Spread-a-bale maintainance

[Devon lad]

What maintenance is needed to keep this 2008 machine in reasonable order? I’ll spread about 80 bales a year with it. Had the rotor frame re-inforced to a good standard. One of the rotors has quite a bit of play in the top, maybe a bearing? Valve block is also reconditioned, there’s a few minor oil leaks from hydraulic motors I think. Any help much appreciated thanks

 

[Dave W]

You've answered you own questions really. Replace the bearings. Think there's only 7 on the whole machine.
And replace any leaky hoses.
You refurb it for £300

 

[Horn&corn]

Anyone know the sizes of the bearings at the base of the rotor? Pretty sure both have gone as my colleagues prefer to lubricate with string!
Ours is newer than that but done a lot of work. Thanks

 

[Dave W]

Should be a 4 bolt flange bearing. There's a number cast in the housing

 

[Rob Graham]

Without being rude, PM if you like, but what's an approximate price range for one of these?

 

[Dave W]

Without being rude, PM if you like, but what's an approximate price range for one of these?

Upwards of £2k for an old one. Teens for a newish one.

 

[Devon lad]

I paid £4000+vat for the one above last year, which is mechanically sound including the correct brackets. Never missed a beat, wouldn’t be without if now, just want to keep it that way.

 

[Andrew]

View attachment 828161What maintenance is needed to keep this 2008 machine in reasonable order? I’ll spread about 80 bales a year with it. Had the rotor frame re-inforced to a good standard. One of the rotors has quite a bit of play in the top, maybe a bearing? Valve block is also reconditioned, there’s a few minor oil leaks from hydraulic motors I think. Any help much appreciated thanks

If that machine was a few months younger I would have built it, I worked at CHK for a year on placement, just as the Simba deal ended.
We’ve also run one at home ever since.

There are no bearings in the top of the rotors, they have a coupling with a rubber star in between onto the motor. Chances are it’s this tubber that’s collapsed. Sort the motors, take care of it and grease it it’ll be fine.

If you take the top off the rotors, make a couple of bits of plate or box and bolt the rotors together top and bottom. Remove the head bolts and the top should lift off. The rubber couplings should then be easy to change.
I would also lift the rotors out as one, and change both bottom bearings. Make sure the remote grease pipe is intact and working. Remove any string. Then rebuild.

In work, NEVER change spool direction until all parts of the machine have stopped.
Don’t drive round with the head lifted - that’s why it’s been welded and repainted around the head pivot points.
If you have more than yourself driving it, make a small box section frame to go around the bed drive motor so it doesn’t get caught.

 

[Devon lad]

If that machine was a few months younger I would have built it, I worked at CHK for a year on placement, just as the Simba deal ended.
We’ve also run one at home ever since.

There are no bearings in the top of the rotors, they have a coupling with a rubber star in between onto the motor. Chances are it’s this tubber that’s collapsed. Sort the motors, take care of it and grease it it’ll be fine.

If you take the top off the rotors, make a couple of bits of plate or box and bolt the rotors together top and bottom. Remove the head bolts and the top should lift off. The rubber couplings should then be easy to change.
I would also lift the rotors out as one, and change both bottom bearings. Make sure the remote grease pipe is intact and working. Remove any string. Then rebuild.

In work, NEVER change spool direction until all parts of the machine have stopped.
Don’t drive round with the head lifted - that’s why it’s been welded and repainted around the head pivot points.
If you have more than yourself driving it, make a small box section frame to go around the bed drive motor so it doesn’t get caught.

Thank you I really appreciate your advice ?

 

[Blue.]

One of the best machines I’ve ever bought!