JD 818/816 header

[Chrisw]

Hi all,

I have an 818 header that has had some damage to the left side around the knife drive area (only just bought the combine) and was hoping for the usual insight from the members here. To repair the damage will take quite a few parts, and wondered if people would put the time and effort into replacing most of the drive side metalwork, and the 90 degree "cutterbar" to get the header good again, or if you would just cut the losses and buy a good used one?
If I was to buy a complete header, I don't suppose anyone has one, surplus, in their shed?
TIA

 

[Timbo]

All parts are available, but some are costly. Depends what the extent of the damage is...Do you have a photo?

 

[Chrisw]

Hi Timbo, yes.....

 

[Chrisw]

It's the part that connects the end of the divider to the angle iron under the knife drive. It has been badly repaired and the dividers are tearing themselves to pieces, and I think it has meant the angle iron is also out of shape too. It could be fabricated, but thinking it may just be easier to replace with a better header. The steel sheets on top of the header before the auger are also pretty ropey so need replacing too.

 

[Timbo]

It's the part that connects the end of the divider to the angle iron under the knife drive. It has been badly repaired and the dividers are tearing themselves to pieces, and I think it has meant the angle iron is also out of shape too. It could be fabricated, but thinking it may just be easier to replace with a better header. The steel sheets on top of the header before the auger are also pretty ropey so need replacing too.

As it happens I've just replaced the very same panel on a 820 header I bought. Its a simple nut n bolt job.

 

[Chrisw]

As it happens I've just replaced the very same panel on a 820 header I bought. Its a simple nut n bolt job.

Unfortunately it's not just the panel, its the angle iron cutter bar piece, the 3 presses steel sheets behind the knife as well, and a lot of stress tears in the side tin work around the knife drive.

 

[Timbo]

So the 3 pressed sheets are around £300 each (2 one size, 1 smaller)



and the left hand side piece (landside heel) which is all one piece is £650.


If you went for new, you'd get some discount on a stock order.

 

[Chrisw]

I also need the 90 degree angle that the fingers and bed are bolted to which is another £575. I had factored having to change the outer steel section of your bottom image, but think I can get away with not changing it. So I either bite the bullet and repair the header for about £2k plus time, or buy a complete header for about £2.5k ish or get second hand parts for about £6-700. It was as much a question as to whether anyone had an 818 or 816 header in the back of the shed for a combine they no longer have.

 

[Timbo]

It took me over 12months and £2500 to find an 820 header that was reasonable, and I've still had to go right through it mechanically and visually to bring it upto scratch (I am very particular ). The few you might find will be worn and knocked about- so the chances of finding a good one are slim. I would evaluate yours mechanically and sum up what exactly it needs, and go from there. Still could be worth doing.

Drive end landsides and belt guards that aren't bent will be like unicorn horns! Every one I saw had tusselled with gate posts!

 

[chickens and wheat]

We bent that on a brand new combine first field

Pub gossip soon had it we crashed new machine into trade in, they did work together for few hours.but certainly never touched

 

[Chrisw]

It took me over 12months and £2500 to find an 820 header that was reasonable, and I've still had to go right through it mechanically and visually to bring it upto scratch (I am very particular ). The few you might find will be worn and knocked about- so the chances of finding a good one are slim. I would evaluate yours mechanically and sum up what exactly it needs, and go from there. Still could be worth doing.

Drive end landsides and belt guards that aren't bent will be like unicorn horns! Every one I saw had tusselled with gate posts!

Seems like a header has been offered that seems straight as a die..... still has original paint on the belts and in the auger. Bit the bullet, and will use the old one for parts, or sell it on, but thanks for the insight, I think you and I are similar in our outlooks on machinery