Would you believe this Harman auger has not been cleaned in 10 years?

Hello
It is a Harman XXV . The Auger Bearing is still in perfect condition, but the auger has some buildup!
Does it need a good cleaning?

 

Since I was installing a new chain & sprocket kit it was a good time to clean the motor.
Luckily the auger motor is still running good.
Note:
The upgraded sprockets in the newer kit are both the same size,

This 10 year old white chain tensioner has seen better days!

 

Everything looks fine, Don. Actually, can just loosen and rotate that white tensioner to a unworn spot and get another 10 years out of it.......

 

The chain was sprockets had some wear. Do you know about when Harman went to the newer same size sprockets?
Also I saw a stove that did not have a tensioner. When did they add that?

 

I couldn't tell you when , Don.
No tensioner would be a very early unit, probably an Advance.

 

I'll let you clean mine when it is time for the P61a. been 5 years without anything done to it. P43 probably hasn't ever been done either - certainly hasn't since I've been in possession of it (and unlikely that the previous owner did so). However, the P43 runs a lot less pellets than the P61a.

 

Sure, I will do it.
It is always good to take them out and clean them and check them. I have seen almost new Harman augers with sloppy welds with bits of pointed slag splattered on the flight and shaft. See pics below

Also check the bearing to see if it is sluggish
See my vid


Here is my posting from another forum!
Batman look at this Harman Auger & chute!
Boy what a blunder!

I just janked the Harman P61 auger for some super auger service. I cleaned and buffed the auger and ground down the welds a little so the pellets would flow more smoothly. Afterwards, I gave it a good coat of Dry Moly spray. Then I looked in the auger shaft and Holy Moly! What a severe case of Auger Pox Syndrome (APS)! So many slag pimples on the right and such a big blob of slag on the left! Amazing that it was still feeding wood pellets! ! ! Goes to show Harman's parts are more rugged.

I ground them down and then will apply some dry moly spray.

See pics below.
Click to enlarge

 

Here is just another pic of a Harman dirty auger!