Combines rotor drive coupling

You can pull off the top of the "doghouse" in front of the driven pulley, but it will probably be hard to tell much about it without taking it loose from the gearbox. This can be accomplished without removing the whole rotor, but you have to take the driven pulley and gearbox off. You must support the rear of the rotor with a hoist. The hub has rubber inserts in the bolt holes where it is bolted to the rotor, and eventually the rubber wears out. Usually, this causes a pronouced "clunk" when the separator is engaged and can cause vibrations when the rotor is running. Do you have some symptoms that lead you to believe it is wornIJ By the time you take it loose to check it, you might as well plan on replacing it.

I have not had the machine in the field as of yet. I just want to check as much as I can because I would hate to be sitting for a day or so when I should be runnin'. Are you saying that I can replace the hub from the rear without removing the rotor from the machineIJIJ What would be a fair price for a 1997 model with spec. rotor, chopper, rock trap, flex head controls, bin extension, 2 wd, 2,400 rotor hoursIJ It has 3-strand feeder and the elevators are in good shape. I guess it will need about $3,000 in parts to go to the field in a ready condition.

My bet is it would be a whole lot simpler to pull the rotor than to pull the upper gearcase.

The hub can be replaced without pulling the whole rotor. But it would probably be easiest to take it loose up front and pull it. You don't have to take it all the way out to change the hub. If you don't have a shop equiped with a hoist, we have done it under a big oak tree. If you pull it, go ahead and change the front bearing too. And check out the upper drum in the throat when since you'll have to have it off anyway. I would say a 2188 with that many hours would probably be worth $50,000 or so. Keep in mind that I'm talking selling price, not asking price. We looked at a '96 2188 with 1600 separator hours that we almost purchased for $60,000 last year. It didn't have chopper or rock trap, but was 4WD. We decided not to purchase it when we found a 98 2388 4WD with 1100 sep hrs for $70,000 with a 25' 1020. They had been asking over $80,000, but we were able to talk them down. Good luck with your combine. If you're not real familiar with them, it may be better to get a good mechanic to check it over for you. May save you time and money in the long run.