TX. Jim: JD 375 Round Baler

Jim,

Bearing on lower main drive roller, on the chain sprocket end, is knocking. Shot it with some chain lube yesterday, with PTO engaged and got it to stop. Apparently dry and seals must be leaking to let in the chain lube. Now that I know that's the one knocking and it responds to lube, leaving be and lubing prior to use is an option.

I have an assortment of tools and work alone. How much of a hassle is it to replace that bearing and would you do me a favor and post one of your IPBs with your info. JD PN would surely help too.

With haying finished this year for me, it would make for a good winter project.

Good Haying!

Thanks,
Mark

Knocking is not a problem! Just run it! The knock is from the hex shaft and the hex bore bearing walking as the shaft turns. Spraying with oil makes it worse. Spray with water and let it rust tight. New bearing will not fix it...

Mark
I sent you an email. I agree with Roger that noise could be brg rocking on shaft BUT it wouldn't hurt to check temp of brg with a laser thermometer after baling a few bales.
Jim

Mark
I sent you an email. I agree with Roger that noise could be brg rocking on shaft BUT it wouldn't hurt to check temp of brg with a laser thermometer after baling a few bales.
Jim

Own/use a 447..same thing. I replaced the bearing to no avail.. after a few years it somehow stopped 'knocking'.. not sure why.. still have the original bearing. As I remember replacing was a rather simple endevor.

Reply to all.

Jim my email address is incorrect and I looked all over the site to see how I could go in and change it and didn't find a way. When I know I'll change it to the current and post on here that it's fixed.

On the non contact infrared thermometer, I use it frequently on all my bearings and keep my things meticulously oiled where I can. After replacing about 10 bearings in and on the ends of other rollers, 1981 baler, not all that many bales as lots of paint intact, keep it under a "car port" type cover, all the ends of the rollers measure warm after field work.

What you guys said about the wobble being the square of the shaft and the square of the bearing makes a lot of sense to me and answers the question as to why it quieted down after spraying. With a 3 lip seal to have to get through I was imagining that the bearing had a lot of wear. The oil film must have cushioned the impact between the two to quiet it down. Other than that all you hear is a squeak or two from the pickup tines scraping on their shields.

I really really really really..........appreciate you guys responding to this; I really do. Thanks so much. Geez, I can sleep tonight after all.

Mark

We usually use Loctite with installing new bearings on the Hex shafts. It keeps them from making this Knocking sound. It can get real loud on the larger bailers.

Mark
Most all the shafts in JD rd balers since the 430/530 models were introduced are "hex not square" :wink:

I enjoy the fact that the brgs usually are easy to replace when they fail so I just ignore the occasional knocking noise of the brgs to shaft clearance.
Jim

Thanks.