Massey Bale Thrower (MF22) on a Massey Ferguson 124 Square Baler - Issue

[Rightsaidfred]

Hi Guys, Ive been using my Massey 124 Square Baler for about 8 years now and its been flawless until this year. Its equipped with a MF22 Bale thrower on the back.

The thrower is driven by a series of v belts and a shaft. Basically the first belt runs from the flywheel to a pulley (with a moveable sheave) on the end of a long shaft (runs the length of the baler) to another couple of belts that drive the 12" wide thrower belts (like conveyor belts). Bale ejection speed is controlled by a tensioner pulley at the front above the flywheel, as you tighten it it pulls the belt deeper into the moveable sheaves and speeds up the drive shaft.

Second to last bale session of the year the front belt around the flywheel started to slip (it just sits on the surface of the flywheel not in a groove), and the bales were barely making it out of the thrower into the wagon. the belt was at the bottom of the movable shaves and still getting no traction, Quick fix was to back out the stopper bolt that limits the front tensioner and apply a bit extra to the belt.

Last field the year I'd changed the belts, it was better but still not as good as it was. so what else am I missing, it still slips a bit on the front flywheel. Is it possible the spring in the moveable sheave is weak ?

 

[Rightsaidfred]

New Spring is $225 FFS !!!!

Gonna pull it apart and try shimming it instead, $10 in shims vs $225 for a new spring (madness)

 

[pmsmechanic]

Try adding a larger or smaller spring to assist the old spring, or see if you can't find a equivalent generic spring. Also when you have it apart to work on the spring, it would be a good time to make sure the movable sheave slides freely.

 

[Rightsaidfred]

Thanks, I shimmed the existing spring with 2 flat washer shims, we will see what that does next spring. I have 2 more to add if its not enough. I dont want he sheaves so tight that I have to put too much pressure on the belt to get it to open the sheave, ie the opposite problem, then im stretching belts.

Everything was clean in there no crap, sheave slides freely. I cleaned it all anyway and ever so lightly lubed it (no so much that it would fling on the belt).