Many people underestimate the effect of uneven weight in the cutterhead housing, blower, kernel processor or forage harvester pulleys. A difference of only 18 grams produces impacts equivalent to 8.5 kilograms, as explained in the video. Westerink Parts supplies perfectly balanced parts, so your machine runs without vibration and you can avoid costly repairs.
In this video, Bas explains how a small difference in knife weight can cause major bearing damage.
Introduction
You have fitted a new set of knives but are one short. You take a used knife from storage. It still looks good, but it has been used. Can that cause harm?
Using a calculation and a practical test, Bas Lindeboom shows that this small difference can have disastrous consequences for your machine.
The calculation error that destroys your machine
A weight difference of only 18 grams between the knives seems negligible on a ten-tonne machine. At 1,200 revolutions per minute and a diameter of 60 cm, however, those 18 grams create an imbalance equivalent to 8.5 kilograms. Imagine an 8.5-kilogram weight striking your bearings, pulleys and cutterhead bearing housings 1,200 times per minute.
Where does the imbalance occur?
Imbalance enters your machine more quickly than you might think. It is not only caused by unequal knives, but also by:
- Blower vanes
- Pulleys
- Kernel processor rolls
- Idler pulleys
Prevention is better than repair
If damage has already occurred, Westerink Parts keeps nearly all bearings in stock. It is even better to prevent imbalance by always working with matching sets and keeping your pulleys clean.
In brief
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What is the risk?
A small weight difference creates enormous forces that can load your bearings 1,200 times per minute. -
When does it occur?
When new and used knives are combined, or when dirt accumulates in the pulleys or other machine components. -
What are the consequences?
Damaged bearings, broken cutterhead bearing housings and unnecessary downtime. -
Where is it available?
Westerink Parts supplies balanced components and keeps all replacement bearings in stock.
