Reel Adjustment Cancel The title field is required!

1. Brian Mohr

   

   12 posts
   
   4/9/2021 10:04 AM

   I have three Jake 1880's.  Several reels are giving me issues.  The bedknife is flush with the bottom of the frame and the reel is still not contacting the bedknife.  It makes no sense to me.  I have plenty of reel life on each one.  The bedknives still have plenty of life left after being used only one season.  Am I missing something obvious?  I sure the hell hope so, because I feel baffled.

   
   
   
   
2. Roland McPhearson

   

   9 posts
   
   4/14/2021 10:04 PM in reply to Brian Mohr

   Did you get it figured out?

   
   
   
   
3. Brian Mohr

   

   12 posts
   
   4/15/2021 7:04 AM

   That would be a negative.

   
   
   
   
4. Ron Bradley

   

   63 posts
   
   4/15/2021 7:04 AM

   Can you take some pictures of the unit so we can look at them. side ,front, back, close up of the end of bedknife adjusters.

   
   
   
   
5. Brian Mohr

   

   12 posts
   
   4/15/2021 7:04 AM in reply to Ron Bradley

   I will get some pictures taken and attach them this morning.

   
   
   
   
6. Bill Brooks

   

   18 posts
   
   4/15/2021 12:04 PM in reply to Brian Mohr

   Do you have the 4-bolt system or the quick adjustment for reel to bedknife?

   
   
   
   
7. Brian Mohr

   

   12 posts
   
   4/15/2021 12:04 PM in reply to Bill Brooks

   Four bolt system.  i cannot get any photos to attach.  It keeps telling me the file is too big.

   
   
   
   

   Last modified on 15 Apr 2021 17:04 by Brian Mohr
8. Ron Bradley

   

   63 posts
   
   4/16/2021 8:04 AM in reply to Brian Mohr

   send one or two at a time.

   
   
   
   
9. Brian Mohr

   

   12 posts
   
   4/17/2021 12:04 PM

   Pics:
   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RAgFLkSEsz9qLUaECUnWdR5HeNGZXZcs/view?usp=sharing
   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w7hjtGPhPYcWk35gSjVKLH8yzU3DfTKo/view?usp=sharing
   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l9wxPeNtFb0omSueA_Q7cEjPeN021akZ/view?usp=sharing
   

   
   
   
   
10. Roland McPhearson

    

    9 posts
    
    4/19/2021 8:04 AM

    Ah, the old “bedbar tabs are bottoming out against the frame” problem. Very common. I’ve heard of guys cutting and welding to solve that. I also had that problem and can’t remember what I did to solve it. Maybe new bedknives and maybe thicker bedknives.

    
    
    
    
11. Ed Ward

    

    20 posts
    
    4/23/2021 9:04 PM

    I had the same problem and was able to get the distributor to get me a diagram from Jacobsen showing the correct position. I had to cut the adjuster off the frame and reposition it. I can't help more than that as it was seventeen years ago and I'm retired now.

    
    
    
    
12. James Smith

    

    113 posts
    
    4/26/2021 6:04 AM

    Try as you might your bedknives need to be replaced. they are flat instead of the curled up edge most fairway bedknives have. When ever you bottom out like this you either change out bedknives or replace the reels (once you have no adjustment on new bedknives). yes you can alter the frame to make it work but that's not advisable or safe to be honest. 

    
    
    
    
13. John Weidler

    

    13 posts
    
    4/29/2021 3:04 PM in reply to James Smith

    Follow James Smith advice!!
    Minimum reel diameter 4.5 inches but i would pull them at 4.65 if you want any quality of cut.
    What is your fairway HOC ???
    Replace all 5 bedknifes with new ones
    Grind in relief to those flat ground reels.
    Do not grind to much off the leading ( Front)  edge of the bedknife that would cause aggressive  attitude in the reel. 
    

    
    
    
    

    Last modified on 29 Apr 2021 20:04 by John Weidler
14. Brian Mohr

    

    12 posts
    
    5/1/2021 11:05 AM in reply to John Weidler

    Fairway height is 15 mm.  I have replaced the bedknives.  Thanks everyone for your input.  It is very much appreciated!
    

    
    
    
    
15. James Smith

    

    113 posts
    
    5/2/2021 6:05 AM in reply to Brian Mohr

    Good deal.
    
    I really do understand the desire to get more life out of the reel and bedknife but by doing so you are also changing the aggressiveness of the cut. as the reel and bedknife wear you have to lower the front of the reel to keep your HOC. this in exchange pushes the end of the bedknife backwards to an extent. 
    
    These reels are made to only wear so much and the bedknives also. once you start rigging the framing you are going way past factory specs. yes they are expensive to replace but with proper planning you can purchase one reel at a time in advance and spread the cost out over the summer and rebuild in the winter. 
    
    I would never advise cutting and welding on the frames just to get more life out of the reel. 
    Once you have reached the point where you have no more adjustment after changing the bedknives 1-6 months earlier its time to bite the bullet and get new reels. new reels should last about 4-6 years. bedknives on a fairway mower should last 1-3 years. you do the math.