Yer typical novice type questions...

Dave H (MI) · Jul 23, 2014

SO...reading the manual on the CIH 1660 and doing pretty well with it. I have had tractors most of my life and can operate most anything of those but this is no tractor and I could use a little clarification from time to time while sorting thru 300+ pages of manual. If anyone has a recommendation for another source or board, I am all ears. I know there are a lot of Gleaner fans here but I am sure there are a number of IH guys too. First off...an easy one I think. The term "reel speed" keeps coming up. The combine has the automatic reel speed control. I feel like this is a stupid question, but the reel in question is the one on a grain or bean head, yes? Pulls the cut material into the auger/feeder?

Second, also feel like it is a dumb question, but when they refer to "rotor" is this the big cylinder that runs front to rear in the axial flow combine and basically does the threshing?

Just don't want to read all this without being sure I am on the same page as the writer.

Thanks!

RGMartin · Jul 23, 2014

Yes on both questions

paul · Jul 23, 2014

+1

Paul

Dave H (MI) · Jul 23, 2014

Awesome guys, thanks! I was pretty sure on the reel, not so much on the rotor. Currently...since I HAVE to read the manual before I play with it...I am trying to get all the lights in order. Thing has more lights than those flying gizmos in Close Encounters but apparently only the tail lights and one lamp at the end of the unloading chute are operating. Really hoping these sealed beams are either A)not hooked up or B)fairly cheap, but of course they are ten feet up in the air and my knees are about thru with all these ladders.

Having fun even if it doesn't sound like it and I WILL be back.

Thanks again!

Case Nutty 1660 · Jul 23, 2014

I like the fact you are Reading the book!! Good job!! I was always taught that no question is a dumb question if you do not know the answer, second I like that you are asking questions, much better than stumbling thru things blindly, you will get it, the book even though overwhelming is a very important thing to know
cnt

Dave H (MI) · Jul 23, 2014

It's a chore and I thank you for your kind words. Last year I started buying equipment that is what I guess could be called "advanced". At least it was in it's day. 86 series tractor is a site more to operate than the Super MTA...when I was planting I would have sworn you needed three men and a boy to keep track of it. In fact I had the daughter ride along on the 4 wheeler and keep an eye on the planter for me. The Cyclo planter took a while to learn but I am just about at the point where I could build one from scratch. Manuals from that era are just terrible. I have seen the same part of the planter called at least two different names in the same paragraph. But I have to read on because this combine thing is just about the most fascinating machine I have yet to see. I can't believe I own the one I do. When I started the search I was trying to decide if I needed an enclosed cab or something older! I even considered pull behind for a starter. Glad I didn't!

Bob Bancroft · Jul 23, 2014

It's been at least five years since I've owned, maintained, and operated my 1660.

I think I'm finally getting everything the way it should be!

It is a lot to learn. When I bought this thing my conventional Gleaner experience had gone back over 40 years. I didn't want to start over, but figured I had to.

Prior owner told me he couldn't get the auto reel speed to work. I have found the same, and just leave it on manual. While working on the turn signals/flashers, on the little console under the steering wheel, I discovered a yellow warning light which indicates when the auger is not in it's cradle. I thought it was funny I had missed it in the manual. So I read it through again. I still can't find it!

IaGary · Jul 23, 2014

Dave I believe my 1660 had two light switches. One for the tail, auger and grain tank. The other switch turned on the head lights.

This was so you could turn off the tail when going on the road.

The switches were not side by side either. I believe one is on the console the other ahead above your head.

Gary

Dave H (MI) · Jul 23, 2014

Thissun has a dial on the right hand console. Settings are "hazard, road, and field". Also has a rocker switch on the steering column with a light symbol. I looked this up but can't seem to recall what it does. Lastly the turn signals control on the column. I have had limited success with getting lights to work. Tailights are fine. One front and one rear work light are working. The left blinker light will come on but not flash. I figured half a chance the right was burned out and messing up the blinker but that bulb broke off in the socket before I half touched it...so jury is out on that. Anyhow...that is the lay of the land!

Dave H (MI) · Jul 23, 2014

Goes to what I said about IH/CIH manuals from the 80's. All I have read so far have been just terrible. This one is a little better...or maybe I am getting used to the style. I dunno. Still not the easiest manual to follow...but I'm getting there.

JMS/.MN · Jul 23, 2014

IIRC a blinker light staying on, not blinking, means a bulb is burned out- on most systems. re your comment about multiple ladders......I just built a catwalk ON the unloading auger on my M2 to walk from cab to engine compartment. Your auger is too high for that, right?

Matt Griggs · Jul 24, 2014

On the switch, "road" lights up 5 of your six lights on the cab, taillights and flashers, "field" lights up those same 5 plus grain tank and unloading auger light. The switch on your steering column turns on your "high" beam headlight which is your sixth light on top of cab. I believe it's the fourth light from the left sitting in seat. It's quite possible you just have a bad connection from the wires especially on the flashers and taillights. When harvesting at night th lights don't shine very much on the auger of your header, so I added 2 more lights on the bottom corner of my cab angled to each end of the header.

It's quite possible your reel speed switch and automatic reel speed will not work. If this is the case there is a way to adjust the speed on the solenoid on side of feeder house.

Dave H (MI) · Jul 24, 2014

Yes...I have more lights than I first said. I believe there is one on the grain tank also, but not working. The one light that works on the front top only lights when the high beam is on. I guess this is gonna be one of those old machines with a lot of little issues and (hopefully) nothing major. But the little ones will keep you chasing your tale right thru the first time on the field and probably for a year or two after that! I never thought the day would come when I would say that I liked to cut hay to relax. But all that equipment has been mine so many years that I have most of the wrinkles ironed out and those that do come up are usually a 5 minute fix.

Dave H (MI) · Jul 24, 2014

It's a lot too high for this cat to be walking on! Not thinking I want to go that route. I agree with you on the flashers. I need to get the bad bulb pried out of the socket and then find a new one. I think maybe the flashers might work after that.

Yer typical novice type questions...

Dave H (MI)

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RGMartin

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paul

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Dave H (MI)

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Case Nutty 1660

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Dave H (MI)

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Bob Bancroft

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IaGary

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Dave H (MI)

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Dave H (MI)

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JMS/.MN

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Matt Griggs

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Dave H (MI)

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Dave H (MI)

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