Misadventures with the combine

With so many moving parts strained to capacity while working in heat and dust, it’s amazing combines are as reliable as they are. Still, the list of potential problems and breakdowns is endless.

We probably suffer more than most because we’re running two combines that have now seen their 25th birthdays. The hours aren’t extremely high on these Massey 8780s, but a lot of wear and tear happens over that many years.

Combine 1 has a main drive belt that’s on its last legs. If it makes it through this year, it will definitely need to be changed. It’s a big job with a number of other belts needing removal to get at the bad one.

That isn’t the immediate problem. Right now, it’s sitting half full of chickpeas with the unloading auger extended and no way to empty the tank. It’s an electric over hydraulic system running a short hydraulic ram that presses a belt into action.

I can’t find the problem. Hopefully, a trusty long-time mechanic from town can figure it out later this morning. For the first time in many weeks, there’s actually a shower this morning. I’m sure it’s just because we have grain in an exposed hopper.

The unloader malfunction occurred just after another unexpected problem. A tension spring on the chopper drive belt decided to snap, resulting in a badly plugged chopper needing to be cleaned out one handful at a time.

Finding and installing a replacement tension spring turned out to be relatively easy, but the air turned a bit blue when the unloading auger stopped running minutes later.

Combine 2 has had its problems too. One day while combining brown mustard, an occasional thumping sound was coming from the feeder house. Maybe the feeder house chain needs to be a bit tighter, I thought. But that didn’t solve the problem and the thumping became serious.

Maybe a rock in the rock trap? Nope.

Maybe a slat had come loose on the chain and was rubbing? Nope.

Finally, we noticed the missing seal and exposed ball bearings. Would the dealership have such a large, oddball bearing? Yes, they did.

Could we get the old bearing out and the new one installed? A bit of luck. The aforementioned local mechanic was already coming out to address an air conditioning problem on the other combine. He could bring his cutting torch and tanks. He’s a lot more proficient with a torch than me.

Sparks flying inside the feeder house is always a bit disconcerting, but despite limited room between the tire and the side of the combine, the job was completed.

And oh, that air conditioning problem. A vibrating tin baffle beside the radiator had worn a tiny hole in the air conditioner’s drier. The dealership didn’t have a drier in stock, but a jobber unit is working fine.

One of the most amusing fixes of the year was the rotor speed monitor. It was out of alignment causing wonky readings and constant alarm bells. Problem is that it’s way up at the top of the feeder house.

Even with the header all the way down, it’s a tight fit. I’m not exactly skinny, I’m not very flexible and I have a bit of claustrophobia. I hope I don’t have to squeeze up there again any time soon.

If we ever grow a decent crop again, maybe it’ll be time for a newer combine with a different set of problems.