John Deere Side Delivery Rake - Help Identifying Model

[My53Jubilee]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a John Deere Side delivery rake, and it has a plate on it, but no model number is listed. It only has a serial number.
The serial number is 111824E. The guy I bought it from says he thinks it is a 640. Can you help me verify what model of rake I have? I can post pictures if you need them, but wanted to start with the serial number.

Thanks!

 

[Tx Jim]

Posting photo would definitely help ID your rake.

 

[My53Jubilee]

Photo attached. Thanks for the quick reply. Let me know if you need different angles or close-up photos. It is a 4 bar rake.

 

[My53Jubilee]

I attached a photo to the post.

 

[Tx Jim]

A closer up photo would help.

Is frt wheel axle attached on both sides or just one side? If axle attaches on both sides of fork your rake is a model 640 as you thought.

 

[My53Jubilee]

I can't tell because they have done some after market welding on it. can you tell by the photo I posted?

Thanks

 

[Tx Jim]

No I can't see well enough. That's the reason I stated a closer up photo would help ID your rake.

 

[My53Jubilee]

Posting more pictures now.

 

[My53Jubilee]

more photos.

 

[My53Jubilee]

 

[My53Jubilee]

more photos...

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]The guy I bought it from says he thinks it is a 640[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Agree.

Refurbished our 640 several years ago.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PlcFC8Di37s" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Tx Jim]

Yes X2 it's a model 640

 

[My53Jubilee]

Thank you!

 

[My53Jubilee]

Looks really nice. Maybe I will refurbish someday.

 

[My53Jubilee]

Do you know where I can get an operators manual, so I can follow the steps for proper maintenance - gear box, greasing, etc.?

 

[My53Jubilee]

James, can you help me with height adjustment on the left side / gear box side? The rod is all the way in, with no more room for adjustment, and the teeth are still lightly scraping the ground. How can I add some more adjustment room back into the left crank rod. I may need to add some air to the tires, but I don't think that will be enough.

Thank you!

 

[Tx Jim]

If I'm thinking about your situation correctly add some washers between original washer(key 4) & spring(key 5) should cause LH end of reel teeth
to be higher. Operators manual can be procured from JD or possibly Ebay

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]How can I add some more adjustment room back into the left crank rod[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Take a look at the [b:654c4848f0]REEL SUSPENSION[/b:654c4848f0] diagram below.

Note the link assembly (Key 29).

First, I would remove the link assembly.

Note the hanger (Key 21).

You might consider using a piece of flat stock and drill two holes to make a "[i:654c4848f0]custom[/i:654c4848f0]" hanger.

Another alternative would be to use a turn buckle.

Regardless of the hanger you use, I would recommend turning the L.H. crank (Key 3), with the link assembly removed, all the way out to lower the reel as far as possible.

There should be little or no tension on the spring.

Next, use a jack to raise the reel until the rake teeth are just touching the ground.

Install your "[i:654c4848f0]custom[/i:654c4848f0]" hanger.

Turn the L.H. crank in to adjust the reel height.

Hope this helps.

 

[My53Jubilee]

James, thank you so much for that set of instructions. I think the custom hanger is going to do the trick. Question...I almost feel like the left hand delivery rake is overbalanced to the left side. Is that possible, and will that be solved by the custom hanger process that you suggested? I think I am well on my way to getting this rake ready to go. Thank you!

 

[My53Jubilee]

use a turn buckle for the link assembly, or the hanger? Does the link assembly get put back in place, the fix that you described?

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]I almost feel like the left hand delivery rake is overbalanced to the left side. Is that possible[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Yes.

Take a look at the illustration below.

Pure speculation on my part, but the GEAR CASE adds extra weight on the left side.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]will that be solved by the custom hanger process that you suggested[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Yes, if the "[i:654c4848f0]custom[/i:654c4848f0]" hanger is shorter in length than the original John Deere link assembly.

Hope this helps.

