Got the 708 Uni going MUCH closer to 100% now!!! Got the motor running after I don't know how many years of sitting outside, and ran like a charm. Couldn't get any power steering, though, and took the hydraulic pump to the dealership (hydraulic pump is brand new rebuilt) and it was assembelled upside down, causing the gears to spin backwards. Put that together (since the previous two pumps blew on the last owner) and put it on the Uni, power steering, hydraulic arms, everything worked. Super. Went to put the husking bed back on it, and BOOM!!! All hydraulics stopped, and I couldn't believe there weren't parts all over the place. Well, I guess there were, I was using a magnet to pick out broken metal shards and chips in the bearing oil for the hydraulic pump power input. THAT'S when we discovered the blown relief valve, and here a fued between farmers, years of hard feelings, and years of the machine sitting idle was all caused by a tiny little part. Stole the relief valve out of the now parts 705, bought a pump in Planesview, Minnesota, (since Agco wanted 500 for the relief valve and 1000 for the pump, I elected to go free valve and 300 dollar pump), and put it all back together. Worked.
It's always been stuck in second gear, I just never questioned it until now. When I pulled it home on the car dolly behind the 856 I just disconnected the drive shafts. Now running, took her off like a bat out of hell across the cowyard, tested out the hydro, happier than a puppy in a cat store. But the shifting lever was seized, took the cable off and it popped right into neutral. Cable is shot, looking for one right now, but the machine is ALIVE after years of work. Hoping to take the husking bed off and park it for now, getting the chopper running would be absolutely sweentess, that is where the machine is really worth something to me. Otherwise I think the 703 will be stripped of its dignity and its 737 husker and 844 head will be utilitized on the 708. Got a 729A sheller that hasn't seen life in a LONG time either, that may be on the chopping block (as in to get running, not scrap!! LOL)
That is the Uni update on da Uni farm, figured I'd drop it in.
Bout time you posted SOMETHING on here. Ever find me that assembly I need for my 234? The picker isnt back on yet, cleaning gas tank and some other small stuff, like fixing sloppy steering. I need to plumb in my hydraulics, as I robbed the 2 way valve off the M and put it on something else. So I'm just gonna use the regular hydraulics, however, I need to figure out which port I put it in, guess I can just monkey with it.
I haven't gotten a chance to look. Been working on getting this second 315 I bought home. Once I get a tractor (or my tractor running properly) you won't be able to get me away from the 234's. Then I'll know FOR SURE what I have. Would you happen to have a part number for the parts you need? That might quicken things up too. Later man.
I looked for about 20 minutes, I cant find it. When the picker is off and your looking at it from the front, looking towards the husker, there is a little idler gear. I need the pieces that go along with that little gear, and the gear. Its on the right side, lowest sprocket there is on the main drive.
I' used to think about a uni but my dealer who sold new idea always said they were a lot of trouble, especially with the hydraulics.I've wondered how they were since i knew of one across the road from the dealer and saw 2-3 in other places around here . all used for ear corn.There was one in northern indiana last fall advertised real cheap but that would have been at least a 6 hour drive bringing it to the farm and i really wanted to try a mounted picker myself at least once.Good hearing about it. keep us informed of your progress and how you guys like them.
Tim, what years approxamately was that, and which models of Unis were/are around?
Cuz in all honesty, with the three I have here, I hate them. I don't think the older Uni's are worth their weight in sand selling it in Iraq, the 703 has never operated correctly and the 705 was a dud from the start. The 708, being hydrostatic, has more hope, and I also have a chopper for it besides husker, which is its most valuable feature. I have a couple 234 pickers I planned on running this year until the 708 resurrected itself from the grave, so now I am thinking of stripping the 703 from every shred of its dignity and giving it a whirl in the corn for my custom ear business. I need to take the husking bed off that unit anyway if I ever dream of it running right ever again.
I have so much money invested in the hydraulic system of the 708 it isn't funny. I saved myself a bunch of money by using parts off of my other Unis and buying used parts, but the third hydraulic pump just went in it and a new relief valve which was the root of the problem. Agco wanted 500 for the valve and 1000 for the pump. I about got away from New Idea equipment entirely off that one.
And driving a Uni is like riding a gas can with a cigarette in your mouth. It isn't a matter of if you catch fire, its when, where, and what you have to put it out. A Uni sure isn't a mounted picker, it is much more accurately a combine.
If you get a Uni, get one that is diesel and hydrostatic. I just eliminated every problem bearing Uni out there with those two words. The gas ones are all belt driven (and goes back to the gas can comparision) and the hydrostatic ones have great diesel engines, whether they be 354 Perkins, 429 Allis-Chalmers, or (I believe) the 360 Cummins. You pay a pretty penny for the Cummins powered ones, but they were top of the line when New Idea quit making them. Really they stopped at their peak... same as IH tractors.
IF I ever start liking a Uni, it will be with this 708. However, I know what this unit has gone through in its life, and I sure cannot forecast that my problems are over.
If it was my choice, I'd have a tractor under a 234 mounted picker. I think they are just as fast and don't have 1/10th the investment. You can only put corn in the crib so fast. I forgot how easy it is to post pictures on this, I'll make a Uni photo post when I'm done putting the new shifting cable into the 708 and taking apart my new parts 315!!
All the ones i saw were like 701 and the older gassers.So i guess from what i'm hearing they are ok to collect just dont want to depend on tham at harvest time.I havnt ben around any in person in 10 years at least.
