farmall 140 and 100 fertilizer unit

I have a fertilizer unit on my Farmall 140 and when using it tends to "grind up" or pulverize the fertilizer which eventually seems to clog up the rubber discharge hose. Wonder if anyone else has had that problem. I usually set the flow gate towards the low end to keep from putting out too much flow (even open all the way, it tends to grind, but not as bad). The discharge hose is the common after-market rubber hose sold by Ag Supply and others for the farmall (use same hose for my 180 planter). The star wheel works good, but has some play in the shaft, but I don't think enough to cause my grinding problem. I am using 10-10-10 primarily. Anyone with similar problems or suggestions?
 
Are you sure their isn't a mouse nest below the spot where in goes down the tube, that's what mine would do and twist of the drive key
 
Thanks for your reply. No mouse, I take the tube off and on every season and make sure it is clear. It is corrugated, so I have "stretched" it out to remove some of the friction in the tube. It will drop fertilizer fine for awhile, but it grinds it enough to produce a powder and that builds up in the drop tube after a while, then it stops up, and yes, it has sheared a drive key twice over the last few years when it clogs if I don't notice it soon enough. I don't think it should grind it up at all.
I also usually sift the fertilizer to be sure it has no clumps before I put it in the hopper too.
 
Rex, thanks for the reply. Mine has the star wheel and T agitator, and both are the original IH parts, not one of the China after market units. I was not aware there were different agitators...do you know what is available and who may sell parts. Seems like I remember from the operator's manual, there is a "heavy" and "light" star wheel that may have a different number of "teeth" for lack of a better word, to move it to the opening in the base plate. Mine works fine for awhile, but it grinds the particles so that after a time it builds up enough powder to clog up the drop tube. I have the large square fiberglass hopper, but usually only put 35-40 lbs in at a time (covers the T agitator). If I put more than 50 lbs in, it still clogs but is really heavy to try to clean out.
 
Only thing I can think of that could grind the fertilizer is your star gear rubbing on the bottom of the bucket. The agitators won't do that and you don't even need them if the fertilizer is free flowing. I have same set up on a 4 row planter. I've always seen some fine stuff in the bottom but never caused an issue and shouldn't cause an issue if everything is correct. Are you sure the tube is clear and mostly straight when unit is engaged. Stuff likes to build nests in those tubes during the off season. A big piece of fertilizer or rust may plug them also. When the unit is dropped and the bucket off can you see down through the tube or run a broom handle down it.
 
Tube is clear for sure. However, there is a good bit of play in the star wheel and it could rub the bottom. With the bevel gear on the shaft, there is side to side play in the bevel gear. There is also some play from gear lash between the bevel gear and the drive gear, but I think that is probably normal. There is no bushing around the shaft and according to parts book, there is not supposed to be one, but my bottom plate may be worn. It produces a lot of fine powder. I hate to think about rebuilding it. Aftermarket parts are from China/India and original stuff is likely like mine--worn. Do you know of a source of quality parts?
 
I meant the star wheels not the "T" shaped piece, I can not remember off the top of my head but I thought there were 3 different star wheels available. But something is wrong if it is grinding powder. Usually, when I side dress it's going through so fast it does not hang around long, It seems like the bags get heavier every year
 
I've seen ads for new buckets but they aren't cheap - over $400 per unit and I don't know who makes them. I don't know if you can find any parts but you could try googling it and see what comes up. You can also try looking on Cases website to see if they have the unit listed and can at least get some part numbers. I use Messicks site when I want to find IH part numbers.
 

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