade that you checked on the right side is crossing the bedknife approximately 25 mm (1 inch) in from the end of the bedknife on the left side of the cutting unit.

8. Turn the left bedbar adjuster clockwise until the shim can be slid through the reel to bedknife gap with light drag.

9. Return to the right side and adjust as necessary to get light drag on the shim between the same blade and bedknife.

10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 until the shim can be slid through both gaps with slight drag, but one click in on both sides prevents the shim from passing through on both sides.

    Note: The bedknife is now parallel to the reel.

    Note: This procedure should not be needed on daily adjustments, but should be done after grinding or disassembly.

11. From this position (i.e., 1 click in and shim not passing through) turn the bedbar adjusters clockwise 1 click each.

    Note: Each click turned moves the bedknife 0.022 mm (0.0009 inch). Do not overtighten the adjusting screws.

12. Test the cutting performance by inserting a long strip of Toro cutting performance paper between reel and bedknife, perpendicular to the bedknife (Figure 10).

    Note: Slowly rotate the reel forward; it should cut the paper.

    

    Figure 10

    Note: If excessive reel drag occurs either backlap or grind the cutting unit to achieve the sharp edges needed for precision cutting.

1. Adjust the rear roller brackets (Figure 11) to the desired height-of-cut range by positioning the required amount of spacers below the side-plate mounting flange (Figure 11) per the HOC Chart.

   

   Figure 11

   1. Spacer
   2. Roller bracket
   3. Side-plate mounting flange

2. Raise the rear of the cutting unit and place a block under the bedknife.

3. Remove the 2 nuts securing each roller bracket and the spacer to each side-plate mounting flange.

4. Lower the roller and the screws from the side-plate mounting flanges and spacers.

5. Place the spacers onto the screws on the roller brackets.

6. Re-secure the roller bracket and the spacers to underside of the side-plate mounting flanges with the nuts previously removed.

7. Verify that the bedknife-to-reel contact is correct. Tip the mower to expose the front and rear rollers and the bedknife.

   Note: The position of the rear roller to the reel is controlled by the machining tolerances of the assembled components, and so paralleling is not required. A limited amount of adjustment is possible by setting the cutting unit on a surface plate and loosening the side-plate mounting cap screws (Figure 12).

   

   Figure 12

   1. Side-plate mounting cap screws

8. Adjust and tighten the cap screws and torque the cap screws to 37 to 45 N∙m (27 to 33 ft-lb).

This corresponds to the desired height of cut.

The bench set height of cut is the height at which the top edge of the bedknife is set above a flat level surface that contacts the bottom of both the front roller and rear roller.

This is the actual height that the grass has been cut. For a given bench set height-of-cut, the actual height-of-cut will vary depending on the type of grass, time of year, turf, and soil conditions. The cutting unit setup (aggressiveness of cut, rollers, bedknives, attachments installed, turf compensation settings, etc.) will also affect the effective height of cut. Check the effective height of cut using the Turf Evaluator (Model 04399) regularly to determine the desired bench set height of cut.

The aggressiveness of cut has a significant impact on the performance of the cutting unit. Aggressiveness of cut refers to the angle of the bedknife relative to the ground (Figure 13).

The best cutting unit setup is dependent on your turf conditions and desired results. Experience with the cutting unit on your turf will determine the best setting to use. Aggressiveness of cut may be adjusted throughout the cutting season to allow for various turf conditions.

In general, less to normal aggressive settings are more appropriate for warm-season grasses (Bermuda, paspalum, zoysia) while cool-season grasses (bent, bluegrass, rye) may require normal to more aggressive setups. More aggressive setups cut more grass off by allowing the spinning reel to pull more grass up into the bedknife.

Figure 13

1. Rear spacers
2. Side-plate mounting flange
3. Aggressiveness of cut

The number of rear spacers determines the aggressiveness of cut for the cutting unit. For a given height of cut, adding spacers below the side-plate mounting flange increases the aggressiveness of the cutting unit. All cutting units on a given machine must be set to the same aggressiveness of cut (number of rear spacers, Toro Part No. 106-3925); otherwise, the after-cut appearance could be negatively affected (Figure 13).

The location at which the lift-arm chain is attached determines the pitch angle of the rear roller (Figure 14).

Figure 14

1. Lift chain
2. U-backet
3. Bottom hole

These are the recommended height-of-cut settings when a groomer kit is installed on the cutting unit.