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Does the link assembly get put back in place, the fix that you described[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

No, keep it as a spare for the right side.

 

[My53Jubilee]

Thank you, James. I will try this out and report back on how it goes.

 

[My53Jubilee]

Is the part circled in red (photo attached) the part that I need to replace with something shorter?

I can't find where the parts in the rectangle box (including Key 21) are on the rake. Thanks.

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Is the part circled in red (photo attached) the part that I need to replace with something shorter[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Yes.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]I can't find where the parts in the rectangle box (including Key 21) are on the rake[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Take a look at our other 640 rake.

Pure speculation on my part, but the "[i:654c4848f0]parts in the rectangle box[/i:654c4848f0]" may have been installed on newer rakes.

 

[James Howell]

You're welcome; hopefully it will be an easy fix.

 

[My53Jubilee]

James, the picture you posted illustrates it very clearly now. So helpful, the way you annotate and draw the red lines/boxes. I now have all the information I need to get her tuned up. I will post the results here. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 09:04:24

Pure speculation on my part, but the "[i:a1445aa14c]parts in the rectangle box[/i:a1445aa14c]" may have been installed on newer rakes.

Actually according to 640 parts catalog(keys 17-25) should be on older rakes below sn -19500

 

[My53Jubilee]

What pitch position should I use, for starters? right now, it is pitched all the way forward. See photo.

 

[My53Jubilee]

(quoted from post at 09:26:41 11/22/20)

(quoted from post at 09:04:24

Pure speculation on my part, but the "[i:725d49f4dc]parts in the rectangle box[/i:725d49f4dc]" may have been installed on newer rakes.

Actually according to 640 parts catalog(keys 17-25) should be on older rakes below sn -19500

The serial number on the plate says 111824E. that is above 19500, right? My plate is odd, no model number and the serial number includes a letter "E". Definitely learned something about the parts diagram - listing a serial number range for some of the parts. Thank you.

 

[My53Jubilee]

OK, I found a big part of the balance and height problems. Drive shaft is seized up and does not telescope in and out freely. It is not bent. Is this something I can fix, do you think, or will I need to replace the drive shaft?

 

[Tx Jim]

Ok you're making progress.
Raise drive shaft straight up so maybe PBblaster can seep down into telescoping area?? I suggest holding a hammer on 1 side of drive shaft &amp; gently tapping opposite side of drive shaft with a smaller hammer hoping to shake some rust/corrosion loose. Next attach come-along to apply pulling pressure while tapping with hammer. If tapping &amp; come-along doesn't free shaft to telescope then heat is the next option

 

[James Howell]

Agree.

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]What pitch position should I use, for starters[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Take a look at the illustration below.

Note the orientation of the pitch control.

Take a look at the photo below.

Note the orientation of the pitch control.

You might consider reading the information in the operator's manual discussing the use of the pitch control.

Determine which position best fits your raking situation and needs.

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]The serial number on the plate says 111824E. that is above 19500, right[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Yes.

 

[My53Jubilee]

Very little was required to get the drive shaft loose. I knocked it with a hammer, took the shaft out, oiled it, put it back together. Now, there is 2 inches that telescopes at the bottom, as you travel along. I am all fixed now. Amazing! This forum is so helpful. Thanks, James and Tx Jim.

(see photo of drive shaft NOW!)

 

[My53Jubilee]

Thank you! I will have to get the operators manual, now that I got it up to snuff.

 

[My53Jubilee]

I am going to close down this thread...my height adjustment problems are solved. The two main changes I made were:


1. Drive shaft on the left (drive) side was seized up and needed to be broken free and oiled, so it wasn't pulling the left side down and upsetting the natural balance.

2. I added the shims behind the springs on the height adjustment rods, since I was at the end of the threads on them, and still needed to life the reel up more. This, along with #1 above, gives me everything I need to level the rake. I am in business.

Thank you to everyone who helped me out on this.