How to Adjust the Reel Drive Chain to a John Deere 1209 Swather

The 1209 is a swather manufactured by John Deere used to mow extremely long rows of grass. Its spinning rotating blades are put into motion by a swather's reel drive chains, of which there are two: an upper and a lower chain. If the blades have trouble spinning freely, the tension may be too tight. If the blades seem to slip slightly or not properly mow, the reel drive chains may need to be tightened.

Floor jack
Blocks or jack stands
Wrench set

Instructions

- 1
  Use a jack to lift the swather and place it onto blocks or jack stands.
- 2
  Use a socket set to remove the transport wheel on the left-hand side of the swather.
- 3
  Remove the hex nut using an Allen wrench and then pull off the collar. Use pliers to pull the key from the wheel shaft.
- 4
  Remove the drive cover bolts and then pull the drive cover off by hand.
- 5
  Examine the tension on both reel drive chains, by pressing on them if necessary. Loosen the tension release bolt on the reel drive chain that needs to be adjusted using the socket set. Slide the tension bolt down to lessen the tension or push it upwards to increase the tension. Tighten the tension release bolt back into place with the socket set once the reel chain has been adjusted.
- 6
  Slip the drive cover back into place and tighten the cover bolts with the socket set.
- 7
  Insert the key into the wheel shaft by gently tapping it into place with the end of the pliers.
- 8
  Replace the collar using the Allen wrench.
- 9
  Lift the swather with the jack, remove the blocks or jack stands and then lower the jack.

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