These are the recommended height-of-cut settings when a groomer kit is installed on the cutting unit.

Note: Changing 1 chain link changes the pitch-angle movement of the rear roller by 4.5 degrees.

Note: Changing the U-bracket on the lift arm to the bottom hole adds 2.3 degrees to the pitch angle of the rear roller.

Note: For heights of cut greater than 2.54 cm (1.00 inch) the High Height-of-Cut Kit must be installed.

1. Loosen the locknuts securing the height-of-cut arms to the cutting-unit side plates (Figure 15).

   

   Figure 15

   1. Adjusting screw
   2. Locknut
   3. Height-of-cut arm

2. Loosen the nut on the gauge bar (Figure 16) and set the adjusting screw to the desired height of cut.

   

   Figure 16

   1. Gauge bar
   2. Height adjusting screw
   3. Nut
   4. Holes used for setting groomer HOC
   5. Hole not used

3. Measure the distance between the bottom of the screw head and the face of the bar to get the height of cut.

4. Hook the screw head on the cutting edge of the bedknife and rest the rear end of the bar on the rear roller (Figure 17).

   Note: For checking the HOC on cutting units installed with shoulder rollers, place the gauge bar on the larger diameter shoulders on the ends of the shoulder roller.

5. Rotate the adjusting screw until the front roller contacts the gauge bar (Figure 17).

   

   Figure 17

6. Adjust both ends of the roller until the entire roller is parallel to the bedknife.

   Important: When set properly, the rear and front rollers will contact the gauge bar and the screw will be snug against the bedknife. This ensures that the height of cut is identical at both ends of the bedknife.

7. Tighten the nuts to secure the adjustment.

   Note: Do not overtighten the nuts. Tighten them just enough to remove play from the washer.

   Use the following chart to determine which bedknife is best suited for the desired height of cut.

   Bedknife/Height of Cut Chart
   Bedknife	Part No.	Bedknife Lip Height	Height of Cut
   Low HOC (Optional)	110-4084	5.6 mm(0.220 inch)	6.4 to 12.7 mm(0.250 to 0.500 inch)
   EdgeMax® Low HOC (Model 03641)	127-7132	5.6 mm(0.220 inch)	6.4 to -12.7 mm(0.250 to 0.500 inch)
   Extended Low HOC (Optional)	120-1640	5.6 mm(0.220 inch)	6.4 to 12.7 mm(0.250 to 0.500 inch)
   Extended EdgeMax® Low HOC (Optional)	119-4280	5.6 mm(0.220 inch)	6.4 to 12.7 mm(0.250 to 0.500 inch)
   EdgeMax® (Models 03638 and 03639)	108-9095	6.9 mm(0.270 inch)	9.5 to 38.1 mm(0.375 to 1.50 inches)*
   Standard (Optional)	108-9096	6.9 mm(0.270 inch)	9.5 to 38.1 mm(0.375 to 1.50 inches)*
   Heavy Duty (Optional)	110-4074	9.3 mm(0.370 inch)	12.7 to 38.1 mm(0.500 to 1.50 inches)
   * Warm-season grasses may require the Low HOC bedknife for 12.7 mm (0.500 inch) and below.

   

   Figure 18

   1. Bedknife lip height

The turf-compensation spring transfers the weight from the front to the rear roller. This helps to reduce a wave pattern in the turf, also known as marcelling or bobbing.

Important: Make the spring adjustments with the cutting unit mounted to the traction unit, pointing straight ahead and lowered to the shop floor.

1. Make sure that the hairpin cotter is installed in the rear hole in the spring rod (Figure 19).

   

   Figure 19

   1. Turf-compensation spring
   2. Hairpin cotter
   3. Spring rod
   4. Hex nuts

2. Tighten the hex nuts on the front end of the spring rod until the compressed length of the spring is 15.9 cm (6.25 inches) (Figure 19).

   Note: When operating the machine on rough terrain, decrease the spring length by 12.7 mm (1/2 inch).

   Note: The turf-compensation setting will need to be reset if the HOC setting or the aggressiveness-of-cut setting is changed.

The dual knob bedknife-to-reel adjustment system incorporated in this cutting unit simplifies the adjustment procedure needed to deliver optimum mowing performance. The precise adjustment possible with the dual knob/bedbar design gives the necessary control to provide a continual self-sharpening action-thus maintaining sharp cutting edges, ensuring good quality of cut, and greatly reducing the need for routine backlapping.

