Combines Converting top drive to bottom

[NHD]

I had several of these to run JD corn heads on a TR-70I used a jack shaft down low run by a roller chain off of the high header drive. We made face plates from angle iron to hang on the feeder house. I think this arrangement should work for you.

 

[JM]

Thanks for the ideas. Sounds better than trying to put something together with universal joints. Any trouble throwing the chains off, chains breaking, etc, in your experienceIJ

 

[gromit]

We had the lower drive conversion_or addition on one of our old TR85. Worked well enough but ate up a lot of chain and sprockets. We went with the "weld on" sprockets and put on a new set with new chains every year.

 

[JM]

These were tack welded on the shafts as neededIJ Did this cause any undue bearing wearing, that is, no real mis-alignment possible as long as the bore of the sprocket matches shaft sizeIJ How many times can you do this without having to change the driving shaftsIJ Thanks

 

[gromit]

I should have explained a little more. We used those weld-a-sprocket which which use a hub(they come in all shaft size) and you pick the sprocket plate with the correct size and number that you need. Nothing is tack welded on the shaft itself. At first we used the upper drive for the corn head and the lower drive for the bean head. When we switched to the lower drive corn head, we started having the problems. However, once we started replacing the chain and sprocket plate before harvest each year, we never had anymore problems.

 

[gromit]

I should have explained a little more. We used those weld-a-sprocket which which use a hub(they come in all shaft size) and you pick the sprocket plate with the correct size and number that you need. Nothing is tack welded on the shaft itself. At first we used the upper drive for the corn head and the lower drive for the bean head. When we switched to the lower drive corn head, we started having the problems. However, once we started replacing the chain and sprocket plate before harvest each year, we never had anymore problems.

 

[JM]

Thanks grommit, Duh, that makes more sense!! I was thinking like a cobbler, sorry.

 

[FarmBuddy]

As an industry related to havesting crops around the country and world, we need to advance towards header attachment standardization, (similar to 3 point and PTO equipment on back of tractors). I'm currently seeking farmer, University, and manufacturing input and comments on this subject. I recommend that we establish a standard feederhouse width, frame height, and attaching framework and pins to make life easier for farmers, shortline manufacturers and future globalization. I would also recommend developing an ASAE or ISO centerline drive configuration for the future, including electrical connector and hydraulics. Using a new centerline drive layout would improve safety by eliminating backshafts from longer headers that have now evolved and also elminating hazardous drives on the end of headers. A centerline configuration would also provide center auger support, a worm gear drive for the augers, and 50% slipclutch protection to each auger half, while also eliminating center auger rub and fatigue failures from center overloading. Natural flow patterns are relatively light in the center area based on new header paint wear patterns. The knife sickle should also be center line driven to provide opposed forces, similar to the lycoming or Continental engines in the more reliable aircraft that we fly. Cornheads already have a natural center divider when built with an even number of rows. Grainheads, flexheads and drapers will be built with an extended center divider to split the crop flow 8-10" for double SCH drives or similar opposed sickle drives. Vibration and related forces would be directly opposite and thus more balanced. Header endsheets will be much cleaner and lighter, as they just support 25% of the auger and reel weight and have no exposes drives to wrap up in the fence rows. Damage to end dividers would be virtually eliminated since all that would be out there would be a simple loop or point divider a few inches beyond the reel or cutter bar. As Operations Manager for Machinerylink this past year, knife drive failures and auger failures were among our highest repair cost for farmers. Your comments, concerns, and support are appreciated. We also have various drawings and headers being modified and developed to test the various drive configurations. FarmBuddy@aol.com

 

[jade3]

JM I have a Bish adapter I bought for that purpose. I no longer have my TR70. I never used it, but the previous owner said it worked good. I'm in NW Iowa.