Chain coupler

[super99]

How often or do lube your chain couplers? When I bought my first 1850 back in 1973, Dick Hopson said to spray it regularly with WD40. I have had to replace a few over the years but they seem to last longer if lubricated. The last one that I had to replace was on the 1550 out in Iowa on the WMT tractorcade a couple of years ago. Heading up a big hill when it went and tractor stopped immediately and started rolling backwards. I steered onto the shoulder and set the brakes. The coupler was laying in the road, so I walked out and picked it up and dropped it like a hot potato! Too hot to handle! I got towed by a super MTA to the next break and then rode the sag wagon back to Maquokata. Called Roeder Bros Agco dealer in town and they had a new one, so I picked it up and had it on by the time my group got back. I just had it off working on the clutch and the long cotter pin has quite a bit of wear on it. Probably should replace the cotter pin every couple of years.

 

[rrlund]

I don't. Seems like JS was telling one time that they did some testing at the dealership one time and found that they didn't last as long if they were lubed. Anybody else remember him mentioning that?

 

[scootergmc]

I don't. Seems like JS was telling one time that they did some testing at the dealership one time and found that they didn't last as long if they were lubed. Anybody else remember him mentioning that?

I seem to remember something similar, whereby it was concluded the couplers were better if dry and dust magnets if lubed. Somewhere I heard it, maybe it was in one of Chris Losey's videos on youtube.

 

[jhwis]

I don't. Seems like JS was telling one time that they did some testing at the dealership one time and found that they didn't last as long if they were lubed. Anybody else remember him mentioning that?

Last time I lubed it the cotter pins popped out of the master link. That was ten years ago. Have not touched it since.

 

[super99]

Not trying to start a war, just trying to understand the logic. Most farm machines have roller chains, combines, planters, hay handling equipment, etc. Do you lube the roller chains on these other machines? Most everyone I've been around oils the chains so they last longer, why would the chain coupler be different??

 

[tom upton]

This has been discussed before. I am still on the lubrication is best side of the argument, but even with no lube a new chain is going to last a long time. I worked in an industry that used a ton of chain couplings and have discussed with Tsubaki's chain "expert" about lube on "open" chain couplings. Albeit most applications used a cover there were still some that ran open not unlike our beloved Oliver designed chain couplings. Granted a lot of sawmill maintainence teams were not that much different than a farmer would be so couplings would often go without a lot of preventative maintainence. I think the most important thing is to ensure alignment is good, to prevent wear and tear not only on the chain and coupling halves, but a lot of the rest of the driveline as well. Problem is it is hard to do a proper alignment as there aint much room for a dial indicator setup, so I would imagine most just give her the old eyeball alignment which depending on the eyeball may or may not be that great? I do agree that keeping chain cleaned and lubed is a pain as it needs to be done frequently, but I swear that I can hear when chain needs lubed. I will blow it off and oil it and noise goes away. Better still remove chain, clean it and let it soak in oil overnight. That said I get lazy and dont do it often enough. Something I guess you would say I still have in the R and D stage is I managed to get a Lambda lube free double roller chain on a 1655 I bought a couple years ago that the original chain was wore out on. I probably have at least a couple hundred hours on it now and so far so good. The problem with this chain is it is not only tight to get on, you must ensure your alignment is very good as it has the center plates where the OEM chain has no center plate which allows for more angular misalignment.

 

[rrlund]

Not trying to start a war, just trying to understand the logic. Most farm machines have roller chains, combines, planters, hay handling equipment, etc. Do you lube the roller chains on these other machines? Most everyone I've been around oils the chains so they last longer, why would the chain coupler be different??

I guess I'd theorize that in a roller chain application, the chain is rolling. As a chain coupler, yes, it's rotating, but basically it's stationary otherwise as long as the alignment is correct.

 

[sonnythomas]

How often or do lube your chain couplers? When I bought my first 1850 back in 1973, Dick Hopson said to spray it regularly with WD40. I have had to replace a few over the years but they seem to last longer if lubricated. The last one that I had to replace was on the 1550 out in Iowa on the WMT tractorcade a couple of years ago. Heading up a big hill when it went and tractor stopped immediately and started rolling backwards. I steered onto the shoulder and set the brakes. The coupler was laying in the road, so I walked out and picked it up and dropped it like a hot potato! Too hot to handle! I got towed by a super MTA to the next break and then rode the sag wagon back to Maquokata. Called Roeder Bros Agco dealer in town and they had a new one, so I picked it up and had it on by the time my group got back. I just had it off working on the clutch and the long cotter pin has quite a bit of wear on it. Probably should replace the cotter pin every couple of years.

I would say, just spray WD40 on the chain while running to get rid of dirt, dust and debris. WD40, great for helping loosening things, is not the best lubricant as it dries out.

 

[farmersamm]

I spray it down about every 2hrs, or less, when in the field. Do NOT use something like WD40..........it's not actually a lube.....it's a water dispersant.

The best lubes are the thin ones......like Blaster Chain lube https://www.grainger.com/product/48...p.ds&msclkid=511fd566202e1195ead6b21a7198c04b, or other dedicated chain lubes. They will penetrate the joints, and roller shafts.

The crap that foams up, or otherwise claims to cling to the chain, is not the right lube. They don't penetrate, and attract all sorts of crud.

Find a lube that will spray a long thin stream without the straw that comes on the can. You want to stay clear of any moving components, and you want something that will SOAK the chain as it spins. IN CASE I FORGOT......LUBE IT WHILE RUNNING....WORKS FINE.

I run chain lube on EVERY chain on all equipment. Multiple times during the day. I, Honest to God, do not replace chains unless they break due to a seized shaft, or some other catastrophic event. I might go through maybe 2+ cans a day, but it's cheap compared to down time, or buying good quality roller chain. Chain lube will keep you running, and keep you from buying chain.

Think of it this way.............. Even a chain that gets covered in dirt.........will still get covered in dirt if it's dry. You want to lube the roller shafts at the very least. Otherwise just let it run, and eat itself up(shrug).

Don't confuse chain with open gears....................open gears often do not benefit from aggressive lube.........chain always does.

Waste oil doesn't penetrate as well as the commercial chain lube in my experience.

 

[farmersamm]

Should be two things on any machine............a grease gun, and multiple cans of chain lube. IMHO

 

[farmersamm]

Just revisited this thread........................

I guess the question is whether the lube provides a cushion, as most lubes do............or simply attracts dirt.........or a bit of both.

Does the lube protect against fretting, or attract crud which somewhat acts as a lapping compound.

 

[RCP]

I have done it both ways and have not seen a discernable difference, what I do like to do is to soak the chain in a container of gear oil before installing it, of course this makes the installation messy.

 

[EX Deere Farmer]

I have found that just regular diesel fuel works pretty good on these type of coupler chains. Most lubricants will not stay in the chain any way and they can attract dust/grit that wears out the chains. The diesel fuel mainly cleans the chain while not usually attracting things.

 

[scootergmc]

Talked to my old retired Oliver/White mechanic friend on this subject. In his 42 years they never oiled a chain.

 

[trackrat]

i worked part time in the late 60s and early 70s for a oliver / ac dealer oliver service reps told us to never oil the chain coupler on 4 digit tractors because it attracted too much dirt and grit

 

[The Old Codger]

I've never oiled them either but when replacing always use new coupling halves, and sealed roller chain. These chains have "O" ring seals with the lube sealed inside the rollers. Never have seen any fail in over 40 years of using them. Uncle has an 1850 Oliver and the "Diamond" chain/couplers I installed back in 78 are still on it.