John Deere 346 Project

[ddivinia]

OK - I went out and took one of the bearings loose. They are made out of some sort of plastic. I suspect the rust on the crankshaft ate up the bearings. A full set of bearings are only $25 or so. That should be an easy fix.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Pics

Clutch is missing some discs.

Hay Plate - looks shot - other one is not much better

Wiper arm bearing - shot.

Plunger looks like it has some damage. I am going to look at the one in my parts baler.

Bill hook could be better - should I replace it?

Twine disk - not sure, looks OK to me.

Comments?

D.

 

[flusher]

Pics

Clutch is missing some discs.

Hay Plate - looks shot - other one is not much better

Wiper arm bearing - shot.

Plunger looks like it has some damage. I am going to look at the one in my parts baler.

Bill hook could be better - should I replace it?

Twine disk - not sure, looks OK to me.

Comments?

D.

I had to rebuild the slip clutch on my MF124 square baler this Spring. It has two friction plates sandwiched between three metal plates. Both friction plates were ground to powder. Fortunately I found replacements at an MF dealer in Maine (about $30 each).

I assume JD can supply replacement parts for the slip clutch on your 346.

In a pinch you can use 1/4" thick brake lining material (available from McMaster Carr) and bond it to the metal plates with JB Weld epoxy.

Or if you want to save a buck, you can do what real old-timey farmers do--cut new friction plates out of a 1/4" thick sheet of double tempered (smooth on both side) Masonite. A 4x8ft sheet of masonite ($25) will give you enough stock for a lifetime supply of friction plates for your slip clutch.

 

[AKfish]

Pics

Clutch is missing some discs.

Hay Plate - looks shot - other one is not much better

Wiper arm bearing - shot.

Plunger looks like it has some damage. I am going to look at the one in my parts baler.

Bill hook could be better - should I replace it?

Twine disk - not sure, looks OK to me.

Comments?

D.

I bought a small, Kuhn GMD400 disc mower on the coast of Oregon - near Coos Bay. You know what you get near the ocean - corrosion, rust - lot's of it!! I had to buy a new 5/16" allen wrench to service the gear boxes - cause the ends were nearly eaten up!

Your 346 looks like it came from Coos Bay...

Yep... everything you've listed is pretty "tired" except the twine disc.

AKfish

 

[ddivinia]

I bought a small, Kuhn GMD400 disc mower on the coast of Oregon - near Coos Bay. You know what you get near the ocean - corrosion, rust - lot's of it!! I had to buy a new 5/16" allen wrench to service the gear boxes - cause the ends were nearly eaten up!

Your 346 looks like it came from Coos Bay...

Yep... everything you've listed is pretty "tired" except the twine disc.

AKfish

I tell ya - leaving a hay bale in the chamber and letting it rain on it is just dumb.

I sure am going to learn a lot about square balers.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

I had to rebuild the slip clutch on my MF124 square baler this Spring. It has two friction plates sandwiched between three metal plates. Both friction plates were ground to powder. Fortunately I found replacements at an MF dealer in Maine (about $30 each).

I assume JD can supply replacement parts for the slip clutch on your 346.

In a pinch you can use 1/4" thick brake lining material (available from McMaster Carr) and bond it to the metal plates with JB Weld epoxy.

Or if you want to save a buck, you can do what real old-timey farmers do--cut new friction plates out of a 1/4" thick sheet of double tempered (smooth on both side) Masonite. A 4x8ft sheet of masonite ($25) will give you enough stock for a lifetime supply of friction plates for your slip clutch.

JD has the parts. I the disc with the spline is rather expensive. Maybe I can reuse it and just put 2 new disc in. Until I tear it apart - who knows.

 

[ddivinia]

I got the plunger out.

Here is a video of the main plunger bearing - I guess that is what you call it.

YouTube - plunger bearing.MOV

Here is the plunger and the 3 bearings on it.

YouTube - IMG_1606.MOV

More pics to follow.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Pulling plunger - didn't take much but the chain hoist helped.

Shot hay resistor in the bale chute.

Plunger out

One set of bearings

Really flat spotted bearing

Pretty flat bearing

Bearing gone except the shaft

Two bearings removed.

D.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

I pulled the other knotter apart. Same stuff as the right hand one. I am thinking new bill hook and gear, twine disc cleaners and reuse the twine disc. Some new cotter pins, clean it up and try it out.

Going to tackle the pickup and the tucker fingers next.

D.

 

[AKfish]

How does the part's baler look? Are you gonna be able to recycle some of the parts for the rebuild?

Or should I buy some more JD stock...?

AKfish