On my 2188 I took off the screens and blow it out every day. I take it off once a year remove the pulley and fan and blow from that end. My alternator rebuild shop told me to take off the screens, all they do is hold the dust in.
I fought the same thing on a 1440. Problem is the alts. built for that application aren't much for dust tolerance. Another problem is air flow around the alt.Fine dust goes through the rad. and then swirls around the back of the alt. in a low pressure area.then the alt. fan draws the dust into itself.Air enters the alt from the back. I never had much luck no matter what I did as far as blowing it out daily or whatever.You will notice that the newer combines cover more of that area to keep the dust moving rearward. The best thing I did was to use a 6" plastic tile elbow to slip over the backend of the alt and secured it with a hose clamp.The elbow points down and the inlet is covered with screen.This way,the alt can draw all the air it needs,but the dust has to be drawn up to get into the alt.If you use window screen as the first layer as support,then you could fasten a piece of panty-hose to be the true filtering material. Cotton pickers use a length of hose to have air drawn in from a cleaner place.
Hey swede, do you have any pictures of thatIJ It sounds like cool idea. I might like to give it a try. I'm running a delco alt. so it may be slightly different but I think the dust still comes in from the backside like your alternater does.
I have a 1460 and used to go through 2-3 delcos a year ,replaced it with a Neihoff 100 amp and have run 6 yrs. without any troubles , They are pricey somewhere around $4-500.00 but at least you can keep running . Also saw a new company that make a beefy Delco alt called a Buzznator . They have a rotary screen like a Neihoff.
Sorry,I don't have the combine any more,and no pictures.The elbow was a 6" 90* for plastic tile.That was what gave an almost perfect inside diameter.I cut a notch out where it slid past the plug-in on the alt.In order to make it fit,I had to relocate the water filter,which wasn't as difficult as it sounds.The principle of using bends to 'confuse' the dirt is used in all dry filters.
I used to have the same problem with my 1480,chaff floating around the engine would plug the vent holes in the alternator rear and I would burn up 2-3 per harvest. I made an air duct that directs screened air from the radiator to the alternator rear. This puts a high pressure pocket of relativly trash free air at the alternator air intake and keeps the vent holes clear. After this Modification the first 72 amp Delco lasted 6 harvest seasons,The second is on 4 years and still going strong. The duct is just 2 90 degree aluminum down spout elbows making a 180 degree U pipe. It takes high velocity air from the lip of the fan shroud and turns it 180 degree to blow at the alternator rear. The duct is pop rivited to a steel strap that is attached to the air cleaner pipe with a hose clamp. Cheap,simple and it has all but eliminated alternator burnout,plus I can still use alternators that sell for $35 at NAPA E mail and I will send a picture.