Combines cage repair

We usually use a piece of channel and bolt it into the inside of the cage on either side of the 'buldge' then hammer the squares back in straight and weld from the outside if possible. (then remove the stiffener guide channel of course) The inside should be chrome and can be welded but it is better to repair from the outside. In really bad tears we lay a rod ( one removed from the low wire grates ) over the tear and tack it in to reinforce. Works fine. BTY I have about 3800 hours on my R50 cage and it is still going strong . I did have to weld up the lH side of the grate and then hard surface it after grinding it level. I am in hopes the steep pitch helicals and triangle helical extention will prevent the lH grate wear. It had over 2000 hours on it suffering from cage constipation until hyper-exlaxing relieved the HP requirements of threshing and separating.

Thanks tbran, I am going to bother you some more. This R-50 I am looking at hasn't had any hyerizing done to it. I figure I would extend the helical bar across the inlet, put in the extra discharge paddles,extend the outlet helicals and try the F-2 bars in the belly if I get this machine bought. As far as the helicals are concerned do I buy new ones or do they have to match the old ones pretty closeIJ Since I am in there that far I suppose I should cut every other wire out of the concave and seperator. Also should I make the Hi-lo conversion to the rotor while it's outIJ If I do is it better to do the Half Height bars or just remove the barsIJ The guy who owned this combine only havested wheat and beans. I will be havesting corn and beans. Also there are no shocks on the feeder chains. Any thing else you can advise me on would be great. Thanks again, gerf123