Combines Alarm Distracting

Why are you slowing down to unloadIJ I always run at full throttle on the unload and never (if I'm thinking) back out of the throttle with the separator clutch engaged. This does all kinds of funny things to the rotor torque assembly. What combine are we talking aboutIJ This could have a bearing on your other questions. My combine (2188) has an alarm on the feeder.

1989 1660. I don't like "jerking" things into gear so I unload slower and it does a nice job. When I go to engage the header, I slow down to an idle to engage the seperator and header. Have several Gleaner machines and never had to replace any clutch_etc. parts by using this system. The Case is a wonderful machine.

I shut down the separator, then idle the engine to engage, and rev it back up to unload. I always engage the separator at low idle and disengage it at high idle. As for your feeder drop problem, you likely have a poppet leaking in the header lift valve. It's been a while but I don't think it's too costly or too difficult a job to remedy. Replace the feeder chain after you've shortened it a couple times and the links become worn. HTH