Combines Broken front feeder drive shaft

Did you count the linksIJ Do all 3 chains have the same number stamped on each linkIJ This sure sounds like a bad dream or something.

Same number links and same stamp on the links. The links that have the rollers(on center chain) measure a bit smaller than side chains. Weird, I know.

I also have an R60 and I wouldnt swear to it but I think all 3 chains are the samewith rollers. I will try to look at it today and post again tomorrow.

I looked at my feeder chains yesterday afternoon and sure enough, all 3 are the same.

Tom, Check your drum, center chain on mine was wearing into the feed drum. If I could figure a way to post photo, I could show you what was happening. New chain I installed is good.

Some pictures here http:__imageevent.com_ormphoto_feederdrum Photos are not real good, but you can see how center chain has started to destroy drum. look at wear on sprockets.

Do you have identical sprocketsIJ When you place them next to each other on a hex shaft with one sprocket reversed per your manual, do the teeth line upIJ One aftermarket supplier was selling sprockets that didnt line up which must have caused a lot of headaches similar to yours. The next thing I would suggest is check your hex shaft for straightness. I couldnt get a good view of your chains but if they are as you described in an earlier post, they also need replacing. I would suggest replacing all 3 sprockets and all 3 chains with the newer heavy duty links, but offhand I dont recall the number. I would also not take a chance with aftermarket sprockets that have a good chance of being misaligned. Good luck!

I dont recall seeing any unusual wear on the drum. When you say, New chain I installed is good do you mean you installed a new center chain or all 3 chainsIJ I am no expert; my only experience is with a pair of R60s that I have owned. Based on that experience I would replace all 3 chains if one was bad. Did you check sprocket alignment with a straightedge to make sure all 3 sprockets are aligned properlyIJ I had sprocket misalignment on the R60 I now have and believe me, there is nothing a person can do to make the chain work well when 1 sprocket is 1_4 tooth off.

Hi Tom, I replaced complete feeder chain and 3 sprockets including new hex shaft. New chain fit perfect. Agco dealer installed the bad chain. Mechanic should have noticed the problem when he installed it.(I'm sure I would have noticed thr side chains being slack while center chain was tight had I installed it) I didn't know I had a problem until I noticed the unusual wear on the front drum and by then I was nearly done with '04 harvest. I brought it up with the dealer, they were going to come out to check it out, but of course they never made it. Dealer went broke in spring of '05. What I'm trying to say is something screwed up when the chain was manufactured, the center chain is a bit shorter. I plan to take this up with Agco when and if I ever finish harvest this year. The sprockets were all timed properly. By the way, the rear feeder chain was replaced in '04 at the same time. No trouble with it.

It sounds like you did everything right. Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out with AGCO.