Used Beater Variable Speed Drives

What is the purpose of a combine harvester's beater variable speed drive?

The beater variable speed drive adjusts the beater's rotation speed according to the crop type and moisture content. It typically consists of two variable flanged pulleys connected by a belt: by moving the flanges closer or farther apart, the belt's effective diameter changes, allowing the beater's speed to vary without stopping the machine. The speed is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder, electric motor, or mechanical linkage depending on the generation. A worn variable speed drive causes irregular threshing, grain loss, or broken grain.

Combine harvester breakdown: dismantling at TMC Bejenne

Each beater variable speed drive comes from a dismantled combine harvester at our Naintré yard. Parts are dismantled, cleaned, identified, and inspected before entering stock, with the original machine's brand and model recorded. For an operation, this is a concrete way to reduce maintenance costs during harvest while reinstalling an original manufacturer part designed to ensure optimal machine performance.

Beater variable speed drives available at TMC Bejenne

• Complete variable speed drives, including drive and driven pulleys.
• Variable flanged pulleys and pulley flanges.
• Hydraulic or electric cylinders and controls for variable speed drives.
• Associated threshing parts: beater shafts, beaters and bars, beater stars.
• For rotor machines: rotor variable speed drives and rotor gearboxes.

How to choose a used beater variable speed drive

Start from the combine's brand, model, and serial number, then note the reference stamped on the variable speed drive's pulley or casing. Compare pulley diameters, control type, and belt width. Also inspect the condition of pulley flanges, bearings, and shaft splines, as these wear first. Our specialized technicians verify compatibility with your machine before shipping.

Beater variable speed drives by combine harvester brand

• New Holland: beater variable speed drives for TX, TF, CX, and CR series, such as the New Holland CR 980, depending on availability.
• Claas: parts for Dominator, Mega, Tucano, and Lexion models.
• John Deere: variable speed drives for 1000, 2000, WTS, and CTS series.
• Deutz-Fahr and Laverda: variable speed drives from conventional shaker-style combine harvesters.
• Case IH: variable speed drives for Axial-Flow models, including 2388 and 6088.
• Massey Ferguson: threshing parts according to the dismantled machines.

New Holland, Claas, and John Deere beater variable speed drives

These three manufacturers represent a large share of combine harvesters in France, and thus many machines pass through our yard. On New Holland, TX and CX series use a variable pulley controlled from the cab. On Claas, Dominator and conventional Lexion models operate on the same principle. For John Deere, WTS and CTS series combine variable speed drives and reducers depending on configurations. In all cases, the pulley reference remains the starting point for your search.

Case IH Axial-Flow, Deutz-Fahr, Laverda, and Massey Ferguson

On Case IH Axial-Flow combines, the transverse beater is replaced by a longitudinal rotor. The variable speed drive then controls the rotor speed: our catalog lists variable speed drives for Axial-Flow 2388 and 6088, and you’ll also find rotor parts in the rotor variable speed drive and rotor gearbox subcategories. Always specify the serial number on an Axial-Flow, as rotor transmissions have evolved through generations. Deutz-Fahr, Laverda, and Massey Ferguson shaker-style machines use a traditional beater variable speed drive. Inventory changes with dismantlings: call us at 05 86 24 00 26 with your machine’s reference.

Old generation and new generation variable speed drives

• Older combines: simple mechanical or hydraulic control, easier to service in workshops.
• Recent machines: electronic control and speed sensor, adjustable from the cab.
• For recent variable speed drives, also check the sensor and control connector.
• Conventional shaker machines: beater and concave driven by the beater variable speed drive.
• Rotor or hybrid machines: different stresses, parts specific to each design.

Axial-Flow variable speed drives: specifics of rotor machines

Case IH Axial-Flow combines, from series 1600 and 2300 up to 6088 and 7088, thresh and separate grain with a single longitudinal rotor. On these machines, the variable speed drive controls the rotor speed and operates under high torque, especially in corn or wet crops. On older Axial-Flow models, speed variation is via pulleys and a belt; later generations changed the rotor transmission. Before ordering a variable speed drive for Axial-Flow, note the series, serial number, and reference of the installed drive. Our used Axial-Flow variable speed drives are inspected like all our threshing parts.

Removing and reinstalling a beater variable speed drive

• Machine stopped and blocked, belt loosened before any work on pulleys.
• Mark the position of flanges, spacers, and controls before removal.
• Check bearings, bushings, and shaft splines when dismantling.
• Refit a good-condition variable speed belt and verify alignment.
• After reassembly, vary the speed across the full range before resuming harvest.

Price of a used combine harvester beater variable speed drive

The price of a used beater variable speed drive depends on the brand, harvester model, pulley condition, and presence of the control. A part from a recent high-capacity machine is priced higher than one from an older machine. In all cases, our used drives are workshop-checked and significantly cheaper than new parts, reducing combine harvester maintenance costs. TMC Bejenne sells on request: pricing is provided via quote.

Why choose TMC Bejenne for your beater variable speed drive

• A specialist in used agricultural parts since 1945.
• An 11-hectare dismantling yard in Naintré and 25,000 references in stock.
• Workshop inspection by specialized technicians before each shipment.
• Original manufacturer parts at prices below new.
• Technical advice and quotes at 05 86 24 00 26.