NH254 design flaw

[LorenC]

Since the first day I read about the NH254 here the topic has been reliability/wear issues. The videos I've seen of them running makes me think the rotor speed is a tad too high and the amount of arm rotate is too severe, both causing excessive wear in the cam follower, cam, and where the arms rotate. If you guys have some theories on the reason for the problems I'd like to hear them.

 

[rankrank1]

I have read the same posts as you and can offer up no theories other than to check out the NH255. Many claim is quite a bit more reliable than the 254. Personally I have never used either.

I can only guess that examining the differences between the two models should indicate the exact reasons as to why the 255 is more reliable than the 254.

 

[donjr]

I had a 255 and it wasn't a bad unit, but it wasn't the best rake or tedder I've ever had. It did work, but needs more
maintenance than other units and some parts from CNH are pricey. And, it's better to operate them at about 1500 rpm- they don't
fly apart as fast.....

 

[RodinNS]

The core problem with the 254 is that the roll pins that the arm hangers pivot on wear out and get sloppy as do the hangers themselves. When
the get sloppy the cam followers droop deeper into the cam until they fetch up and tear the follower off... then you have an arm flailing
around with no follower. Then it grabs the cam and bends the arm, the hanger and if you're real lucky, breaks the roll pins off that hold the
cam locks.... and takes the whole mess for a spin. The poly bushing on the arms also wear rapidly and seldom take grease so they wear even
faster. IN short... the whole bloody thing was just plain junk... and I doubt the 255 improved it much. They were made to do 30 ac a year and
if you want to do more than that, expect to spend the big bucks maintaining the junk.

Rod

 

[Shetland Sheepdog]

I've said before, and I'll repeat, many machines designed to do 2 different jobs, often do neither of those jobs real well! IMHO the 254 is just such a machine! Friend of mine had a 254, and traded it off for a Kuhn GF440 tedder & a JD 660 rake! He was much happier with the latter! YMMV
Dave