Grain Bin Auger Issue

[Charles-KY]

My first time using an auger on my grain bin. Instructions were terrible on how to assemble. Did the best I could, but clearly I did something wrong. After about 5 tons of corn through it, the belt frayed and then popped. I noticed immediately that the auger shaft had worked itself out of the tube and that's why the belt popped. No obstructions, the base/gate is clean and the auger flows free by hand turning with ease. I have attached some pics. Any help is GREATLY appreciated! Thank you.

 

[kevin37b]

Whatever retains the end is wrong or broke . Auger is backing out .

 

[Scott 730]

(quoted from post at 13:40:04 11/14/23) Whatever retains the end is wrong or broke . Auger is backing out .

Auger would be pulling itself inward, no??

 

[matthies]

Looks like the lock collar came loose. Maybe you tightened the lock collar the wrong direction. Tighten the collar the opposite direction and try it out. You should be able to look at the punch marks of
the collar to see which way you tightened last time.

 

[flying belgian]

If you look at his pic of the hopper you can see the auger is not backing out. Further more the auger would pull itself in not out. The locking collar came loose on the shaft and the pulley worked out. Did you tighten the set screw on collar? You must have extra shaft sticking out end.

 

[paul]

Did your pulley move on the shaft?

Did the auger at both the top and the bottom of the auger move up?

Does your auger have 2 auger tubes bolted together in the middle? And is that bolt still in....

Got to be one of those 3 things? I can assume some things from the pics, but Ive learned not to assume too much.


Paul

 

[caterpillar guy]

I would take a look at the point where the angle starts and see if it was sort of in a bind from being put together then if all looks right then reset the collar by locking it in the opposite direction of travel so when the shaft turns it wants to get tighter as it turns. Then align your pulley again and try it. I use a long straight edge along the sides of the pulleys fo aligning them.I also make an allowance for the difference in the thickness of the pulley rim edge. How long is the auger? You might need a set of double belts. They usually sen a cursory pulley and belt for a generic set up. We added some length to an 8 inch load out auger on a bin so it was about 21or20 feet long. It would slip a bit under load with the currently used belt set up. I slowed the auger down slightly and added double belt pulleys now works fine with no slipage and doesn't splatter grain all over like it used to. I think I slowed it down from around 480something to closer to 450 RPMs works great and can't see a chnage in the flow. I do pull the slide out just a hair farther now. That might be the difference.

 

[Charles-KY]

Well, thats what I would have thought. Like drilling a hole. Its pulling material out, so I would have thought that it should be getting sucked down not out. Thats why I originally thought maybe corn cob, dust build up at base. But, nope. Weird.

 

[Charles-KY]

(quoted from post at 12:13:11 11/14/23) Did your pulley move on the shaft? NO. SOME ARE TALKING ABOUT THE LOCK COLLAR MOVING. I WILL HAVE TO LOOK IN TO THAT FURTHER. CLEARLY IT HAS MOVED.

Did the auger at both the top and the bottom of the auger move up? YES

Does your auger have 2 auger tubes bolted together in the middle? And is that bolt still in.... IT HAS AN EXTENSION PIECE AT THE BOTTOM. I WILL CHECK.

Got to be one of those 3 things? I can assume some things from the pics, but Ive learned not to assume too much.
THANKS PAUL

Paul

 

[Charles-KY]

I'm beginning to see that this is probably the issue. Never really worked with these collars before. I'm sure I probably put it on wrong. Like I said, the instructions were useless.

 

[Charles-KY]

This is the end when the auger is seated properly. I see no issues with it thus far. When the belt pops and the auger/pulley work itself out, it obviously comes out of the plastic collar.
Looking more like the locking collar is the issue.

This post was edited by Charles-KY on 11/15/2023 at 08:08 am.

 

[Charles-KY]

Locking collars are foreign to me. I am sure its simple, but not for me. lol I am sure I put it on wrong. I will have to check on this and see.

 

[kevin37b]

You are correct , Kevin .

 

[caterpillar guy]

I read your post and looked at your pictures. I also see where you got some grain out of the bin. SO I would guess that the auger is not running backwards though for the shaft to keep moving out it almost sounds like that is what is happening. IF not then disregard this.

 

[tom upton]

looks to me like the shaft pulley is mounted on is independent from the auger pipe and it is simply working its way out because the
eccentric lock collar is not locked on the bearing? Does the shaft move in and out of the auger on a spline or key or something? I know
this sounds wrong , but lock the eccentric locking collar in the direction of rotation Not opposite rotation. (I am assuming the collar
you can see behind the pulley in your first pic is the locking collar for the bearing) There should be a hole in collar to stick a punch
in and a setscrew to tighten down once locked. Obviosly push shaft back in if its keyed or splined. Often shaft would be bolted or even
welded to the inner pipe, but if that was the case your auger wouldnt be turning.
https://youtu.be/05mRKQFfqTc

 

[Charles-KY]

Will do. Thank you!

 

[Charles-KY]

(quoted from post at 05:03:24 11/16/23) I read your post and looked at your pictures. I also see where you got some grain out of the bin. SO I would guess that the auger is not running backwards though for the shaft to keep moving out it almost sounds like that is what is happening. IF not then disregard this.

I had it wired correctly at the motor. My electrician and I checked it to make sure that the direction was correct. I don't believe the unit has a reverse switch on it. (At least nothing I am aware of) Only a breaker reset switch on the motor.

 

[Charles-KY]

(quoted from post at 07:06:49 11/16/23) looks to me like the shaft pulley is mounted on is independent from the auger pipe and it is simply working its way out because the
eccentric lock collar is not locked on the bearing? Does the shaft move in and out of the auger on a spline or key or something? I know
this sounds wrong , but lock the eccentric locking collar in the direction of rotation Not opposite rotation. (I am assuming the collar
you can see behind the pulley in your first pic is the locking collar for the bearing) There should be a hole in collar to stick a punch
in and a setscrew to tighten down once locked. Obviosly push shaft back in if its keyed or splined. Often shaft would be bolted or even
welded to the inner pipe, but if that was the case your auger wouldnt be turning.
https://youtu.be/05mRKQFfqTc

That is the locking collar you see behind the large pulley. The auger just lays in the tube. It does spin freely. I am going to check the locking collar issue today. Clearly it does not belong in that spot and has shifted. Thanks Tom.

 

[Charles-KY]

Tom, Just wanted to say THANK YOU for the that Youtube locking collar video!!!! That is exactly what I needed. I wasn't really understanding the "directional' issue that guys were stating. Have a great day sir.