HAY Allan

I can't remember if you have one of these abominations...

<img src = "http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u125/27Grainfield/Hay%20machinery/852.jpg">

I'm helping a "friend" with this one. The LH lower tailgate chain idler sprocket fell off and got lost.

I'm wondering if their is a quick way to restrain the tension springs to take the tension off of the chain, or if there's a long threaded rod on each side that has to be loosened.

I'm too lazy to take off the sheetmetal covers over the springs and have a look, so I thought I'd ask here!

HI Bob,

Never been around an 852, however it should be about the same as all the other spring loaded chainers.

Think the springs work that upper sissor, not the lower axle; it never moves and is totally independant of the "tensioner".

Just by opening the door, you've released the tension; don't have to mess with the springs at all.

Have the chain connector links up front and use a come-along to ease the chain apart from itself.

Allan

Should have added:

Open the door clear up, pull the bale forming cams back out and clamp their actuating bolt with a pair of vice grips to hold 'em "out".

Then, let the door back down and you've got all kinds of slack in the chain.

Be careful with that turkey! :>)

Allan

I can tell you that "Just by opening the door, you've released the tension; don't have to mess with the springs at all." doesn't work!

Time to get DOWN AND DIRTY with in in the next day or two, when my "buddy" has a couple of days off of work.

There is no spring tension on the chain with the door open. It is just hanging there and the only "load" is it's own weight.

On the inside of the bale chamber on both sides, there should be these two bale forming cams, one on each side? I'm assuming that they used these cams on the early models?

Just lift the chain off and flop the rascals to the outard position. Let the door down and the chain will then come down and rest on the chamber floor.

There should also be a removable panel on the lower rear portion of the door. However, you can't get that axle/sproket/bearing out until the chain is completely off and out of the way.

Allan

If you chain the arms down in the position they are in the picture with the door wide open, then close the door until its about 2' open the chain will be loose and you can put the sprocket in, there is a lot of tension on the springs when that arm is in that position so make sure you have it secured with good chains or two good winches. Your baler has a kicker and is a later model so the bolt holding the sprocket(sprocket in bottom corner of tailgate) is tapped into the endgate frame instead of a "through bolt" like the other sprockets use. That is a pain getting those bolts out if it is tapped, hopefullly your bolt is still good and just the bearing went out,either way the bolt has to come out, if in fact that is the sprocket in question you can change it with the chain in and slack in the the chain with tension arms tied down in there current position and endgaate partially closed, we have done it several times with our 851's which i think are basically what you have there. I am sure you realize this but be sure to support endgate because you wont be able to use cylnder stops and like Allan said be careful with that thing, they are a dangerous and heavy if not properly secured, good luck with it.