Combines Cornhead repairs

[BenM]

A trick showed to me was to cut the undamaged end off of a coupler and weld it onto another one, effectivly making it longer, and using that to extend the coupler further onto the undamaged splines of the shaft--if you have the space. The double bevel gear is usually loose on its shaft if the splines are that worn, more than 1_8 inch lateral play of this gear requires replacement; however, mine has more and still works fine. I've seen old heads with the teeth almost worn off, so they will go quite a while past factory specs. Splined shafts and gears etc. are the same on all black corn heads, sometimes you can get a used head that has the parts you need for far less than replacing all of your. Aren't they fun to work onIJIJIJIJ Good luck! Ben.

 

[Rig]

Mine has a keyed double bevel gear instead of the newer style splined. Bad news as I discovered today that that shaft is unavailable and the splined gear plus the new shaft is ~$400. The used ones I have found the drive splines are also worn out. The keyed bevel gear must be heat shrunk on the shaft. I finally got one off today. The gear is hollow in the middle and it broke in half perfectly from being pressed off. Are there any junk yards that specialize in corn heads out thereIJ

 

[BenM]

Hmmm, never seen one like that, and yes, parts are expensive. There are several wreckers here,Fawcett tractor supply at 800-372-7179 www.fawcett.cc in St. Marys Ont., and an Agco dealer, Shantz Farm Equip. in Alma Ont. at www.shantzfarmequipment.com who has about 100 wrecked combines, mostly gleaners. 519-638-3317 may be a used parts source. Good luck, Ben

 

[BenM]

While you're at it make sure that the number of shims behind the bearing holders are the same All the way across the header. Uneven shim numbers will result in the worn couplers and shafts that you describe. Been there, done that. Ben.

 

[Rig]

Thanks for your advice. I found another 830 head for $2500 just like mine except it is a little newer and has the splined shafts. Now I need to decide what to do. Fix the old one or fix a different one. Price of these parts and the number of wearing parts on these things maybe I need a usable head and a parts head also.

 

[Silver_Bullet]

After years of being loyal to Gleaner and lots of hours fixing the heads, I put a John Deere corn head on with a BISH adapter. Deere heads are more available, Its cheaper in the long run.