Some Headway

[Allan in NE]

About all a man can do with a situation like this is just dive in. Gotta start somewhere.

Of course, the engine is on the way and first impluse is to get the machine running and moving. Wrong.

It appears that for whatever the reason, a straw walker tried to come up thru the roof. Since this area is right under where the engine normally sits, all this has to be repaired first before we can even think about an engine.

First picture is from the inside of the combine looking forward. Walker took the roof, bent the cob sheild and didn't do that separater beater any good either.

Pretty sure I can straighten both that beater and that leaning raddle cover; I can also make a new roof panel.

Bad news is that in the process, the rouge walker bent the front walker crankshaft. That dude along with the rear one, have both got to be replaced. :>(

One job at a time; one day at a time.

Allan

 

[Michael Soldan]

Geeze Allan ya don't suppose somebody put a fawn through it or a corner post?..Good luck Buddy , you amaze me,Like I said before if any body can get that combine working again it will be ALLAN!

 

[Lanse]

a journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step.

Good luck!!!!

 

[Allan in NE]

I'm gonna put a new floor in the bin just because that manhole cover is off, the engine is out and it's easy to get to at this time.

Other than these two items, the rest of the sheet metal is all okay.

However, every bearing, idler, belt and chain has to be replaced. This old gal has been workin'. :>(

Allan

 

[sd pete]

I think those crank shafts are on the high priced side. but its only money.

 

[Allan in NE]

Yes Sir,

When I saw the sidewall flexing as I spun the crank, that's right when I also noticed the headache coming on.

On a self-imposed budget with this turkey. Really don't wanna see any more 'surprises' please. :>(

Allan

 

[Anonymous-0]

The bright side is the shiny silver color everywhere in there - no rust...but oh my the beanstalks that got drug thru there!
My brother replaced sheet metal in the header where beans had worn enough to weaken it. I was pretty proud of him who I tease about not taking physics in high school...
I'm also awed by those High Plains folks doing stuff like this and without gofors too!

 

[sd pete]

As far as i know (which isn"t very far) I don"t think there is any straightening on those cranks.

 

[B. Jones]

Dear Allen
The guy that I work for bought an old F with a burned up chevrolet motor. Only the motor area burned. Very little of the combine burned. If there are parts left on it that you are interested in, I will talk to him about it. He bought it several years ago for a parts machine, but we don't hardly use our old F any more. I am pretty sure the straw walkers etc. are still in the machine. I will talk to him in the morning. Just let me know if there is anything you are after. I assume yours is an F. With the chevy motor it can't be an early F. Is that correct.? The one we use has an Allis motor in it. I know some of the parts are different between the two machines. Good luck on your machine. B. Jones

 

[tractorsam]

You've sure got your work cut out for yourself there. I spent some time this summer recommisioning an early 50's Massey Harris 35 combine that was in pretty decent shape. Found several wasp nests and they didn't think too much of my efforts After that, my hat's off to anyone trying to revive an old combine, what a job! tractorsam

 

[Rickey H]

Allan You can doit cause your good!!!! (cheering section) Rickey

 

[Allan in NE]

Yeah, but Sam,

I wouldn't trade places with ya.

Gleaners are relatively easy to work on compared to those other models. Most stuff is walk up to it and work on it from the outside of the machine.

Not a heck of a lot inside with these old devils. 'Cept mine (groan)........ :>(

Allan

 

[tractorsam]

True enough, nothing quite puts the icing on the cake like lying on your back in the mud, contemplating the cosmos and the entire row of bolts two inches from your nose that are obstinately refusing to co-operate! On the other hand I expect that if it's taken care of it'll still be working another fifty years from now . tractorsam

 

[Mike (WA)]

Allan,
I'm glad you found the old gal, cause now we have an unfolding story to follow over the winter. Of course, refurbishing this combine makes absolutely no sense, if you're looking at it as an unbiased and logical observer; but we here all know that this nonsensical project makes more sense than most of the stuff we do. Sometimes, ya just gotta do what ya gotta do.

I didn't suffer much personal strife during the crash of the early 80's- but not because I didn't try! A buddy and I tried for 2 or 3 years in the mid 70's to put together a workable wheat/barley operation in eastern Washington, which would, of course, have crashed and burned a few years later- but we were never able to get our foot in the door. Don't presently remember the old saying about God watching over fools (somebody help me with it). I salute you for taking the plunge, and I salute you for getting up and dusting your self off afterwards, and finding another way to succeed.

Thanks to all of you who are going to help in every way possible- you're gonna have guys lining up to send you stuff, I think- and there's no way this baby isn't going to be ready to go next summer!

Mike

 

[Allan in NE]

Remember that favorite pair of pliers that ya lost in the field and found 'em years later?

First thing ya do is take 'em home, soak the things in diesel fuel to loosen 'em back up, so you can have that pair of pliers back to use again.

I'm doing the same darned thing only with a little bigger pair of pliers. :>)

You ain't just a kiddin'! These guys on here are the best ever! Wish I lived across the fence from each and every one. :>)

Allan

 

[37 chief]

Allan, Can't parts like the crankshaft be straightened in a machine shop? Stan

 

[Jerry/MT]

Allan, you have the worst case of chronic basketcase repairatosis that I have ever seen.(Grin)

I have concluded that you just love the challenge of doing something that 99% of the population thinks can"t be done. An my hat"s off to you for your skills and your "can do" attitude!

Go to it and we"ll all look forward to you pictorial progress reports.

Best regards,
Jerry

 

[Lee in Iowa]

Allan I was going to remind you to check every thing you could while it was easy to get at, but I guess I didn"t need to. We just got done taking the clean grain elevator off a 6620 to patch it and I thought about all the fun you are havin". Good luck. Lee

 

[Tradititonal Farmer]

Nothing in this world will give you the satisfaction of combing that first field of wheat with the Ole Gal.

 

[Anonymous-0]

My hat is off to your wife Allan. She is one smart lady.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Allen,I love your ambition & energy leavel,BUT your wife and her boyfriend have given you a project that will keep you in the barn for a year! He at least should pony up $$ for parts.

 

[Alex-41JDb]

One of my bosses sent a fawn through a haybine. WHAT A MESS

 

[Don-Wi]

My dad did that once.... I was too young to remember any of it but I still hear the story once in a while.

So far, I've put countless rabbits and mice through them, and even a duck, black bird, skunk, and unfortunatly and most recently one of the barn cats.... That one sucked but nothing I could do about it. Didn't even know I got her but dad told me he pulled her out of the windrow...

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[Allan in NE]

"Allen, I love your ambition & energy leavel ,BUT your wife and her boyfriend have given you a project that will keep you in the barn for a year! He at least should pony up $$ for parts."

Naw, I set that whole deal up. As long as they stay out of my way, I'm happy. :>)

Allan