Using experience from more than six decades in the belting industry, we’ve outlined a handful of tips and the benefits of belting preventative maintenance for draper headers and balers to help you be more successful in the upcoming harvest season.

Draper Headers

As one of the most important components of a combine, maintaining the functionality of the draper header is critical to maximizing harvesting productivity. Often, identifying problems with the draper belts on your header is as simple as knowing what to look for.

Gauge the belt’s general appearance.

Before putting the machine away for the season, look at the overall appearance of the draper belts. Signs of the following problems could indicate that a replacement is needed before the next harvest:

• Are the edges frayed? Are there tears, cuts, or punctures? If there are holes in the material, there is a greater chance the crop is getting under the belt. If this happens, the crop will build up and stick to the belt, causing it to run less efficiently and potentially result in more holes down the road. If there is catastrophic damage in only one area of the belt, purchasing a draper repair kit would be an option.
• Check the cleats, side seals, and/or v-guides (locations will vary). If they are wearing off, removed, or significantly damaged, it’s likely they aren’t moving your crop from one end to the other as well as they should, and the impairment of these features could be negatively affecting the draper’s fit, form, and function on your header.
• What is the condition of the connector? Is the tube damaged, bent, or twisted? A slight bow (1/4” to 1/2”) when the belt is under tension is normal, but if the connector is bent or twisted, it should be replaced. Not replacing the connector at this point risks interference that will rip out the connector and tear the draper belt forcing immediate replacement.

Clean the belts and run them dry to check their performance.

In addition to a visual inspection of the equipment, we recommend running the machine without any crop to watch for potential issues. To do this, open the draper, clean out excess dust and dirt, and make sure the header is free of mud. Next, close it up, tension it, and operate it to make sure it’s running smoothly. When it’s running, make sure the belt is adjusted and tracking correctly. Look for any general operating items that might be causing issues or that are out of the ordinary that may prevent success during your next harvest. If you do have a problem, contact your dealer or the equipment manufacturer for support.

Track the belt’s usage.

To get a general idea of when you might need to replace your belt, we recommend tracking the hours the machine spends in the field. A typical replacement schedule is 500 hours on a draper header, which is about a three-to-five-year replacement schedule but is dependent on the output. Custom harvesters, for example, could warrant replacing their draper belting every season.

Balers

A baler is another piece of equipment that is heavily dependent on efficient and well-functioning belts for success. Although the specific signs of deterioration vary from those of the draper header, it’s still relatively simple to identify problems ahead of next season if you know where to look.

Check the key indicators – belt texture, pattern, and lacing.

Baler belt length, width, texture or pattern (mini rough top, rough top, diamond top, etc.), overall gauge, lacing type, and other specifications are determined by the manufacturer according to the design and function of the baler. Pay close attention to the surface of your baler belt. If the texture or pattern is wearing down, it could indicate that your belt isn’t working at its full capacity because it will pick up the crop and bale differently. With a fresh belt and pattern, the baler will roll more efficiently. Fraying or missing rubber on the cover are also indications that it’s time to consider a new belt.

Replace a full set for the most optimal for performance.

Unlike draper belting which can be replaced as needed, baler equipment functions the most optimally if the whole set of baler belts is replaced at the same time. Among other tangible benefits, this helps to ensure even tensioning. To determine if you have consistent tension across the set of baler belts, run the equipment dry to see if one of the belts is moving or flopping around more. If it is, consider replacing the set to ensure effective baling next season.

Replace a partial set or repair the splice/belt to save downtime.

It is possible to replace only one or two belts in a set. In this case, it’s critical to measure the length of the belts and order to that new length. Baler belts are made of rubber and fabric which can stretch and flex over time. You need the measurement of the belts being replaced rather than the length when installed. If the new belts are shorter than the others on the machine, it can affect output, lead to premature belt failure, and equipment malfunction.

Lacing should be aligned squarely on the belt with no evidence of tearing where it is attached to the belt construction. If there is tearing around the splice, consider replacing the splice as a part of preventative maintenance. If there is significant wear around the splice or an area on the belt with catastrophic damage, a baler belt repair kit may be an option, but during install ensure the lacing is at least 18” to 24” apart for smooth transition over the rollers.

General Belting Maintenance

Sourcing quality replacement parts and components, and following the care instructions for each, will reduce the total cost of ownership of a machine.

For example, WCCO Belting’s products are manufactured with a rubber compound designed with UV protection to withstand damage from sunlight. Over time and through exposure to the sun and other elements, the white residue you may see on a belt is its natural protectant. As the waxes in the rubber start to bloom and lose moisture, the cover will start to crack. Storing machinery with belting indoors is a good way to prevent these issues. If there isn’t a place to store equipment inside, achieving coverage with a tarp is a relatively easy way to extend the life of the belt.

