John Deere 6600 setup for beans?

[Anonymous-0]

Anyone know how I should set up my 1978 6600 for beans with a 13ft head. I Cant seem to find anyone who knows how to set the springs for the header. How many do I need and where do I Need them. any ifo would be great.

 

[Doug in IL]

Brian, I ran a '77 6600 until recently. My combine had 5 springs under it. My head was a 213 black flex head with pickup reel. The manual called for 4 springs with a 13 foot straight grain head. But, the straight grain head would be a little lighter than the pickup flex head. My combine had 2 springs on each side and one in the middle. Have you tried your setup out yet? What problems are you having with it?

 

[Brian Mallak]

Im also running the flexhead. I just purchased the combine and I believe it has 6 or 8 springs, the previous owner ran a must have ran a larger head. I am having trouble getting the electric header to work properly, it doesnt lift up soon enough and Im sure the springs have something to do with it.

 

[Doug in IL]

But it does lift up right? If not, there are two long pins at the front of the spring framework. that have to be removed for the springs to work. The pins need to be out for the bean head and in for the cornhead. Don't try to change heads with the pins removed either. If the pins are out, your spring set could well be too much for your head running with float springs alone. Also, if you are running with the header control electronics, there is a 3 or 4 position rotary switch on the right side of the head. I have seen them need to have the mounting screw slots on that switch elongated for the switch to obtain all it's positions. Mine had to be elongated. My head was a Dial A Matic that had been originally on a 6620. My 6600 just had the Auto Header Control. I needed to elongate the screw slots and get a wiring adapter from my dealer to get it to work correctly. Even then, mine always seemed to raise too soon to suit me. If you are running without the header control, then the float springs you have are most probably too much for the weight of your head. As I recall, there is some limited adjustment to the spring tension via the threaded rods in the end of the spring.

 

[Brian Mallak]

yes I know about the pins. How much tension is there suppose to be on the springs? how do you set them. I did move the switch a little bit already but I didnt wanna go to far untill I new I had the springs pretty close. Thanks

 

[Doug in IL]

Ok, Brian! I finally found the Float Spring Attachment Operators Manual. It says to adjust the springs until 150 pounds of lift, on a spring type scale, is required to manually lift the head up. It says never to have more than a 3 1/2 inch gap between the spring casting and the front channel iron, or the springs could bottom out. It says you should start the adjustment process with the head tight on the ground, with enough pressure to open up a 1 1/2 inch gap between the channels at rest. ( I don't remember ever doing this 1 1/2 inch thing, but maybe I did) Says to tighten up the longest springs first. If you can't get the adjustment to 150 pounds, you have to add or remove springs. Book says 4 springs on a 6600 with a 13' pickup reel. 5 springs with a 14' pick up reel. I know mine 213 flex had 5 springs. If you want, you can call me this evening, after 7 pm (Central time) and I could read you some more of this info. 309-668-3247.

 

[Brian Mallak]

How do you measure the 150lbs of manual lift?? I guess I just dont quite understand that part. Thanks for all the info its been very helpful. I wish I could find a manual for it.

 

[Brian Mallak]

what is the part number on the front of your manual for the float springs. I found one on ebay and IM wondering if its the right one
The one Im looking at is

OM-H?85224 ISSUE 12 THANKS AGAIN

 

[Doug in IL]

That's the same number as my manual.

 

[Doug in IL]

They are measring it with a spring scale. It shows a picture of a guy pulling up on a spring scale hooked to the front of one of the divider points. Looks like one of those 300 pound spring scales some guys weigh deer with. I have one. I have seen them at the local farm supply store.