Top 10 Wear Parts to Replace Before Harvest Season

1. Rubber Tracks (Crawler Tracks)

Why it matters: Rubber tracks are the foundation of your crawler combine. A broken track means your machine is completely immobilized. Tracks suffer constant stress from traction, turning, and weight load.

Inspection points:

• Check tread depth — replace if less than 50%
• Look for cracks, splits, or exposed steel cords
• Check guide lugs for damage or missing pieces
• Verify track tension is within specification

Common part numbers: 400×90×46, 450×90×48

Replacement tip: Always replace tracks in pairs (left and right) to ensure even wear.

2. Cutter Bar / Knife Sections

Why it matters: The cutter bar is responsible for cutting the crop. Worn or damaged knife sections result in poor cutting quality, increased power consumption, and potential crop loss. A dull cutter bar can also cause the machine to plug.

Inspection points:

• Check each knife section for chips, cracks, or excessive wear
• Verify knife sections are sharp — replace if dull
• Check knife clips and hold-down clips for wear
• Inspect wobble box or drive mechanism for play

Replacement tip: It's often more cost-effective to replace the entire knife bar assembly rather than individual sections if multiple sections are worn.

3. Feeder Chains and Sprockets

Why it matters: The feeder chain transports cut crop from the header to the threshing drum. A worn chain can skip, break, or cause uneven feeding, leading to threshing problems and crop loss.

Inspection points:

• Check chain tension — should have 10-15mm of play
• Inspect chain links for wear, elongation, or damage
• Check sprockets for hooked or worn teeth
• Verify chain guides and wear strips are in good condition

Replacement tip: Always replace chains and sprockets together. A new chain on worn sprockets will wear out quickly.

4. Threshing Drum Wires / Concaves

Why it matters: The threshing drum and concave are the heart of your combine, responsible for separating grain from the stalk. Worn drum wires or concaves result in poor threshing, increased grain damage, and higher losses.

Inspection points:

• Check drum wires for wear, bending, or breakage
• Inspect concave bars for wear and proper spacing
• Verify drum-to-concave clearance is within specification
• Check for cracks or damage in the drum structure

Replacement tip: Keep a set of spare concave bars on hand — they can be adjusted or rotated to extend life.

5. Augers (Feeder, Grain, Tailings)

Why it matters: Augers transport grain throughout the machine. Worn auger flights reduce conveying efficiency, can cause plugging, and may damage grain. A broken auger in the grain tank can cause significant losses.

Inspection points:

• Check auger flighting for wear — replace if worn more than 30%
• Inspect auger tube for wear or damage
• Check bearings and seals for play or leakage
• Verify auger alignment and proper clearance

Replacement tip: Auger flighting can sometimes be rebuilt by welding, but for critical augers (grain tank unloading), replacement is recommended.

6. Belts (All Drive Belts)

Why it matters: Belts drive virtually every system on your combine — header, feeder, threshing, cleaning, grain handling. A broken belt can disable an entire system and cause cascading damage.

Inspection points:

• Check all belts for cracks, fraying, or glazing
• Verify belt tension is within specification
• Inspect pulleys for wear or damage
• Check belt alignment — misalignment causes premature wear

Replacement tip: Keep a complete set of spare belts on hand. Belts are relatively inexpensive and can save you hours of downtime.

7. Bearings (All Pivot and Rotating Points)

Why it matters: Bearings support every rotating shaft on your combine. A failed bearing can cause catastrophic damage to shafts, housings, and adjacent components. Bearings are also a common source of unexpected breakdowns.

Inspection points:

• Check all bearings for excessive play or roughness
• Listen for unusual noise during operation
• Verify bearings are properly greased
• Check for heat buildup — indicates lubrication failure

Replacement tip: Pay special attention to high-load bearings (threshing drum, feeder, augers). These should be replaced proactively every 2-3 seasons.

8. Sieves and Cleaning Shoe Components

Why it matters: The cleaning system separates grain from chaff and debris. Worn or damaged sieves result in poor cleaning, increased grain loss, and lower grain quality. A plugged sieve can cause the machine to overload.

Inspection points:

• Check sieve wires for bending, breakage, or blockage
• Verify sieve adjustments move freely
• Inspect cleaning shoe bearings and drives
• Check fan blades for wear or damage

Replacement tip: Clean sieves thoroughly before inspection — debris can hide damage. Replace any sieve with more than 10% damaged wires.

9. Filters (Oil, Fuel, Air, Hydraulic)

Why it matters: Filters protect your engine and hydraulic system from contamination. Clogged filters reduce performance, increase fuel consumption, and can cause premature engine or component failure. Filters are cheap insurance against expensive repairs.

Inspection points:

• Replace engine oil and oil filter
• Replace fuel filter (primary and secondary)
• Inspect and replace air filter if dirty
• Replace hydraulic oil filter
• Check coolant condition and replace if needed

Replacement tip: Always use quality filters. Cheap filters may not provide adequate filtration and can damage your engine. Keep spare filters on hand for mid-season changes.

10. Gears and Gearbox Components

Why it matters: Gearboxes transmit power to critical systems (header, feeder, threshing, wheels). Worn gears or damaged gearboxes can cause complete system failure and are expensive to repair. Gearbox failures are often catastrophic and require major repairs.

Inspection points:

• Check gearbox oil level and condition
• Listen for unusual noise during operation
• Check for oil leaks around seals and gaskets
• Inspect gears for wear, pitting, or damage (if accessible)
• Verify gearbox mounts are tight and in good condition

Replacement tip: If a gearbox is making unusual noise or has metal particles in the oil, have it inspected immediately. Continuing to operate a damaged gearbox can cause catastrophic failure.