Wineslob
Member
Rip, if you can still read it, there should be a number stamped into the sprocket that will ID the pitch and bore size.
Grain Elevator broke sprocket - need advice
- Thread starter riptides
- Start date
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That is a grain elevator. Its being used for hay lifting, probably by turning the square bales on their side. No problem. I do the same thing with a 1932 New Idea grain elevator.
The sprockets themselves are hard to come by, but are commonly used on this link type of chain. I'd tack weld it back on the shaft, or drill a hole through it and push a drive pin into it. Be careful to align it exactly the same as its partner on the other side. The grain dams that lift the hay bales are cross connected to the opposite side, so your sprocket teeth have to be in the same exact orientation. The bearings are standard at a TSC store as is the conveyer chain (several chain link lengths, though). To make and break the chain connection easier, they also have a conveyer chain holder. You put the chain in there, turn it 90 degrees and wack it with a hammer.
It looks like you are running the elevator in direct drive from the tractor PTO. These rigs usually have a chain gear reduction shaft to run the action at "walking" speed.
BTW: The sprockets are usually pinned to the shaft. I replaced the solid pins with split roll pins to make disassembly easier the next time. They aren't as strong but are sure easier to push out. (Hope there is no "next time", though).
The sprockets themselves are hard to come by, but are commonly used on this link type of chain. I'd tack weld it back on the shaft, or drill a hole through it and push a drive pin into it. Be careful to align it exactly the same as its partner on the other side. The grain dams that lift the hay bales are cross connected to the opposite side, so your sprocket teeth have to be in the same exact orientation. The bearings are standard at a TSC store as is the conveyer chain (several chain link lengths, though). To make and break the chain connection easier, they also have a conveyer chain holder. You put the chain in there, turn it 90 degrees and wack it with a hammer.
It looks like you are running the elevator in direct drive from the tractor PTO. These rigs usually have a chain gear reduction shaft to run the action at "walking" speed.
BTW: The sprockets are usually pinned to the shaft. I replaced the solid pins with split roll pins to make disassembly easier the next time. They aren't as strong but are sure easier to push out. (Hope there is no "next time", though).
Soooo you're the reason it started raining here 3 days ago and has hardly quit!!Get a load of hay on a truck or trailer, cut and laid down or even raked and here comes the rain! Actually, we needed it!
...
Of course, full hay wagons are rain makers!Unfortunate, no markings found.
Excellent advise. Yes, I flip the bales and up they went. Unfortunate, there is not enough of the sprocket left to drill through. It had a set screw in it, which broke and took a good portion of the srocket with it.
Your correct, sadly,
, I am having a tough time finding another one.My wife priced out a new elevator, well over 1300.
Guess what I was doing yesterday.
Egon
Epic Contributor
Just a suggestion:
You may be able to cut a duplicate sprocket from some steel plate and then weld that to the original hub. It's a temporary fix but as you don't use the elevator that much it may suffice.
Replacing the sprockets with rubber tires may work but tensioning may present problems. These tires would not have to be the same size as the sprockets but PTO RPM may have to be varied to adjust for the differential speed.
You may be able to cut a duplicate sprocket from some steel plate and then weld that to the original hub. It's a temporary fix but as you don't use the elevator that much it may suffice.
Replacing the sprockets with rubber tires may work but tensioning may present problems. These tires would not have to be the same size as the sprockets but PTO RPM may have to be varied to adjust for the differential speed.
tommu56
Elite Member
try a local bearing supply company.
tsc might have something.
Ive used these on some other instulations
page 8 in pdf split sprockets
http://www.martinsprocket.com/2001/SecEa.pdf#E8
Also I think your chain will be a double pitch type.
tom
tsc might have something.
Ive used these on some other instulations
page 8 in pdf split sprockets
http://www.martinsprocket.com/2001/SecEa.pdf#E8
Also I think your chain will be a double pitch type.
tom
jayste
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2008
- Messages
- 1,671
- Tractor
- 2004 Kubota M4800 SU
Guess what I was doing yesterday.
Uh, bucking bales I'm guessing!
Been there, done that! A bunch!Anyway, I stand corrected. ZZ is correct ,as you are, in that you're using a grain elevator as a hay elevator or conveyor. I did have to go back to your first pic to realize it. I guess my mind was seeing that last pic of the chain and sprocket?? The chain is similar to loader or conveyor chain...
I wish I had an answer for you. But I'm expecting, like others have said, TSC or NAPA or some one will have the bearings. Is it possible to roll around say 90 deg on the sprocket and drill another hole along with a hole in your shaft to run a pin through as ZZ mentioned? Also, the roll pins he mentioned would be more "forgiving" if you happen to oversize your hole for a solid pin.
Jay
Hey,
Figured I'd update this thread. After exhausting my search efforts for the sprocket, I gave it to a friend of mine. He used his vast network of knowledge and actually found someone who is machining them. So I have it in hand, but will need to weld the sprocket onto the sleeve supplied that rests on the shaft once I get it all lined up.
I also need to reconnect with another old friend who has one sitting in his field doing nothing. I could use it for parts. A lot of effort and time is spent getting this thing back on line for it's once a year (twice maybe) duty of pushing up the bales to the loft. But, it sure beats swinging them in by hand.
I'll post some pics of the new sprocket and sleeve later tonight when I get back.
Figured I'd update this thread. After exhausting my search efforts for the sprocket, I gave it to a friend of mine. He used his vast network of knowledge and actually found someone who is machining them. So I have it in hand, but will need to weld the sprocket onto the sleeve supplied that rests on the shaft once I get it all lined up.
I also need to reconnect with another old friend who has one sitting in his field doing nothing. I could use it for parts. A lot of effort and time is spent getting this thing back on line for it's once a year (twice maybe) duty of pushing up the bales to the loft. But, it sure beats swinging them in by hand.
I'll post some pics of the new sprocket and sleeve later tonight when I get back.
