Been a lot of discussion over the years about the triple gears in JD corn heads.

Also seems to be a lot of confusion over exactly when they started appearing by serial number breaks. 

I unfortunately just found out I do not have the updated triple gears in my new to me 693 corn head. So I get to go through the same ordeal I did back in 1998 when I switched them over in my 443 head.

Thought I would post a picture for comparison for all who are not sure of the differences.

The gear on the right is the old style where you can visibly see the weld around the hex insert.

The gear on the left is the newer style gear designed for knife rolls. It is assembled with melt rings that are fused together in a furnace. That was the gist of the email I received from someone directly at Deere back in 98 when I looked into this the first time around. 

On another note who here has dealers that swap out rebuilt gearboxes ? What all are rebuilt in them ?  all the gears and shafts ,seals, bearings etc ? or just whatever has failed in them? What do those exchanges cost ? outright ? or are you just billed for what it takes to make your exchange good ? 

Or are you better off to just rebuild your own providing you have the time and don't need one ASAP.

Are there aftermarket sources for these boxes and are they any good ?

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