Combines Feeder chains sprockets

You have done well with that chain life! As the notch gets deeper, each link has to be pulled out of the notch. Not good for future chain life! Definitely not suitable for a new chain. If not too deep, with a small grinder and lots of patience, the notches can be smoothed out. By the time you heat the sprockets to break the loctite bond, remove [ gas off! ] bearings, remove shafts and turn sprockets you will probably figure it would be a good idea to replace with brand new. Agco prices [ in Oz ] are dynamite with these sprockets so look around to OEM's

I have been burned by aftermarket sprockets that werent identical and unfortunately, I didnt notice it until after installing them. (All 3 sprockets must be identical or the chain wont run straight.) The cost saving wasnt worth the aggravation and extra time spent changing them the second time.

Thanks for the tips. I may run only one more year on this machine, so may assess chain wear next summer and possibly remove the notches on the sprockets with hand grinder. I know it is a job, but have the time to do it. Thanks again.

You'll likely pull chain to touch up sprockets so you can examine every link for breakage. Split chain somewhere other than normal connectors to examine pin wear. These 557 chains seem to be especiallly good if they made it past breakin. Don't know of any magic number for these chains but 1500 plus is going to be normal for many crops and conditions. You'll get a clicking and or clunking when it starts coming apart. One of the first things I ask when custumer asks about chain is has it been repaired. If it has been repaired because of weak or wore link then replace as soon as posible. Fresh unworn slats will help feeding in some crops also. Do not rotate sprockets for the ID that chain runs on is wore and chain will not fit to teeth properly. After positioning new sprockets properly be sure to fill threads at least half full with loctite before running the setscrews in. Good luck

If you change your mind, to save money, time and effort, you can get split sprockets so that you don't have to take everything apart. I believe there are some on loewen webb site.

What do you do with the old onesIJ Do you cut them off, ruin a bearing or two, and end up removing the shaft anywayIJ