Gearboxes for Beet Harvesting Machines: DI-SAN DS302, DS308 and DS309

A beet harvesting machine combines working and conveying mechanisms that require different rotational speeds and torque levels. The gearbox transmits power, changes the direction of rotation and establishes the speed required by a particular machine unit.

DI-SAN offers the DS302, DS308 and DS309 gearboxes for beet harvesting equipment. All three models are designed for an input speed of 540 rpm, but they differ in gear ratio, output speed, permissible power, torque and shaft configuration.

What Machines Are the DS302, DS308 and DS309 Designed For?

DS302, DS308 and DS309 are classified under Beet Harvesting Machine gearboxes.

They can be used in the drives of working and conveying mechanisms where rotation must be transferred at an angle, reduced to a lower speed or maintained without change. The specific installation position depends on the machine design and its driveline configuration.

Being intended for the same category of machinery does not make these gearboxes interchangeable. Each model has its own power rating, gear ratio, shaft arrangement and mounting geometry.

Technical Specifications of the DI-SAN DS302, DS308 and DS309

DI-SAN DS302: Speed Reduction and Two Output Shafts

The DS302 gearbox has a gear ratio of 3:1. With an input speed of 540 rpm, it reduces the output speed to 180 rpm. Its rated input power is 30 hp, or 22 kW, while the output torque is 1,150 Nm.

According to the official diagram, the DS302 has three bevel gears. One input shaft transmits rotation to two output shafts. This arrangement allows power to be distributed in two directions in accordance with the machine’s driveline configuration.

Reducing the rotational speed by a factor of three increases the torque available at the output. This allows the gearbox to drive mechanisms that require a relatively low speed and considerable tractive force.

DI-SAN specifies 0.50 litres of SAE 90 or SAE 140 oil for the DS302. The gearbox weighs 16.50 kg.

The DI-SAN DS302 gearbox can be ordered from BAS.

DI-SAN DS308: Power Transmission Without a Change in Speed

The DS308 has a gear ratio of 1:1. Its input and output speeds are identical at 540 rpm. The gearbox does not reduce the rotational speed but transfers power between the shafts in accordance with the driveline design.

The stated input power is 75 hp, or 56 kW. The output torque is 930 Nm. The gearbox uses a pair of bevel gears.

In this case, the term “gearbox” is the generally accepted name for the mechanical unit. Technically, the DS308 operates as a right-angle drive that maintains the same rotational speed.

The oil capacity is 2.00 litres, and the gearbox weighs 62.50 kg. The manufacturer recommends SAE 90 or SAE 140 oil.

Product page: DI-SAN DS308 gearbox.

DI-SAN DS309: High Output Torque

The DS309 gearbox is designed for more powerful drives in beet harvesting machines. Its gear ratio is 2.69:1. With an input speed of 540 rpm, the output shaft rotates at 201 rpm.

The model has a stated input power of 110 hp, or 82 kW. Its output torque reaches 3,784 Nm. Of the three models considered, the DS309 has the highest permissible power and the highest output torque.

The gearbox has a multi-shaft configuration designed to transmit and distribute power in accordance with the machine’s driveline layout. The manufacturer’s drawing also states that dimension L can be produced according to the customer’s requirements.

SAE 90 or SAE 140 oil is used for lubrication. The nominal oil capacity is 1.50 litres.

The DI-SAN DS309 gearbox is available to order through BAS.

Why the DS302, DS308 and DS309 Are Not Interchangeable

All three gearboxes have the same input speed of 540 rpm, but they establish different operating modes:

• the DS302 reduces the speed to 180 rpm and provides an output torque of 1,150 Nm;
• the DS308 transfers rotation at a 1:1 ratio, maintaining a speed of 540 rpm;
• the DS309 reduces the speed to 201 rpm and develops an output torque of 3,784 Nm.

Installing the DS308 instead of a reduction gearbox would cause the working mechanism to operate at a significantly excessive speed. Replacing the DS302 with the DS309, or vice versa, is also unacceptable without an engineering assessment: the models differ in power, torque, internal design, number of shafts and connection dimensions.

A gearbox must be selected according to its technical specifications and drawing, rather than solely by application or the external appearance of the housing.

