Combines Excessive Feeder chain wear

[NDDan]

Don't know what you mean. Did you just change with OEM and they show to much wear for the crops, conditions, and hours you have runIJ If you changed sprockets did you change chainIJ Feeder shocks and rock door hump are the best things you can do to reduce chain and sprocket load. Be sure to remove strippers on bottom of square tube in feeder house if they are installed for corn. Be sure to remove stripper in front of rear feed sprockets if not doing corn. We don't use the front feed strippers for any crop and only install rear for corn. I'm quite sure rear stripper would never be needed for soybeans but may not hurt either in that crop! Take care

 

[New2Gleaner]

You hit the nail on the head; - there seems to be too much wear for the hours I've run. I have replaced both chains and sprockets with OEM replacements, and I thank you for your suggested modifications. Is there an easier way to install the feeder shocksIJ Seems to be a tight place to weld!

 

[NDDan]

I suppose your right about welding the mounts for rear shocks on. The inside back one would certainly be a little tough on smaller combines. A wire welder will make quick work of it and you may want to remove drive wheel to gain more room if you don't have tires flipped around. If your working with a '92 or '93 machine you may have front feed strippers welded to bottom of square tube which needs to be cut out with torch. Also you may have installed 550 replacement chain. I think I can safely say that we get twice the life from the 557 chains. I know this breaks some rules but I can think of at least 3 machines that we replaced just the sprockets and put original chain back in. Chains had run 1000 to 1500 hours and fit new sprockets perfectly. Sprockets were still good for plenty hours but we had shaft out so it was a good time to replace. I would also check your chain to see if you got 557 and double check with dealer to see it is OEM. Good luck