While the thought of finishing a harvest season and saying goodbye to the equipment until the next season may be appealing, spending a little more time with your equipment post-harvest will save time and money in the future. Specific benefits include:

• Taking care of your belts in the off-season will prevent in-season downtime.
• There is a cost-benefit to assessing your machinery in the off-season and making replacement purchases at that time when you’re likely to get a lower price than in the height of the season.
• Checking your equipment can offer peace of mind knowing your machine will run smoothly during harvest and better protect your bottom-line.

While there may not be a tried and true “test” that you can use to see if your machinery or belt is still operating at 100% capacity, using these tips and tricks after every harvest season could increase the longevity of your belt, improve the operating efficiency of your equipment, and help ensure there won’t be any surprises heading into next season.

The article was written by Chad Haugen, Senior Engineer of Product Development at WCCO Belting. Chad Haugen is a senior product development engineer at WCCO Belting.

The post Build your Bounty in the Offseason with Belting Preventative Maintenance appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

To avoid making the wrong choice, the best place to start is with the make and model of the equipment. For example, for swather canvas – canvas being an old industry term for belting – is it for a pull-type swather, self-propelled swather, or harvest header? When speaking with a representative or working through an online catalog on a website, once the make and model are identified, there are other investigative questions to help identify the part number needed.

Using experience from six-plus decades in the belting industry, this article will prepare growers to have that conversation with suppliers to source quality replacement belting with confidence.

Draper Platforms

There are different platform cut sizes as well as a right draper, a left draper, and a center or feeder belt. How to tell right from left is the view from the seat of the cab. Start by identifying which belt needs to be replaced since the lengths and features between right and left can vary. For example, cleats are placed approximately every 12” perpendicular to belt length and can run the full width of the belt or may be recessed. So that there is no interference, the measurement of the recessed cleat to the belt edge may be needed to determine the correct replacement.

The other features on a draper belt could v-guides, side seal(s), and the connector assembly.  V-guides, located on the bottom side, help track and drive the belt. Their locations vary and are specific to each manufacturer. Measuring the center v-guide location to the belt edge can lead you to the correct replacement. Side seals, located on the top side, help prevent material from going under the belt and building up on the rollers. The belt may have two side seals if it was original to the machine. The connector assembly is the metal part that connects the belt ends. If you are only ordering a new connector, the hole quantity and location measurements can guide you to the correct part.

Balers

Baler equipment functions optimally if the whole set is replaced at the same time. If only one or two belts are needed, it is important to measure the length of the belts at the present time (not the original length) prior to contacting a supplier. Baler belts are made of rubber and fabric which can stretch and flex over time. If the new belts are shorter than the others on the machine, it can affect output and lead to premature belt failure.

The baler belt length, width, texture or pattern, overall gauge, lacing type, and other specifications are determined by the manufacturer according to the design and function of the baler. Significantly deviating from their recommendation could result in equipment malfunction and downtime. For example, going from a 2-ply belt to a 3-ply belt (adding an additional layer of rubber and fabric) or changing the top pattern will increase the overall gauge and the baler may not be designed with enough clearance.

In some circumstances, a more aggressive baler belt is desired and a qualified supplier will be able to provide options. Minor changes, such as changing from texture top (TT) cover to mini rough top (MRT) cover or slightly increasing the overall gauge can have positive impacts when it comes to starting the bale and rolling it tight. Going “the next step up” is the best rule for increasing the aggressiveness of baler belting.

Tube Conveyors

The make and model are the best places to start when replacing tube conveyor belting, as well. Next,  measure the belt’s length and width, and check out the top pattern. The two most common industry patterns are crescent and continuous chevron. While the conveyor manufacturer may specify their preference, these patterns are interchangeable. Although, the pattern height varies slightly (0.125” continuous chevron and 0.187” crescent.) There may also be options related to the belt construction ranging from more flexible to rigid. If the material is falling under the belt, for example, a more rigid belt could be a solution.

If the tube conveyor is using a belt with taller cleats or paddles, typically 2” in height, it is essential to order the manufacturer’s original belt or a belt that matches the width, length, and cleat height measurements to ensure fit and clearance while operating. If downtime has occurred due to cleats tearing off, ask the supplier where the new belt is being sourced and how it’s made. Belt fabricators use an adhesive to glue cleats/paddles to the existing belt construction. Premature cleat failure often results. On the other hand, experienced belting manufacturers use a single-step vulcanization process which eliminates cleat delamination or tearing.

Most tube conveyor belts use the Alligator RS125 fastener. There are steel and stainless-steel options. The application or products being conveyed can help make this determination. For example, if fertilizer is being used, a qualified supplier would suggest stainless-steel.

Understanding belting basics and being prepared to answer questions to source the correct parts will drive both uptime and output. Familiarizing oneself with the belting on the machine today and spending just a little extra time speaking with a knowledgeable supplier will pay off in spades down the road, both in terms of keeping the operation running smoothly and improving the total cost of ownership.

The article was written by Chad Haugen, Senior Product Development Engineer, WCCO Belting

Source: WCCO Belting

The post WCCO Belting Presents the Grower’s Guide to Replacing Belting appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.