Combines Used the socket on feeder chain trick

[Meldrum_Farm]

Hello Everyone, It was too cold (for me)to combine, so I checked out suggestions from Dan and Winchester. 1. All compression springs are at the proper distance-didn't see any bottoming out. 2. Rear conveyor slats are a bit rounded-that will be a warm-weather grinding job, both for front and rear slats. 3. No dirt or wearthrough in the conveyor floors. 4. Rear belt tensioner is attached to a small hydraulic cylinder for the feeder reverser. There is no adjustment bolt; only the spring. Is there a way to increase the leverageIJ Can see how it could bounce when cold or under load-haven't ever had an alarm for rear conveyor though. 5. No obvious flow restrictions from the strippers behind the table auger, flow seems to be equally smooth on both sides. 6. Checked the anti-wrap guards as Winchester suggested, nothing wrapped around them-I wouldn't have thought to look until he made that good suggestion. You are right about the weather conditions. No doubt people could write a book on adaptations required for wet_cold_muddy conditions. It looks like the swath will(occasionally)enter the conveyor hard enough to push the front feeder drum both back and upwards simultaneously, so I can see how that would make a chain jump. That was why I wondered if there were heavier compression springs, or whether the original springs could weaken over time. Feel better having checked out those suggestions from everyone. They are much appreciated. Thanks David

 

[NDDan]

I've seen a couple different ways of tentioning rear feed belt tighter. One is to run spring upward and secure to bottom of grain tank area. Another is help currant spring with a tarp strap or two right along it. What we do is raise the anchor point for spring on idler arm about 5" higher. We do this simply by welding a piece of iron right onto currant anchor point and anchor spring to end of new iron. looks factory and I don't think it over tentions belt at all. Trouble with that rear belt sliping is it will just slow up a bit and front chain will start pulling heavy or plug. This can cause front chain to jump also. Rear chain usually won't slow down enough for light to come on before front end has you stopped. Have a good one.