Combines Feeder Chains

[tbran]

as long as the wear is not enuff to start causing excess sprocket wear or sprocket climb you are OK. Have seen chains run past 1700 hours and still going and have seen those buggars wear out before 1000 hours - depends on conditions.. Dusty soybeans seems to be the killer. Wheat and corn machines have the longest life. My old CA550 chains started giving problems at 1500 hours. I really beleive the new shock kits and better feeding due to processor upgrades that have reduced my throat plugging will greatly increase the life. Finally another key is EVEN wear on a R60and62. A chain set that has a streched chain on the edge seems to wear quicker as well. A machine that has a bent slat and is run that way will show a bunch of link wear in the bent slat area. Therefore as the hours mount increase the intervals and closeness of inspection. ...got milk,..ur....shock kitIJ...

 

[Aussie]

It can be tricky getting the sprockets aligned right. Have them off the shaft sitting on each other and sight through the middle to make sure the hex's are lined up then turn them one 1_6th turn at a time to find the best lineup of teeth then mark and install as marked. If they don't line up exactly in any combination then have the middle one the odd one out and make sure it trails the outers.

 

[Tom_Russell]

Dont even consider using sprockets that dont line up. life is too short to put up with jumping chains. Do as Aussie suggested to check them but I would recommend buying new AGCO sprockets if they are bad. Sprockets from one aftermarket supplier never will work correctly because the setscrew holes arent drilled in the right place.

 

[glr62]

this can be a trickey one sometimes. an old chain doesn't help. make sure the front drum stops, the ones that rotate for different drum heights, are the same, in the same position. there are at least two different drum stops. lay a straight edge across the sprockets in the machine to be sure they are aligned at every tooth, all nine of them. spring tension usually doesn't matter but adjust the same, in fact take them apart and clean trash out of them, have found broken spring before.

 

[Hal]

Why would set screw location make a difference, as long as teeth line upIJ

 

[RJT]

Yes I had the same problem as yours and also had a 98 R72. At about 225 hours we found the center sprocket on the top chain had been installed at the factory just one hex away from right. Dealer gave us 3 new sprockets, new bearings and new chain.

 

[Tom_Russell]

The only way to prove it to yourself is to mount sprockets on a hex shaft on your workbench. Then turn one sprocket side for side like it is in your combine. If the setscrew hole location (actually the hex pattern) isnt correctly oriented with the tooth pattern, you will not be able to run a straight edge between all 3 sprockets. And if you can't do the straight edge test, your chains jump a cog whenever there is the slightest load or even a tiny bit of slack. I hope this is understandable.

 

[Hired_Gun]

Had same problem this harvest.First thought we had extra chain link in new feeder chain. After closer inspection, found bearing out on one side of lower chain drum. Problem made chain look like it was half tooth off.

 

[Silver_shoes]

I have heard that those manchester chains just make a feeding problem worse because they grab the crop and try to bring it back around. Any truth to thatIJ I have never delt with them before. Other than that, we have the large chain and havent had any problems.

 

[Gleamer]

If I may put in my thoughts, I would run the 557 or heavy duty chains and change the slats for different crops or conditions. You can get smooth or serrated and tall or short slats. Just an idea. Good luck