Cogs and Chains Question

[SilliamWhale]

Do you all always replace cogs and chains at the same time?

Just going through the combine and the clean grain elevator chain needs replacing as its at its maximum adjustment. Dad wants to take a link out and carry on, APH always advise removing chain and refitting new cogs and I'm wondering just about a new chain.

The cogs on this are pretty chunky and not that worn to my eyes.Is the replace cogs and chains thing a bit overdone?

 

[Flat 10]

Replace chain. See how that fits if you wrap it around a sprocket (at leat 3/4 of the way around) if its a good fit no need to replace sprocket if its very loose you will need to. My view FWIW

 

[Sharpy]

On a round baler which will be dealing with 100hp plus you would replace the chain, but upon fitting it check that it engages with the bottom of all the teeth. If the cog is worn the chain wont engage properly. Highly unlikely to be that worn unless the chain is seriously worn/stretched.

 

[SilliamWhale]

So the "always replace cogs and chains together" thing is a bit OTT? (obvs not if cog is worn - but they don't wear out at the same rate usually)

 

[Sharpy]

So the "always replace cogs and chains together" thing is a bit OTT?

If the operator is a Muppet and keeps shortening the chain till the teeth are worn off, then no. In your case yes, its ott. Also the price of your cogs will probably buy ten chains........

 

[SilliamWhale]

Why is removing a link considered bad practice? Is the only reason because the chain is already inherently weak and stretched?

(not meaning shortening the chain multiple times by the way - I can see how that would weaken things)

Do older sprockets tend to eat a chain away quicker? (this example is a bit different as sprocket teeth are chunky)

 

[Sharpy]

Because you have a set number oflinks and therefore rollers per meter, and removing a link to maintain length means the chain is stretched and wears the cog rapidly. Also the stretch comes from the wear in the pins of the chains, so much more likely to snap under heavy load.

 

[DrWazzock]

I was always told you can put new chain on worn sprockets but you must never put worn chain on new sprockets.

Nothing wrong with taking a link out of a chain maybe once, but after that it's probably stretched so much that it is getting out of step with the sprocket teeth and the chain should be changed, otherwise serious teeth wear will occur.

I don't replace sprockets until the teeth are sharp. As long as the chain is OK and kept property adjusted it won't cause a problem.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Because you have a set number oflinks and therefore rollers per meter, and removing a link to maintain length means the chain is stretched and wears the cog rapidly. Also the stretch comes from the wear in the pins of the chains, so much more likely to snap under heavy load.

Sorry so sound thick but is still the case where cogs and therefore chain length is adjustable? ie are the rollers per metre still as accurate?

 

[Sharpy]

Sorry so sound thick but is still the case where cogs and therefore chain length is adjustable? ie are the rollers per metre still as accurate?

I meant the rollers in the chain, the round bits that the tooth engages on, not the side plates. As the pins inside wear, the rollers get further apart, then run down and up the teeth of the cog as they engage and disengage, causing high levels of wear. The distance apart of the cogs will not affect the chain engagement.

 

[deleted user 837354]

If the cog is fudged then change it. If not, keep it. If you are going to shorten a chain I would examine it first and see how bendy it is and how much rattle you get out of it. As above I would not put a worn chain on a new sprocket either.

People advising you to change the chain and sprocket are technically correct in that yes changing both will mean they will provide maximum service life but it's probably a bit OTT in this case.

Investigate cost of sprocket and check the fit, anything to appease the combine Gods mind.

 

[milkloss]

Cogs are the teeth on a sprocket. Are we changing cogs or sprockets?

 

[DrWazzock]

It's dialect and terminology, but to me a "cog" conjures up an image of a wooden gear wheel probably used in a windmill in about 1756.
A sprocket is used to drive a chain or is driven by a chain.
A gear wheel is a metal part that has teeth that engage with another gear wheel in a gearbox for example.

 

[balerman]

Do you all always replace cogs and chains at the same time?

Just going through the combine and the clean grain elevator chain needs replacing as its at its maximum adjustment. Dad wants to take a link out and carry on, APH always advise removing chain and refitting new cogs and I'm wondering just about a new chain.

The cogs on this are pretty chunky and not that worn to my eyes.Is the replace cogs and chains thing a bit overdone?

Do you mean the actual chain with paddles on that moves the grain,or the drive chain? Definitely don't take a link out of the grain one,and the drive chain is cheap enough anyway.I very much doubt the sprockets will need replacing.

 

[Sharpy]

Cogs are the teeth on a sprocket. Are we changing cogs or sprockets?

Ooops! Pet hate I assume? Round here cogs and sprockets are the same thing. I have never heard of the teeth being called cogs, although a quick Google confirms your meaning. I also knew a cog means a single masted ship from the middle ages, but you would know that I wasn't talking about changing one of them?

 

[milkloss]

Ooops! Pet hate I assume? Round here cogs and sprockets are the same thing. I have never heard of the teeth being called cogs, although a quick Google confirms your meaning. I also knew a cog means a single masted ship from the middle ages, but you would know that I wasn't talking about changing one of them?

yes, I was supposed to include some sort of smiley! When I was younger used to have a chap round here that got really gnarly if you called a gear a cog and it’s kind of stuck with me I’m afraid.
So of course I knew what you meant, I just didn’t put much effort into relaying humour with my post.

like others have said it really depends on the wear. Taking a link might save you having to replace the sprockets, but if the chain is stuffed then as a rule so will the sprockets and a new chain will not last long.

 

[Cjm]

A good indicator of wear in a chain is to take it off and lay it out on the floor (rollers horizontal), and see how much of a curve it makes when you pull one end across. Easier if you have a new bit to compare to. Taking a link out because you’ve run out of adjustment is not necessarily a bad thing, but obviously more acceptable on a long chain rather than a short one. As for the sprocket, look at the teeth. If hooked on one side or visibly worn then replace

 

[Sharpy]

yes, I was supposed to include some sort of smiley! When I was younger used to have a chap round here that got really gnarly if you called a gear a cog and it’s kind of stuck with me I’m afraid.
So of course I knew what you meant, I just didn’t put much effort into relaying humour with my post.

like others have said it really depends on the wear. Taking a link might save you having to replace the sprockets, but if the chain is stuffed then as a rule so will the sprockets and a new chain will not last long.

Fair enough! Didn't seem in character, but every day a school day.

 

[MF 168]

You'll know when a cog needs changing just by looking at the condition of the teeth. If there bent back, eaten into or getting obviously worn then there done but if they look in good order then a new chain is all thats needed.
It's been my experience that allowing chains to get over worn is what damages cogs.

 

[Stock]

The only Sprocket..............................................................
Cog was to cheat in an exam..........................................................