Combines FarmerEdIJ

On my F2 the chain and bottom lasted about 3500hrs.

I also agree with the previous post. I would say around 3000 hours of normal usage in crops like wheat, corn, and soys. The main thing is that you adjust the chain evenly and make sure the idlers are in good shape and clean the buildup on the bottom front often. We have a couple custom made heavy duty false bottoms for the F series combines. We also welded an angle iron on a slant so that the crop materials would not flow onto the chain on the sides and thus prevent it from wrapping around the sprockets and such. Works excellent with both improvements.

Sorry to double post.....The chain should last around 1500-2000 hours under normal conditions. You can tell if a false bottom is getting wore by opening the side panels directly above the middle of the raddle chain and feeling if there are grooves where the chain runs. If there is some major grooves wore, you should think about replacement, especially if it is wore through! Take off the back shields, (before the walkers and after the raddle chain) and check that nothing is bending or catching when the bottom gets thin and wore. Good luck on your decision. I hope all works out! let me know!