Cutting OSR

[Chris W]

Has anyone got experience cutting OSR without either a header extension or side knives?

First time growing it and only got 30 acres.

Would my header losses be so high it would justify buying a header extension or getting a contractor/neighbour to cut it ?

 

[Chae1]

Swath it.

 

[benny6910]

You will need a side knife you’ll pull your hair out if you try without one.

 

[redsloe]

I grew it last year for the first time. I had a contractor in to do my 35 acres as I didn't think it would take many losses to pay for it.
A lot less stress when the drum blocked........

 

[snarling bee]

Agreed re side knife. having swathed and combined 10,000 acres of OSR over the years - there are rape crops and there are rape crops, but for 30 acres I wouldn't invest in a header extn, you would need to loose a huge amount to pay for a contractor

 

[robo]

Has anyone got experience cutting OSR without either a header extension or side knives?

First time growing it and only got 30 acres.

Would my header losses be so high it would justify buying a header extension or getting a contractor/neighbour to cut it ?

think you would find a side knife for not a lot of money

 

[farmbrew]

Neighbour used to cut it direct with a curved scaffold pole in the place of the side knife to direct the crop to main knife, losses weren't much more than side knife losses.

 

[nxy]

think you would find a side knife for not a lot of money

Got to agree with this, you can get away with only one and a second hand one electric will be a couple of hundred quid at most. You've got all winter to find one.

 

[Tonym]

I have a hydraulic side knife you could have. Much better and more reliable than electric and easy to plumb in to the chaff spreader circuit.

 

[Chris W]

Neighbour used to cut it direct with a curved scaffold pole in the place of the side knife to direct the crop to main knife, losses weren't much more than side knife losses.

I’ve got a set of pole dividers I use for Peas but I think for the sake of 30ac I am probably best off finding a friendly neighbour.

 

[tr250]

Has anyone got experience cutting OSR without either a header extension or side knives?

First time growing it and only got 30 acres.

Would my header losses be so high it would justify buying a header extension or getting a contractor/neighbour to cut it ?

What combine? Not all standard headers are the same

 

[Chris W]

What combine? Not all standard headers are the same

JD C670i with 625R (mechanically variable knife)

 

[tr250]

JD C670i with 625R (mechanically variable knife)

So you can mechanically move the knife forward? That sounds perfect to me with a side knife on the right hand side look at a zurn mechanical side knife

 

[Brisel]

You will need a side knife you’ll pull your hair out if you try without one.

This. With your mechanical extending knife, this is all you need.

 

[Poncherello1976]

Also growing OSR for the first time in a while. Apart from rotation 1 of the factors in deciding to grow it was that with a combine change, the new one to us came with side knives. So as everyone said try and get a knife if you can.

 

[idle git]

JD C670i with 625R (mechanically variable knife)

i have a 625R header but at a loss to your mechanically variable knife

 

[Flatlander]

I’ve swather and straight cut canola for twenty years. Plain cereal dividers can work in light crops but a side knife will pay fir itself in less shattering at the header edges and less headaches. Favourite is the roto shear. Simple hydraulic motor and a disc with serrated sections bolted on. Never blocks,runs smooth cuts clean and few moving parts. Electric side knife for 35 acre would be an ideal match but prone to wear I’d imagine.

 

[David.]

Those rotor shears look the business, but never seen one here.

 

[Chris W]

i have a 625R header but at a loss to your mechanically variable knife

There is 3 different knife positions but lots of bolts and a couple hours (depending on level of rust) work to adjust. Also needs a different drive belt in the fully extended position.

 

[homefarm]

With OSR at least £600/ tonne with bonuses you do not need to save much to pay for a contractor with a vario header, not sure how much they will charge but losses and especially time saved will be substantial.

As stated every year and crop are different and wether you have wheelings due to desiccation.

Pre vario I have cut one way and left the tramlines to be cut separately but every time you stop or need to use the reel you will have big losses.
If you have a low biomass even crop which you can leave to ripen naturally buy a side knife and cut it yourself.
High biomass desiccated lodged get someone experienced with a vario header.