What Does an Input Speed of 540 rpm Mean?

The value of 540 rpm represents the nominal speed of the gearbox input shaft. However, this does not mean that every model is necessarily connected directly to the tractor’s PTO.

The driveline of a beet harvesting machine may include PTO shafts, chain drives, intermediate shafts or other transmission components between the power source and the gearbox. The important requirement is that the speed specified by the manufacturer is provided directly at the gearbox input.

Excessive input speed increases the load on the gears, bearings and seals. Insufficient speed changes the operating mode of the driven mechanism and can reduce machine productivity.

How to Select a Gearbox for a Beet Harvesting Machine

Before ordering, verify:

1. The make and model of the beet harvesting machine.
2. The designation of the original gearbox.
3. The purpose of the driven mechanism.
4. The required input speed.
5. The required output speed.
6. The gear ratio.
7. The permissible power.
8. The required torque.
9. The number, arrangement and direction of rotation of the shafts.
10. The type and dimensions of the spline connections.
11. The mounting dimensions and distances between holes.
12. The gearbox position on the machine frame.

If the identification marking on the original unit is damaged or missing, gearbox selection requires photographs of the unit from all sides, images of the shafts and mounting points, and the principal connection dimensions.

Particular attention must be paid to the direction of rotation. An identical gear ratio does not guarantee compatibility if the shafts are arranged differently or the output rotation is transmitted in another direction.

Lubrication and Maintenance

DI-SAN recommends SAE 90 or SAE 140 oil for the DS302, DS308 and DS309. Their nominal oil capacities differ:

• DS302 — 0.50 litres;
• DS308 — 2.00 litres;
• DS309 — 1.50 litres.

The specified oil level must be maintained during operation. Insufficient lubricant impairs the lubrication of the gear teeth and bearings. Overfilling can cause increased pressure, overheating and leakage through the seals.

Before the beginning of the season, inspect:

• the oil level and condition;
• the housing for damage;
• the seals and joints for leakage;
• play in the input and output shafts;
• the condition of the splines;
• the tightness of the mounting bolts;
• the alignment of the driveline components;
• the gearbox for unusual noise or vibration.

The oil-change interval should be determined according to the operating manual of the particular machine and its working conditions.

Principal Causes of Gearbox Wear

Gearboxes in beet harvesting equipment operate under variable loads. Working units interact with soil and root crops, while conveying mechanisms can be overloaded when blocked by plant material.

The principal causes of premature wear include:

• overloading or blockage of the driven mechanism;
• operation at an incorrect input speed;
• insufficient oil level;
• use of an unsuitable lubricant;
• leakage through worn seals;
• misalignment of shafts and PTO drivelines;
• damaged or worn spline connections;
• loose gearbox mountings;
• impact loads caused by abrupt start-up;
• prolonged operation with damaged bearings;
• vibration caused by faults in adjacent mechanisms.

The appearance of humming, knocking, increased vibration, shaft play or excessive housing temperature indicates that the machine should be stopped and the driveline inspected.

DI-SAN Gearboxes for Beet Harvesting Machines from BAS

BAS supplies gearboxes manufactured by the Turkish company DI-SAN and helps customers select a suitable model according to its gear ratio, power, torque, shaft configuration and mounting dimensions.

For accurate selection, customers should provide the machine model, the marking of the original gearbox, photographs of the unit and its connection dimensions. This allows compatibility to be checked in advance and reduces the risk of ordering an unsuitable model.

The DI-SAN DS302, DS308 and DS309 are designed for beet harvesting machine drives, but they have different technical specifications and perform different functions.

The DS302 reduces the speed from 540 to 180 rpm, is rated for 22 kW and provides an output torque of 1,150 Nm. The DS308 operates at a 1:1 ratio, transfers 540 rpm and has a permissible power of 56 kW and an output torque of 930 Nm. The DS309 reduces the speed to 201 rpm, is rated for 82 kW and develops an output torque of 3,784 Nm.

Selection must take account not only of the gearbox model but also of the gear ratio, shaft arrangement, direction of rotation, spline connections and mounting geometry. Precise compatibility of these parameters determines correct drive operation and the reliability of the entire beet harvesting machine.