1921.] Kepair & Maintenance of Threshing Machines. 973 



REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF 

 THRESHING MACHINES. 



During and since the War, the state of threshing machinery- 

 has considerably deteriorated owing to lack of labour and 

 materials necessary for repairs, and to the fact (due to scarcity 

 and high cost) that only a small number of new machines 

 have come into use. 



In view of the great difficulty being experienced by threshing 

 machine proprietors, and more especially the smaller con- 

 tractors, in procuring efficient men capable of executing repairs 

 necessary to keep existing plant in a proper state of efficiency, 

 the Ministry has thought it desirable to issue a few simple 

 instructions, in the hope that they will prove to be of assist- 

 ance to those who are not conversant with the essential 

 working parts of a threshing machine. 



There are in use to-day many machines which have had 

 from twenty-five to thirty years' wear, but are still in good 

 order — a result entirely due to their having been maintained 

 in efficient condition and worked by careful attendants. 



Suggestions for Threshing Machine Owners. — The points 

 needing most attention are as follows: — 



Setting. — It is frequently noticed that machines are set for 

 use without proper regard having been paid to the formation 

 of ground on which the machine stands. All threshing 

 machines are constructed so that the drum runs level, and unless 

 this position obtains, the work suffers in consequence. 



Drum. — The beaters of the drum and the bars of the concave 

 have a tendency to wear in the centre and become hollow, 

 thereby making the drum more open at the place where most 

 of the threshing is done, with the result that grain is left in 

 the straw; the drum may also become so close at the ends 

 that the corn is likely to be split (see Sketch A) . When this 

 occurs it is desirable to take the beaters off and pack them up 

 in the centre with cardboard, or other suitable packing 

 material, until they are again in a straight line (see Sketch B) . 

 This can be only done once; when worn down a second time 

 they should be replaced by new^ parts. Spares of this nature 

 should be kept always available. 



The drum bearings and spindle should be kept in good 

 condition and the drum properly balanced. 



The concave bars have a tendency to get worn off on the 

 top edge, and when this happens the bars should be taken out 

 and t-urned, thereby bringing the square edge to the top. 



