Setting up your Equipment

How do I fit the blades ?

• Fit the bottom blade or “comb” to the shearing machine and tighten the comb screws.
  Slacken the tension nut and fit the top blade or “cutter” between the comb and the prongs.
  Locate the prong cone in the cutter holes.
• Hold down the fork and screw down the tension nut until light resistance is felt.
• Set the “lead” and the “throw” and then fully tighten the comb screws.
  Set the tension.

How do i set the lead?

• Slide the comb backwards or forwards to ensure that there is between 1.5mm and 2mm between the cutter tips and the comb face bevel.

 

How do i set the throw?

• Slide the comb left or right to ensure that the cutter moves evenly across the comb and overlaps the outer teeth by an equal amount. Ensure to check that the lead is still correct before fully tightening the comb screws.

How do i set the tension?

• Screw the tension nut down until light resistance is felt. Then screw the nut down by a further quarter-turn. Insufficient tension will allow wool to collect under the cutter and reduce performance while excessive tension will overheat the blades.
• Do not reduce adjust the tension while the machine is in operation.

How often should I oil the blades?

• We recommend oiling the blades every 5-10 minutes when in use, using R30 or good quality engine oil. Before oiling, brush the blades clean of grit and dirt. 
• Ensure to oil the following: blades, prong swivel joints, crank roller and both ends of the tension pin via the front oil hole, fulcrum post via the top oil hole.
  Frequent oiling will help keep the blades running smoothly by reducing friction and heat, while preventing strain on the motor.

 

For further information on setting your blades view the demonstration by Sir David Fagan – Click Here

 

Setting your Machine and connecting your handpiece

When using a suspended shearing motor unit, always ensure that the correct height of the drive from the floor is maintained as directed in the instruction book, failure to do this can cause issues with the drive breaking and excessive strain put on you the shearer. There are two options for the fitting of the handpiece to the drive, one is the traditional pin fitting and the other is the spline/worm fitting, which is becoming more popular.

Always ensure that the handpiece is compatible with the drive. If using a motor in the handpiece type unit, ensure that any trailing cables are kept in a safe manner. Tripping over the cable with a live sheep is not good for anyone.

The Lister Nexus is a 3-speed shearing machine, all these machines are despatched from the factory at the slowest speed. The top speed is designed for the professional user.  Using the machine at top speed can cause overheating and blunting of the blades if this speed is used by a novice. The Nova is a single speed machine and will shear at the ideal speed for most applications. The Fusion motor in the handpiece unit is a two speed machine with the slowest speed ideal for dagging and cleaning the sheep with the top speed ideal for full shearing.

Note: - whilst using mains electricity, always ensure that a working circuit breaker is fitted at the source of power.