Gleaner E3 Variable Speed

[FordTractorMan]

I was combining soybeans Tuesday evening and noticed a vibration/rumble/growl under the cab of my E3 Gleaner. It was intermittent then. Yesterday (Wed.), after a couple of hours, it became noticably louder and more constant. I was running in 1st gear w/the v.s. wide open. I noticed last night after I shut down that all 3 studs are missing from the variable speed driven sheave. In fact, one fell out this summer during wheat but I found it lying on the shed floor & screwed it back in. Any idea what's going on??

 

[JMS/.MN]

I"d release belt tension and check for worn bearings, housing, etc. Sheaves can wear unevenly. Without looking in the parts book, I would assume there is an internal bearing to offset the outer one- if that is worn, the shaft could wobble. There are replaceable bushings in the sheaves that guide on those pins. If they are elongated, replace them. Loctite on the pins. Never had any come loose, but....

 

[FordTractorMan]

What function do those studs serve, anyway?

 

[JMS/.MN]

They guide the sheave as it moves back and forth when you change speeds.

 

[FordTractorMan]

I've got 13 acres of soybeans to finish. If I grease the mess out of the v.s., can I get by w/o the studs, or would I be tearing things up something serious?

 

[jbp]

Those 3 studs pin the two halves of the sheive together. Without the studs you are getting only power to one side and the other side is freewheeling on the shaft. Good way to destroy the traction belt.$$$$$$

 

[Bob Bancroft]

There's an O-ring on one side of the moving sheave half to keep grease from getting on the belt. If everything in there is worn, and you grease it excessively, you risk lubricating the belt just when you want to get done!
I agree with the others. Loctite the threads on those studs, get them in and give them some time to harden, grease it sparingly, and hopefully finish up.

 

[FordTractorMan]

Thanks, guys. I found 2 studs at the junkyard and will borrow a 3rd from my friend's K2 (he's mainly a cattle farmer and had no crops this year). Plan to use blue loctite on them and put them in this afternoon & let them sit overnight. Hope to get done tomorrow or Monday.

 

[Anonymous-0]

i had the same problem last year with my combine. i hade to get a bushing put in the outer sheave. i think the problem came from not having my main shaft ajusted evenly.what ever it was all seams good so far this year.

 

[Brian in MI]

Be glad you found those pins. My "E" uses the same, priced out new from AGCO, $35 each.
ended up having a friend weld and turn them on a lathe.