Calling all IH 234 picker gurus.....I need some guidance and advice.
My dad and I have been working on getting my "new-to-me" 234 picker ready to mount. My rockshaft sub frame is set for a 706: push pipes set at 48", bellcrank lift arms set at 35 1/4", and the support bracket moved into the front position---just as the mounting booklet has stated. Any thing else I am missing on the sub frame? Any years of experience that differ from these settings?
Since my "new-to-me" 234 sat inside and unused since 1976, all of the chains are stiff and are now being lubricated with WD40, chain lube, and oil. I am having a difficult time with the short PTO shafts that attach to the gathering unit. I have taken a small wire brush to the inside of the hookup to clean up the splines and I took a rotary wire wheel to the PTO shaft on the gathering unit. Yet after all of the scrubbing, WD40, and grease I am still unable to put on and attach those PTO drive shafts. Any suggestions, thoughts, and experience on getting those shafts to slide on easily?
As my dad and I tried to turn over the picker by hand with the PTO drive shaft BEFORE hooking it up to the tractor PTO, we have discovered all kinds of things---chains are stiff and with lubrication should loosen up to be able to be turned by the PTO shaft. Am I missing anything in order to "run" the picker by hand?
Where can I get some of those rubber paddles that carry the corn up the gathering unit? Am I to assume the replacement ones are bolted on rather than riveted on?
I am hopefully going to mount the picker on Thursday/Friday of the next week so I can get it to the local show BUT I am not going to worry IF I can't get the picker to turn by hand. As long as it hangs on the tractor for the show that is going to be satisfactory with me. Shoot, if I can't get the PTO shafts attached to the gathering unit, it won't run any ways.
Are there any tips, tricks, or experience to share regarding having the ability to power/turn over the husking bed or sheller BEFORE hooking it up to the tractor PTO? Both units have sat, unused in the shed since 1976. I would feel more confident if I could "run" the husking bed and sheller by hand/crow bar.
After catching some sleep and having a bowl of Cheerios this am, off to the shed to work on the 234. I got one of the pto drive shafts to attach and slide off/on easily and the second is pretty darn close to doing the same. Magic fairies or magic grease or what ever happened, that is coming along.
Next, my dad and I worked on the elevator chain inside the gathering unit. We took off the drive chain to isloate the auger, elevator chain, and lower gathering chains. I spent some quality time turning the sprocket by hand (only one cut on the finger with one band aid) and turned the chain the full revolution and then some. However, there are places where the chain would hang up a bit but I was able to turn through them. So, on went the drive chain and back to the pto shaft to see if the picker would turn over by hand. POP goes the slip clutch.
Now it is the lower gathering chains. They are tight. Hopefully, we have found the problem. Any ideas or experience to share on where the two gathering chains and sprockets are stuck? I have the parts book so I will spend time studying the diagrams.
I have to hand it to those IH engineers...they did a good job at designing and making this picker work like a clock, but easy to manage.
On our NI324s, we replaced missing rubber paddles on both the gathering unit and the elevator with old baler belting. Two layers of baler belt was close to the width of one of those paddles. We cut it with a sawzall and drilled the holes with a drill. We bolted them through the original rivet holes in the paddle link and sandwiched the two strips of baler belt in between the paddle link and the metal backer strip. We used a sharp punch on the threads behind the nut so the nut could not rattle itself off the bolt. You should still be able to turn the nut off of the punch dent with a wrench, with some difficulty, but obviously the nut and bolt are one-use items at that point. At least they don't come off by themselves. We were only concerned with function, though, so I don't know if this will work for you at a show setting.
We worked our pickers loose by first giving them a full grease job (replacing all the bad zerks as we went). We oiled all the chains until sloppy, as well as the drag beds on the gathering unit and the elevator. Careful to not to oil the slip clutches in the process! Filled the gearboxes with 90 weight or corn head grease, as needed. We worked it by hand, bit by bit, took off the stuck chains, soaked them, re-installed, start again..........but it doesn't sound like you have time for all that before your show.
YTMag has a few older threads on good penetrating oils, from acetone/ATF to Kroil. You might have better luck with Kroil , PB Blaster, or Liquid Wrench than WD40 for breaking loose tight chains. (I'm not knocking WD40--it has its place.)
This weekend I have mounted the sub frame and gathering unit. It seemed like there were more than a few "bumps" along the way but being my first time with a 234 picker and uneven floor, I think I did pretty well. Now to get it running and either the husking bed or sheller attached is the next plan of attack.
Kevin - I don't have transportation for tractor/picker to Walnut BUT I believe I am coming down Friday night and be there on Saturday. My dad will probably come along for the ride. What are the accomodations in the area to stay over night?
Hi Kirk , there are several places to stay but the closest is 17 miles away in Rock Falls Il. is several and Princeton Il. is several more and Dixon Is 25 miles also Mendota is 25 miles. Hope you can make it and keep in touch !!
Kevin - Thanks for the information about where to find hotels in the area. I guess I have the green light to come on down - my wife asked me when I was going to go to that "tractor picking thing" in October. So, that is good enough for me.
It is ALIVE !! This afternoon after a few adjustments, attaching the drive shafts, and holding my breath, I turned on the PTO on the 706 to operate the picker and it works!! The picker ran about 15 minutes to limber up and clear itself out of stuff. This was the first time in 36 years that the picker has ran. Now onto the husking bed and sheller attachment. If all goes well, I should be able to pick alittle corn this fall with the picker.
THATS AWSUME on getting the permission , and even better on getting the a picker that has sat for yrs going , it always makes u feel like your not totally crazy to getting working on this old stuff !I'm sure the rest will come together nicely !! the u can share your pics of your efforts !!1
WHOA WHOA...permission??? You are a funny guy!! I have been married 3+ years so I still want to believe.
I do feel good about getting the picker running. My wife still thinks I am crazy running or not but oh well, can't win them all!! As soon as I get everything up and running with the picker I will post pictures.
Great work on getting the old gal back on her feet. A couple of trips through the field should shine her right up. What did you do about the rubber paddles?
I can't wait to get to run the picker through some corn. It will definitely take off the surface rust and look great filling up the wagons. I have not done anything with the paddles yet. I suppose I am going to have to find a parts picker and potentially make some paddles if necessary. Ther eisa guy over by LaCrosse who has parts and parts pickers so I wil have to give him a call as well. Around southeastern Minnesota, the corn looks good. True there are some areas that have corn bore or root worm or bad corn but over all it will be better than expected.
! This afternoon after a few adjustments, attaching the drive shafts, and holding my breath, I turned on the PTO on the 706 to operate the picker and it works!! The picker ran about 15 minutes to limber up and clear itself out of stuff. This was the first time in 36 years that the picker has ran. Now onto the husking bed and sheller attachment. If all goes well, I should be able to pick alittle corn this fall with the picker.
I have been married 3+ years so I still want to believe.
