JD 915 Header

[Rich.Fl]

I am changing the knives and guards on a JD 915 header. This is the first time I have done this...so don't know what I am doing. After putting some new knives and guards on I found the hold downs were tight against the knives, not allowing the bar to move. (I did not replace the hold downs or wear guards.) If I loosed the hold downs a little then it will slide.

The thickness of the new knives seem very close to the old ones. I can slide a credit card beneath the hold downs I have not taken off yet, but where things were replaced the hold down is snug. Thought I would get some new wear plates and see if that helps?

Not sure why this is happening...am I missing something?
Thanks!!
Rich

 

[flying belgian]

First of all that sickle is really going to cut good for you with those new parts.

A little tight is okay. It will wear into place when running a few hours. Squirter a little oil on them . If you got some really tight you can put a washer under them.

 

[Rich.Fl]

First of all that sickle is really going to cut good for you with those new parts.

A little tight is okay. It will wear into place when running a few hours. Squirter a little oil on them . If you got some really tight you can put a washer under them.

I will do that- Thanks for the suggestions!!
Rich

 

[GermantownGreen]

I will do that- Thanks for the suggestions!!
Rich

We have found, depending on which way is tight, maybe have to grind on heel of the guard or hold down, decreasing "elevation" this making it a pinch loose, or tighter...
Or adding shims stock...
Just sharing.. GG Wes

 

[Rich.Fl]

We have found, depending on which way is tight, maybe have to grind on heel of the guard or hold down, decreasing "elevation" this making it a pinch loose, or tighter...
Or adding shims stock...
Just sharing.. GG Wes

Great Idea- Thanks!!

 

[fdt860]

I think it is important to replace also the wear plates. There are some shims to put between the hold downs and the knife. You do not want the knife to be too tight, has you can have a fire, and you can also destroy the drive. The header LH driveshaft should turn by hand (with some force, but should be feasible). I would not run it if I can not go trough the full stroke of the cutterbar back and forth.
The operator manual explains how to straighten the cutterbar gards and the L angle before installing the knife. and how to install the bar while also aligning the gard. I have done it many different ways, but the John Deere book is definitively more helpful.

 

[Rich.Fl]

Thanks again for the help and suggestions!

Here is what I did- The concern was when I tightened the new guards and hold-downs the cutter bar would not budge. I oiled things up as suggested. Then I loosened all the guards and hold downs (also used new wear plates) and then I could move the bar through a stroke. I started on the left side tightening a guard and adjusting with a 2 lb. hammer as the book said,

then moved to the next one...making sure the bar would slide after each was tightened and adjusted. I checked the hold downs by slipping a business card between the knife and hold down. If it was binding I took it off and adjusted with a grinder. This worked fine.

I have combined about 30 acres of brown top millet and it is cutting better than ever!!

Rich

I

 

[flying belgian]

Thanks again for the help and suggestions!

Here is what I did- The concern was when I tightened the new guards and hold-downs the cutter bar would not budge. I oiled things up as suggested. Then I loosened all the guards and hold downs (also used new wear plates) and then I could move the bar through a stroke. I started on the left side tightening a guard and adjusting with a 2 lb. hammer as the book said,View attachment 85072 then moved to the next one...making sure the bar would slide after each was tightened and adjusted. I checked the hold downs by slipping a business card between the knife and hold down. If it was binding I took it off and adjusted with a grinder. This worked fine.

I have combined about 30 acres of brown top millet and it is cutting better than ever!!

Rich

I

Yay!!

 

[GermantownGreen]

Thanks again for the help and suggestions!

Here is what I did- The concern was when I tightened the new guards and hold-downs the cutter bar would not budge. I oiled things up as suggested. Then I loosened all the guards and hold downs (also used new wear plates) and then I could move the bar through a stroke. I started on the left side tightening a guard and adjusting with a 2 lb. hammer as the book said,View attachment 85072 then moved to the next one...making sure the bar would slide after each was tightened and adjusted. I checked the hold downs by slipping a business card between the knife and hold down. If it was binding I took it off and adjusted with a grinder. This worked fine.

I have combined about 30 acres of brown top millet and it is cutting better than ever!!

Rich

I

Good job, good luck with your harvest. GG Wes