F2 raddle chain

johnea4 · Nov 1, 2012

The raddle chain on my F2 keeps hanging up, causing bean stems to build up and the feeder beater then gets jammed, etc. etc. I took a link out of the raddle chain on each side (it had more than the book recommended 1 1/2" of slack,) boy if that wasn"t about the crappiest job i"ve ever had to do to this thing. I also replaced the slip clutch jaws thinking they might be worn. The idlers seem to be okay. Haven"t had a chance to try it again, anybody run into this? I wonder if it"s not hanging up on a piece of metal or something underneath the floor. Can"t see anything obvious.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 1, 2012

Yes, I would be looking for something else. I suppose there could be ridiculously loose, but too tight could cause more trouble than too loose. Grain dust gets in the joints and actually tightens the chains a little.
With the drive chain off you should be able to put a wrench on the nut on the slip clutch and spin the whole raddle assembly around.
Do you have a steel curtain hanging midway over the raddle, just about under the load out auger? If that gets bent at all, it retards straw flow enough to plug things.

Averyman · Nov 1, 2012

Are your two drive sprockets at the rear of the raddle in good shape ? I remember that on our G's in peas and flax if the sprockets were badly cupped material would wrap in them and tighten the raddle to a point where the slip clutch would let go. Also, on the bottom pan there are wear strips on either side that can wear through and pieces of it can get bent up and grab the raddle and stop it. Hard to see in there though without removing the raddle...

Critter · Nov 1, 2012

I did the same thing 3 years ago. No more trouble.

johnea4 · Nov 1, 2012

No steel curtain; nothing is wrapped, however i did find a row of corn cobs jammed up under the chain below the floor on one side. Can"t see any metal or anything hanging down that could catch it. You can now turn the drive gear by hand, although it"s a little stiff. Was going to try running it again today but now the starter is out. I"ll try tommorow and report back. Thanks for the advice.

jm42 · Nov 2, 2012

Its been years since I had the f3 but I remember having to check the chain with a certain amount of force to determine the clearance, I use to use a hanging chicken scale to check it. I would also open the side door and spray oil from a garden sprayer pretty often to keep the chain lubed.

johnea4 · Nov 2, 2012

Turns out one of the idlers was bad; the chain would start to slip off the idler as it was running and would bind up. Getting new idlers tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice.

F2 raddle chain

johnea4

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Bob Bancroft

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Averyman

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Critter

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johnea4

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jm42

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johnea4

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