The rust in the head seems to cause part of the problem but that is only an observation based on a small improvement as the head shines up. We have waxed some of the rusty areas to speed up the process. We are planning to wax or paint the key areas of the head after harvest to see if we can reduce the poor feeding for next time. We do not have a head manual for the model 8000 head so any adjustment is our best guess. The feeder drum does not seem that deep but do you know how far from the auger it should beIJ We would have to buy chain to extend it out if that is the problem. I would hate to move it out and cause a bigger problem!