M2 in corn

Last time posted here, I was getting the M2 ready for wheat. Didn't go well. Managed to cut 2 acres of wheat. While I was doing that, the belt that drives the head auger came off twice - 2 belts actually - outside one would jump off and the inner one would jump onto the outside groove of the drive pulley and stay on the inner groove of the auger driven pulley (that make sense?) It never would cut/feed right, and when the sickle bolt fell out of the wobble box (replaced it), I found out why. All 4 bolts that hold the wobble box on were loose and all the holes were elongated. Tightened them, but only lasted about 15 min. before loosening again. Plus, I managed to choke it twice. The engine seemed to pull down more that it should and I wasn't even in heavy weeds when it choked, just a small patch of horseweeds a few inches taller than the wheat, and not a solid patch. You could see wheat between the weeds. Machine is a spike tooth at that. Going to try my luck w/corn. Head is on, all chains oiled. Going to grease it and hope I can slow the cylinder down enough that I don't grind too badly. Heard mixed reviews on spike tooth in corn. Planning to change fuel filter, too. Hoping to have better luck in corn, but E3 is on standby. It got the wheat.

Once mounting holes get elongated, the only fix is to start with a new mounting plate. (well yeah, or welding bolts in!) Too much vibration to ever stay tight without perfect holes.

If the holes are chamfered on the bottom side, you can grind a drill to match the angle of the bolt head and cut the correct chamfer after drilling the hole.

If space allowed, I"d consider making a new plate and weld it to the bottom side of existing, then use longer bolts, and Loctite them. Simpler than cutting out/replacing existing.

Yeah, thought about welding another plate on the bottom. Holes in the wobblebox are long, too. Reckon I'd need to weld one on the bottom of the box too and make sure everything lines up and nothing binds. Something else - even when the bolts were tight when I first started, the sickle didn't seem to cut very well. Hoping the wobblebox isn't on the way out, too. Don't know much about those. E uses a pitman. Real simple and never been a problem... Another issue: there's a ridge along the back of the head on the inside that the auger wants to rub when you raise the head very high. Not sure what that's about. Got to check. Other problems were more serious. BTW - love what you did to your M2 w/the Massey-style ladder and the catwalk. I'd like to do that.

With elongated holes and loose bolts your sickle wasn't moving full range. You would be surprised how much a little oval hole changes the bar movement - things just magnify with each step. I'm assuming the sections were decent to start with. Check timing as well, as that can reduce your power. I've never had an experience with a spike tooth. Just doesn't seem right to me for some reason. I've always been small grains, though.

Notjust air is right about sickle register...no way it cuts right with slop in it. Wobble box is very simple- just a couple of bearings and a wiggly shaft- check for wear. Same with conveyor bearings- it should clear the frame the same, raised or lowered.

re the ladder- I didn"t know I copied anything- just wanted an easier way to get on top and be able to run duals as well. It unbolts and the original ladder can go on.

At 70yo, waiting on a second hip, and a bad back, I don"t like vertical climbs. The catwalk saves steps and climbing as well, and makes good use of the unload auger as a platform to get there. Everything I drive has a step within a foot of the ground, and will be done to the SP100 parade combine as well. It"s home now, gotta learn to post pics with the new Photobucket.