Gleaner A II variable speed drive

Oldoug wrote: I have never operated this combine before…from what I can understand you should be able to push the variable speed lever ahead and the combine should maintain that speed with your hand off the lever…is that correct? If that is correct that means the number 18 poppet has to hold that oil pressure on the cylinder…so when you pull your lever back to slow down something has to push the poppet ahead to release the pressure to collapse the cylinder…what is supposed to do that?

Yes, the combine cab's VS lever has 3 positions (PUSH forward for faster, PULL rearward for slower, & neutral middle). To operate the VS, the combine's engine needs to be running & transmission in neutral or travel motion. Gleaner hydraulics are responsive to its engine rpms ~ high engine rpms->max hyd response, lower engine rpms->less hyd response. Sitting in the operator's cab seat with the cab door locked open, you can lean to your left & watch the VS belt operate as you push/pull VS lever. You will know that the VS belt's tension is properly adjusted, by seeing about 1/8" of outer sheave of the trans input shaft showing above the top of the VS belt when it is in slowest setting. There will be no slack in the VS belt at any setting. At combine startup, be patient for VS to speed up. It's oil takes a bit to travel from valve to VS cylinder, activate, & then belt response. 

Hydraulic oil used in Gleaner is RED automatic transmission Mercon II or whichever is latest version. Maintenance: new VS belt will stretch into norm after first day or so, then readjust tension via belt idler. Grease guidelines: CANISTER SPRING should be lightly coated with grease at clutch repair, INPUT SHAFT BEARING ON CLUTCH BELL HOUSING gets ONE SHOT per month or so. CLUTCH THROW-OUT bearing gets ONE SHOT once a week. INNER HUB of sheave on trans input shaft gets ONE SHOT per day. It contains orings that allow grease to be smeared across input shaft. Any EXCESS grease can be squeeze past inner hub bearing & lands inside canister spring ~ very bad! Don’t over grease it.