hay elevator drive chain

[canucklehead]

I have a 30' Allied hay elevator. I am NOT referring to the long conveyer chain, I am asking about the smaller drive chain that turns the gears. It is a 90 pin 35 chain. It came off a couple of times in a row, and then the master link popped off. Of course I can't find it . The chain was quite loose. There appears to be no ability to adjust chain tension. The pins seem tight on the old chain and it measures 33.75" over the 90 pins. A brand new chain measures 33.5" over the same.

If i cut a link out, I'll loose .75" and that may be too tight and short to get a master link on it.

Does .25" of length difference mean my old chain is too stretched? Like I said, the pins aren't sloppy or loose. Any suggestions?

just to clarify: one side of the elevator has an electric motor and belt driven pulley. The pulley connects to a long shaft that has a fixed-in-place, non adjustable small drive gear on the end opposite of the pulley. There is a larger second gear that in turn spins a sprocket for the conveyor chain. These 2 gears are driven by the 35 chain that keeps popping off and seems slack.

your help is sincerely appreciated!!

 

[Egon]

What do the drive gears look like?

Are the gears aligned in the same plane?

 

[5030]

I have the same elevator. Though my chain isn't that loose yet. I'm anticipating grinding a pin out and then reinserting the master link.

I thought about making a spring loaded slipper shoe to tension the chain.

 

[zzvyb6]

Are you sure the bearings on the intermediate shaft aren't slotted so that you can take up the slack? Mine are. Another option might be a 1/2 link. Maybe you can slot the drive shaft bearing blocks and shift it a bit.

One last option would be to put a toothed idler wheel in the driveline to put some tension on it.

 

[dweitzel]

Bicycle chain and master link from walmart? If I remember that was what I used on mine. Grind the pin and punch out or go to a bike shop and have them punch the link out for you with their tool. Worked on mine, but a picture of your setup may help others chime in.

 

[638]

They do make half links. A bearing house will have them.

 

[canucklehead]

I had a better look today. the large gear seems off of plane. Top half is tight to the edge (about 3/16"), and the botton half is probably 3/8" from the edge. I could see the chain had a twist when I put it back in place.

I noticed a lot of baling twine wrapped around the conveyer chain gear that this large gear is connected to (this large gear drives the conveyor gear). I tried hacking away the twine ( a much bigger PITA than I thought it would be). It almost looks like the conveyor gear bolts onto the same shaft, and there might be a nylon insert or sleeve inside that same shaft. Looked like some twine might still be wedged inside. Wondering if the twine helped knock the shaft & gear out of kilter??

The large gear that looks bent is welded onto the shaft. I will take some pics and post.

thanks all of you, those were all good answers from people that obviously know a few things.

I thought about bike chain too, cuz it seems pretty close. But the master link wasn't long enuf.

638, you are correct about half links. I was told the same thing by one of our more knowledgeable local tractor dealers. The other dealer was clueless and said my chain was obsolete (described over phone; I told them it looked like bicycle chain). Not sure how a half link works but it should be straightforward when I see it. I think if my chain were tighter, it'd wear out quickly and the slack is close to correct. I think the twist motion is the problem.

 

[Egon]

http://www.harmonycentral.com/servl.../102-1871-5-13964/Chainrepairtoolinaction.JPG

If the chain can be replaced by bicycle chain there is tool for taking it apart and putting it together. No master link require.

Note: bicycle chain that is used on multi speed bicycles cannot use a chain with a master link.

 

[canucklehead]

Egon, do you have a Princess Auto in Nova Scotia, or is it a western Canada store chain (started in Manitoba)? I bought a 10' section of 35 chain from them, plus I also bought 2 spare master links for $2.

How do I align a gear that appears welded onto a shaft? Do you think twine could have jammed up in the shaft sleeve?

I will get some pics, it might be easier to help if you see it.

 

[Egon]

Princess auto in Halifax.

For the gear welded to the shaft you may have to unweld it. Then make sure the shaft is properly sized and smooth. Next the gear has to center properly on the shaft and be at 90 degrees to the shaft.

That portion may be easier done at a shop.

If the shaft is a commom size and the gear is also it may be easier to replace them.:thumbsup: