Combines Hydro Idler Arm

[R_O_M]

Came close! The sheet metal outside bearing support on the hydro idler started to break up and had to be beefed up. The problem lies in the design of the stamped metal idlers. The idlers collect dirt inside the flat rim and become very out of balance with very high vibration levels. We always clean the idlers every day and will often give them a light tap with a hammer while idling to shake the dirt loose particularly when we start feeling high vibration levels. Maybe somebody, someday, will make some very cheap sloping plastic inserts that become part of the idler and that fit inside of both sides of the idler rims to prevent dust and dirt from being able to settle inside of the rims. Cheers!

 

[NDDan]

Caught one in its failing stages. It was surely mud in pulleys which allowed pulley to jump violently. Crack may of started any number of hours previous to failure. Wheel spacers, fliping rims around, or mud shields will help prevent this situation. Dust in pulley should certainly be cleaned out from time to time also. There are ussually bolts acting as scrapers to help eliminate buildup of dust in idler pulley. Take care

 

[big_orange]

Appreciate the comments.Combine has never been run in mud,tires have been clean all fall.Has run quite a few hills and hillsides.My thinking is when the one bracket was welded to the arm it got too hot and the metal lost its temper,cause the break was staight and clean.I do try to keep all the dirt out of the idlers.Thanks.

 

[Kurt]

I had the idle arm for the main drive belt break this year. Just after about 30 hours on a new belt. lost the belt, it wrapped around and bent the idle arm on the hydro. luckly didn't lose that belt also. Kurt