I would lower it down. Ours is real close. I dont think you would cut fingers because your reel moves with your head,I think that is where Agco is going to have trouble with there one piece reel on there flex head. Ours is running right off the top of the guards.Moving the reel in and out also,make sure the reel is sweeping at its lowest point right behind the guards.What size is yoursIJ You should be able to move alot faster then a flex head of the same size,if its tough feeding (short beans,damp conditions) everyones can feed nice tall beans. I wouldnt even consider an auger head anymore. IG IG