Combines Power washing a F2IJIJIJ or notIJIJIJIJ

[T__langan]

Well, as always with asking these type of questions on the net, you'll get answers going both ways and probably be just as confused (or more!) than before. Having said that, we have always power washed our combine at the end of the season. It's the only good way we've found to get that built up chain lube_dirt_grease off and make'em look new again. We also run the separator for 10 - 15 minutes at engine idle to work out any water that may have gotten into any bearings and then finally grease everything. Never seemed to have any more trouble than normal.... Tom langan

 

[t_leslie]

I have only had one customer ever complain about us washing a combine. It was an r62 and we removed the cylinder to make a repair and I told the guys to wash it out before they brought it in..After all I was going to be in ther my self and I knew that this guy had just cut some millet and some milo And I didn't want to lay down in the dust... Customer said he had cleaned it out..... This customer now knows what clean is!!!! His big complaint was the cage and bars would rust up.... I can see his point, but I also knew he wasn't finished harvesting and it would only take afew min to rub the rust off when he got back into field...

 

[Trent]

I have a K that I washed one time. It does take some time to do it right and I don't think I would do it again unless I had major work to do on it. I keep it clean by using a leaf blower after each days use and going over it with a blow gun with an extension made from steel brake line tubing. I have used a brush dry on areas where dust has settled- only if I get caught in rain and the dust sticks on. It doesn't shine, but it isn't a fire hazard either. I guess it depends on how good you want it to look.

 

[Farmer_Ed]

Very good question. My dad says no, I say yes. I take care of the F2 and my dad takes care of the F's. The F2 looks like it was just taken off the showroom floor. The main thing is not to spend too much time spraying the wrong areas such as bearings or places where water can get held up. My dad just blows the machines off every once in while with a long extension tube with a valve on it. Doesn't look bad but doesn't look great either. Soybean dust seems to stick to just about everything. I had a combine fire with the F2 about 8 years ago (rivets came out of a piece underneath the muffler and straw caught on fire) and somehow with my "heart stopped", I saved it with one good throw of gatorade and when my dad came I put the rest of it out with a fire extinguisher. Safety should always be first! There isn't one combine without a fire extinguisher now! We fixed it by putting small bolts with locknuts on it. There were smaller fires under the motor and on the motor by the dust of wheat chaff and soybean dust. Thus every year I give it a good powerwashing and never regret it. I have not noticed any difference in bearing replacement or anything like that. We have never had any problem with the other ones my dad spends half a day blowing off with air either though, but I still go for looks as well, plus I think when you blow it off, it's moving dust from one part to another. With water you can see it coming clean and it's much more powerful. Here are some hints I hope. Do what you want, but the main thing is at least do one or the other at least once or twice a year! 1.) Make sure clean grain_return_bin_concave bottoms are opened up with header in down position. 2.) Don't use too high of pressure or it will start removing paint_stickers_etc. (I use 1500 psi) 3.) Presoak the machine then start from the top and work down, it will save you time. 4.) Depending on how dirty it is, use degreaser first, soap, water, wax, then lightly rinse. 5.) Inspect for missed spots 6.) Run machine at idle for 10 minutes then full throttle for a minute with everything opened up. 7.) Change filters at this time (cab, engine, etc.) 8.) Wash the windows, foam the tires, wax. ;-) 9.) ENJOY!

 

[John]

Tom, I totally concur, blow it off real good, wash it down real good, fire it up and let it warm up and dry out and off, then go to what the manuals tell you to do for normal greasing and lubing at the end of the day, then fire it up again for another 5 minutes to get the new grease and chain lube worked in and your done. The machine will last for years, the last machine I owned (M2)for 8 yrs got that treatment and I replaced 5 bearing in 8 yrs, none of which where water pitted. The N6, I am still finding the previous owner neglect!

 

[kdoss]

I have seven F2 combines and I have always washed them off with a power washer. They run a lot cooler, keeps dirt and grease cleaned off. Plus they also look ten times better. I have a friend who blows his off but the dirt and grease never comes off like if you power wash it. All I have to say is go around the bearings but not over them and you will never have any problems. I have done this with all the combines I have ever owned "20 years" and I have never had any more bearings go out then my neighbor. I think if you blow them off there is a chance you force dirt into the seals of the bearings and cause the seals to weaken even quicker. But this is only my opinion.