Prior to mowing each day, or as required, check each cutting unit to verify proper bedknife-to-reel contact. This must be performed even though the quality of cut is acceptable.

1. Slowly rotate the reel in a reverse direction, listening for reel-to-bedknife contact.

   Note: The adjustment knobs have detents corresponding to 0.018 mm (0.0007 inch) bedknife movement for each indexed position. Refer to Adjusting the Bedknife to the Reel.

2. Test the cutting performance by inserting a long strip of cutting performance paper (Toro Part 125-5610) between reel and bedknife, perpendicular to the bedknife (Figure 20). Slowly rotate the reel forward; it should cut the paper.

   

   Figure 20

   Note: If excessive contact/reel drag is evident it will be either necessary to backlap, reface the front of the bedknife, or grind the cutting unit to achieve the sharp edges needed for precision cutting (refer to the Toro Manual for Sharpening Reel and Rotary Mowers, Form No. 09168SL).

   Important: Light contact is preferred at all times. If you do not maintain light contact, the bedknife and reel edges will not sufficiently self-sharpen and will dull after a period of operation. If you maintain excessive contact, the bedknife and reel will wear quicker, wear unevenly, and the quality of cut may be adversely affected.

   Note: After extended running, a ridge will eventually develop at both ends of the bedknife. Round off or file these notches flush with the cutting edge of the bedknife to ensure smooth operation.

   Note: Over time, you will need to grind the chamfer (Figure 21), as it is only designed to last 40% of the bedknife life.

   

   Figure 21

   1. Lead-in chamfer on right end of bedknife
   2. 6 mm (0.25 inch)
   3. 1.5 mm (0.060 inch)

   Note: Do not make the lead-in chamfer too large as it may cause turf tufting.

The angle that you use to grind your bedknives is very important.

Use the angle indicator (Toro Part No. 131-6828) and the angle-indicator mount (Toro Part No. 131-6829) to check the angle that your grinder produces and then correct for any grinder inaccuracy.

1. Place the angle indicator on the bottom side of the bedknife as shown in Figure 27.

   

   Figure 27

   1. Bedknife (vertical)
   2. Angle indicator

2. Press the Alt Zero button on the angle indicator.

3. Place the angle-indicator mount on the edge of the bedknife so that the edge of the magnet mates with the edge of the bedknife (Figure 28).

   Note: The digital display should be visible from the same side during this step as it was in step 1.

   

   Figure 28

   1. Angle-indicator mount
   2. Edge of the magnet mated with the edge of the bedknife
   3. Bedknife
   4. Angle indicator

4. Place the angle indicator on the mount as shown in Figure 28.

   Note: This is the angle that your grinder produces, and should be within 2 degrees of the recommended top grind angle.

1. Turn the bedbar-adjusting screws counterclockwise to back the bedknife away from the reel (Figure 29).

   

   Figure 29

   1. Bedbar-adjusting screw
   2. Spring-tension nut
   3. Bedbar
   4. Washer

2. Back out the spring-tension nut, until the washer is no longer tensioned against the bedbar (Figure 29).

3. On each side of the machine, loosen the locknut securing the bedbar bolt (Figure 30).

   

   Figure 30

   1. Bedbar bolt
   2. Locknut

4. Remove each bedbar bolt allowing bedbar to be pulled downward and removed from the machine bolt (Figure 30).

   Note: Account for 2 nylon and 1 stamped steel washer on each end of the bedbar (Figure 31).

   

   Figure 31

   1. Bedbar bolt
   2. Nut
   3. Steel washer
   4. Nylon washer

1. Install the bedbar, positioning the mounting ears between the washer and bedbar adjuster.

2. Secure the bedbar to each side plate with the bedbar bolts (nuts on bolts) and the 6 washers.

   Note: Position a nylon washer on each side of the side-plate boss. Place a steel washer outside each of the nylon washers (Figure 31).

3. Torque the bedbar bolts to 37 to 45 N∙m (27 to 33 ft-lb).

   Note: Tighten the locknuts until the outside steel washer stops rotating and the end play is removed but, do not overtighten or deflect the side plates. Washers on the inside may have a gap.

4. Tighten the spring tension nut until the spring is collapsed, then back off 1/2 turn (Figure 32).

   

   Figure 32

   1. Spring tension nut
   2. Spring