John Deere 894 rake

[John S-B]

So I picked up a JD 894 rake yesterday, (yeah, I've read some people don't like JD 894 rakes, I got it cheap) and I've got a couple of questions concerning the bearing and sprocket that drives the reel. The sprocket is really worn, and from what I've gathered, it's doubtful that JD is going to have that part. Same with the bearing. The bearing I imagine I can probably find somewhere else with the same dimensions. The sprocket though would seem to be harder to find since half of the universal joint attaches to it. Would a machine shop be able to build up the sprocket teeth? I can probably flip it to the side with less wear for a while if need be. The shaft that the bearing is on has been worn down a bit as well, could that be built back up also?? The bearing seized so it spun on the shaft a bit. Other than a little slop in the axle on the right side, (which I can fix with some washers) the rake will be ready for the field once I get the sprocket and bearing problems resolved.

 

[Bob]

DEERE still has your #E10154 11-tooth 2060 chain sprocket available for some $120.

"2060" is "extended pitch" chain, meaning it only has 1/2 the links fer foot as standard #60 chain (cheaper to make, light-duty use), and the sprockets are made to fit it.

As an alternative, you could replace the sprocket with a standard-pitch 22-tooth #60 weld-a-sprocket for less than $20 (whch the chain will also fit) and have the bore machined to fit and 4 holes drilled.

If you have to pay machine shop prices for that work, you probably may as well get a new one form DEERE, though!

 

[John S-B]

Bob, thanks for the info. With the teeth I'm replacing, and this sprocket issue, I'm still doing well, because I'll have paid half of what the going rate for rakes is around here. I didn't mind going a bit cheap on the rake, I'm getting back into doing hay (crazy, I know!) and I want to put more money into a better baler and mower than last time. I just need a rake to do 5 acres for a few years and then maybe buy a better one. I'm looking at getting a new wheel rake then.

 

[jacksun65]

I have an 894 for years, paid $150 for it. Guy broke the cast hitch and put it in a fence row, almost new. Welded up a hitch a little longer than stock works great. keep it greased and don't tow it down the road.

 

[John S-B]

The hitch on this one has a bunch of heavy, but crappy looking welds. The person who did it cobbled it up so heavy you could probably pull a semi, but it isn't pretty. But I'll take functional over pretty.

 

[John S-B]

Okay, so JD had the sprocket, for a mere $117. The bearing was a scant $30... (cheap in the world of green paint...)
They didn't have the hub this all goes on, but I think I can have a shop build it up fairly easy, or mill it down to put a bushing on.

I got to cleaning up the parts, and found some more problems, but none that will be game stoppers I think. There was so much grease on things, I didn't notice that what I thought was a retainer ring in four pieces was actually supposed to be one piece, with the ring that went between the bearing and sprocket being part of that ring. It broke so evenly I though it was supposed to be that way. Oh well, I'll see if they have that, if not I'm sure the shop can fab that pretty easily.
The Right side hub has a chunk out of it, and the pawl inside is broken. I think I can live without that, as the guy I bought it off of had clearly used it for some time that way. I think whomever he bought it from knew about it, but didn't tell him. Looks like he hit a big rock or something. Anyway, I'll try to eventually find a junk 894 with a good right hub.
I'm still not too deep into this $ wise, and I've got plenty of time to get it done before hay season. I replaced any teeth that were missing, plus got a few spares, I'm just waiting for TSC to get in a few more of the clips to hold them in place. I had to flatten there stock clips out a little to get them to hold tight, but they'll be fine.