new Holland 256 rake intermittently stops rotating

Mtjohnso

Member
I see the problem when going slow with rake but it may be occurring at higher speeds.
When moving forward in a straight line the tines will rotate smoothly at speed then slow down almost to a stop then take off again. I am guessing the tine rotate 10 times or more before it repeats.
This lead me to believe there was a problem in the gear box. Pulled covered and drained milky white 90 weight. All gears were good, clutch and spring are good, bearings are tight.
Jacked up rake and rotated tires to see if I could identify a problem that way. Nothing obvious. Rotated tires backwards and listened for the clicking in the wheels thinking there might be a problem there, but again nothing obvious.
The drive shaft has a bit of slop in it. When I move the driveline side to side I measure 1/2” of movement which translates to slop in rotational movement of driveshaft.
I was wondering if centrifugal force of times is causing times to get ahead of driveshaft and then slows down waiting for wheel and drive shaft to catch up?
Does drive shaft need replacement or has anyone welded up and the ground flat the drive shaft sections?
 

You are likely right with the "slop" Think our 256 is the same, but once it gets going it's fine. There is a lot of play in all the U joints, telescoping shaft and gear box.
 
I have an old 56? rake that started doing that a few years ago. Found out that the engagement lever on the gearbox was not fully engaging, got it to engage and no more problems. Pump the gearbox full of grease instead of oil, that's what NH recommends now. My drive is sloppy too, still works.
 
My 256 does that also at lower speeds. I usually rake about 5 mph and it seems to stay at a constant speed there. Mark.
 
Make sure both drive hubs are engaged. I have an old rake for a backup that doesn't get used much. Only 1 drive hub works. And it has junk bald tires. Sometimes turning its wants to quit and in the right conditions the one drive wheel that works will skid.
 

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