This guide details installing a new cutterhead in a planer, emphasizing safety, proper tools, and careful disassembly and reassembly steps. It highlights benefits of spiral/helical cutterheads, including reduced noise and longer life, and provides thorough instructions for removing the old cutterhead, installing the new one, and final alignment checks for optimal planer performance.
In this video, we'll guide you through the process of installing a new cutterhead in a planer, including valuable tips to ensure smooth installation, alignment, and ongoing maintenance for optimal performance. We'll also highlight the benefits of spiral/helical cutterheads over traditional straight knife options, such as reduced noise, better finishing results, and a longer lifespan.
We've also included the step-by-step instructions below if you'd like to follow along.
Tools and Components Needed
Tools
- Pulley puller
- Wrenches and screwdrivers (for covers and fasteners)
- Rubber mallet
- Flathead screwdriver
- Torx wrench (for cutterhead insert rotation/replacement)
- Torque wrench (capable of measuring inch-pounds)
- Gloves
- Cardboard (for cutterhead protection)
Components
- New cutterhead
- Replacement gaskets for the gearbox
- New bearings
- Clean 80/90 weight sprocket oil
Safety First
- Disconnect the planer from power before starting.
- Read all instructions and watch the provided video before beginning.
- Do not attempt this project without the proper tools.
- Handle knives with extreme caution—they are very sharp. Wear gloves.
- If you need assistance, call Technical Support: 570-546-9663.
Step 1: Disassembly (Removing the Old Cutterhead)
- Disconnect the planer from the power source.
- Remove the dust port and top cover.
- Remove the straight knives from the cutterhead. Use extreme caution and wear gloves.
- Remove the pulley cover and V-belts.
- Remove the cutterhead pulley using a pulley puller.
- Remove the table hand wheel.
- Remove both rear guards from the sprocket cover.
- Remove the sprocket cover to expose the drive sprockets and chains.
- Remove the sprockets and chains.
- Drain the oil from the gearbox.
- Place blocks under the cutterhead for support.
- Reinstall the table hand wheel and turn it until the cutterhead just touches the blocks.
- Remove the four cap screws at the top of the gearbox.
- Using a rubber mallet, carefully unseat the cutterhead from the headstock.
- With the assembly still resting on the blocks, separate the gearbox cover by removing the cover cap screws and gently tapping near the gasket using a mallet and flathead screwdriver.
- Remove the helical gear (may be held with a cap screw or threaded onto the cutterhead).
- If your helical gear uses a cap screw, reinstall it in the cutterhead.
- Carefully remove the entire cutterhead and gearbox assembly and place it on your workbench.
- Separate the cutterhead from the gearbox using a mallet.
Step 2: Installing the New Cutterhead
- Wrap a layer of cardboard around the new cutterhead to protect it during installation.
- Install the new bearing (if not already done) on the new cutterhead.
- Insert the cutterhead into the gearbox.
- Install the helical gear.
- Using a new gasket, reassemble the gearbox.
- Fill the gearbox with clean 80/90 weight sprocket oil.
Step 3: Reassembly (Installing the New Cutterhead Assembly)
- Install the gearbox and new cutterhead assembly back into the planer.
- Ensure the cutterhead shaft bearing is seated by tapping on the gearbox with a mallet.
- Reinstall the sprockets and chains.
- Reinstall the sprocket cover and both rear guards.
- Install the cutterhead pulley.
- Remove the cardboard from the cutterhead.
- With power still unplugged, rotate the cutterhead slowly by turning the pulley to ensure it does not contact anything.
- Reinstall the V-belts.
- Put the V-belt cover back on.
- Put the top cover and dust port back on.
Final Checks and Adjustments
- Verify the alignment of the new cutterhead with the table, as well as the feed roller and pressure roller heights, using your owner’s manual.
- When ready to test run, listen for any unusual sounds and verify the tightness of all bolts and fasteners removed during installation.