Machine purchasing

[coachlickiss]

I am interested in a few larger pieces of equipment, JD 8130/8230 and 9400/50 combine. I have read on combine forum that it might be advisable to check operating bearing temps with an IR gun. Sounds good, how/what do you compare values? Check numerous bearings and look for an oddball? Are these nominal values published anywhere? Is sampling oil and getting lab analysis worth the effort, or only if you detect foul smell or discoloration? I used oil analysis religiously in USN, but I don't know about cost/benefit in this case. I truly appreciate any and all feedback re these questions or these machines in general.

 

[jenkinsph]

The advantage to using an IR gun is that if you can see the bearing you can point and shoot the temperature while it is running. Comparison is made to other bearings on the machine and a bad bearing will show up as hot (higher temps than surrounding bearings). If you buy an IR gun try to get one with a spot/distance ratio of about 30:1, usually has a circle of red leds' that mark the zone being tested.


About oil sampling, lots of large companies such as Cat and Deere put alot of stock in this analysis. Obviously the time spent in interpetation of the results is key here. Some labs doing the analysis have more capabilites than others but I suspect alot can be found out that would be difficult to see with the naked eye.

 

[coachlickiss]

Thank you for your response.