My combine harvester has a problem

[flatcat]

Hi,
Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong area, but my combine harvester seems to have a problem that the bales in the top half of the chute don't want to move because the chute won't allow them to pass because it is too narrow.

Has anyone else had this problem, or know a solution, or should I risk ordering a new chute as the problem is quite annoying
 (not that I enjoy pushing it aroung the carpet seeing the bales come out )

[Rasputin]

Hi Flatcat 

   I have the older red version and it does not seem to have any problem feeding the bales to the rear. If you are already thinking of ordering a new part it would not hurt to experiment with the old one first. Maybe heating it up and stretching the side walls out. I would try heating it with boiling water first as you are not trying to bend it altogether just stretch it open a few millimeters . If it gets ruined then you could just order a new one. I have had good luck with parts that were fatigued and needed to be tightened up like horses necks etc.....

    Good luck on the repair and happy harvesting of the carpet fiber 
   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

[flatcat]

Thanks Rasputin, I'll give it a go!

[playmofire]

The problem seems to be that the bales aren't square in the chute, they're at an angle and so the widest part of the bale is catching on the left hand side of the chute in the picture.  Maybe the bales are too small or the piece they are resting on isn't in right.  Whatever the problem, get the replacement part BEFORE you attempt any changes to the original.

[Rasputin]

Hi Flatcat 

   Ya like Gordon said do not ruin your old one. I was just saying you can give it a slight stretch open. Taking care not to break or damage the part. Boiling a part is tricky and moving the part often is recommended as to avoid the part resting on the bottom of the pan where the the heat is concentrated. I do not know how old you are but if you are not familiar with boiling water have an adult help you out I have squeezed many horses neck joint tight due to the head not staying upright. In this case, that is if the bales are indeed in alignment you will want to open it slightly. 

   I tend to take more chance on newer part figuring they are easy enough to replace. If this was on old part that is hard to get I would practice on something else first.

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

[flatcat]

Thanks Rasputin and Playmofire,

It's definately the width that's the problem (I just placed the bales in there to show where they were getting stuck)

I'll give it a try - I definately think i'll need the 'parental supervision', as I am no good with anything in the kitchen

[playmofire]

An alternative approach would be to take on bale and sand it down lightly at each end, checking regularly how it feeds.

[flatcat]

After taking the chute out, and measuring and checking all the sides and passing a bale up and down it different ways, I have sort of come to the conclusion that the whole thing has be made on the bonk, and the sides are slightly curved in right up to the back wall, which I don't think any amount of heating or bending would cure