Putting on 863 corn head-bottom fastener

[Tree-Farmer]

I'm trying to get an 863 corn head onto my CaseIH 1660, but there is a gap at the bottom, so I can't fasten the bottom clip.

How do you push the head on all the way, so the clip at the bottom will fasten? Is there a trick? Something I'm missing?

Or could something be bent/tweaked? Bought it used, my first time trying to put it on. It's on, just need a 1/4 inch more, the combine will lift it, I can drive it around.

Thinking about buying some kind of clamp, maybe a big C clamp to try to push it together, 2 clamps, one on each side

Is yours a pain to put on? Thought about pushing it into something, like a tree stump, but concerned about bending/breaking something.

Thank you for any tips!

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I'm trying to get an 863 corn head onto my CaseIH 1660, but there is a gap at the bottom, so I can't fasten the bottom clip.

How do you push the head on all the way, so the clip at the bottom will fasten? Is there a trick? Something I'm missing?

Or could something be bent/tweaked? Bought it used, my first time trying to put it on. It's on, just need a 1/4 inch more, the combine will lift it, I can drive it around.

Thinking about buying some kind of clamp, maybe a big C clamp to try to push it together, 2 clamps, one on each side

Is yours a pain to put on? Thought about pushing it into something, like a tree stump, but concerned about bending/breaking something.

Thank you for any tips!

Won't your fastener pull it that much?

 

[showcrop]

Drive it around over rough enough ground that it will move around a little. Lift it up and find the shiny spots where the rust has worn away.

 

[Aaron SEIA]

Set the head back of and inspect all the mating surfaces to make sure a bolt head isn't sticking out or dirt is keeping it from sitting down.
AaronSEIA

 

[formerly ny bill]

I'm trying to get an 863 corn head onto my CaseIH 1660, but there is a gap at the bottom, so I can't fasten the bottom clip.

How do you push the head on all the way, so the clip at the bottom will fasten? Is there a trick? Something I'm missing?

Or could something be bent/tweaked? Bought it used, my first time trying to put it on. It's on, just need a 1/4 inch more, the combine will lift it, I can drive it around.

Thinking about buying some kind of clamp, maybe a big C clamp to try to push it together, 2 clamps, one on each side

Is yours a pain to put on? Thought about pushing it into something, like a tree stump, but concerned about bending/breaking something.

Thank you for any tips!

when putting the 1063 head on my 1460, a short cheater bar helps. The center section from an IH 966 tie rod works perfect.
I would think there is something sticking out where it shouldn't be, like the others have said. Sure wouldn't try the tree stump method- takes a long time to straighten snouts back to usable condition.

 

[EFV]

Loosen the two nuts on the U-bolts on both sides of head until both clamps on feeder house
will over center. Then tighten all four nuts . Your picture only shows one side so did you clamp
one side on and now are trying to get last side fastened ? Because you must be under the corn head
to do this job have blocks in place to prevent being hurt if head falls off or suddenly lowers. Believe
1660 has hydraulic locks to prevent lowering when machine is off. Better to be safe than sorry.
It is very important to remember to tighten u-bolt nuts after getting clamps on. Failure to do so
can result in accidental on the fly head removal followed by yelling, screaming and loud questioning
of genetic background(family tree) history of head installer. clicked on photo ,neither clamp is on.
Love this editing ability.

 

[moresmoke]

Looks like the head is down tight further up. Adjust the nuts on the ubolts for a proper fit.

 

[Pembroke]

Sooooo I'm not familiar with either subject. Question: does the bar next to the square ubolt go inside of that ubolt and then come back and tighten down like a chain latch does? Thanks for info. Pembroke

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Sooooo I'm not familiar with either subject. Question: does the bar next to the square ubolt go inside of that ubolt and then come back and tighten down like a chain latch does? Thanks for info. Pembroke

In the picture, the swinging latch jaws are hooked over the U bolt. Slide a piece of pipe over the square handle of the latch, push up, and it will over center into latched position. Notice the little hole in the anchor plate for the latch. A safety pin is placed through the holes so the latch cannot release. Once the U bolt(s) on the header are adjusted to the combine, it doesn't have to be done again. Unless, of course, the header is put on a different combine.

 

[Tree-Farmer]

Thanks for all the answers, turned out I needed both. I got a flashlight, got under it and looked up, saw some metal, so I put the head down and backed the combine off, here's the picture. Turned out that the throat was set up for a 42 inch opening, had a 42 inch lip, must have been for a different model combine. My opening is only 36 inches. So I bent it back, got out my grinder and cut off the extra metal on the lip/bottom metal piece. Then I was able to put the head on and fasten it on correctly. But I still had to loosen and tighten the bolts, so thanks EFV for that advice. Thanks to Aaron and Bill for suggesting to take it off and look closely at the mating surfaces.

 

[Tree-Farmer]

But then it didn't work. It seems that one gearbox is bad. I was able to slide the connectors off, found which one works and that one row does not turn and the slip clutch makes a loud noise. I think replacing a gearbox is too big a project for me, that it's too heavy for me to be able to put it in, I don't have a cherry picker or front end loader to hold it. So I think I want to sell it. Anyone want to buy a 863 head with one bad gear box? I have all the snoots, taken off for transport, raised to inspect and make adjustments. How about for $500?

 

[formerly ny bill]

But then it didn't work. It seems that one gearbox is bad. I was able to slide the connectors off, found which one works and that one row does not turn and the slip clutch makes a loud noise. I think replacing a gearbox is too big a project for me, that it's too heavy for me to be able to put it in, I don't have a cherry picker or front end loader to hold it. So I think I want to sell it. Anyone want to buy a 863 head with one bad gear box? I have all the snoots, taken off for transport, raised to inspect and make adjustments. How about for $500?

I don't know where you are, but... FWIW I changed a row unit last fall on my 1063 head. and another row a couple years ago. The worrying beforehand was almost as bad as the switching. Just a bigger erector set than what we played with as kids. K&J Surplus in Lansing, NY sold me the whole row unit, salvaged from used corn heads. He has more in stock. After everything was disconnected, the unit was lifted off by hand the first time, by skid steer forks the second time, as I don't seem to be as strong as I used to be. I am sure that parts yards in other areas would have them for sale, too.

 

[Brownie450]

Make sure there isn't ice in the gear box. Take the dip stick out
& check for gear lube level in the box. Double check that the
gathering chain isn't caught up on something. Check for the
stripper rolls to be loose.
Jim