Tips for Combining Flattened Crops

[Einstien]

OK, so I'm relatively new to this combining lark - only grow a small amount of crops - noticed with this on off rain, the Oats are as I expected leaning over, not quite flat on the floor but may well end up being looking at the weather...

I've got the crop lifters fitted onto the combine, any other tips (Other than maybe go a bit steady LoL)?

 

[Boysground]

Make sure lifters are not bent. Push the reel forward don't run it too fast. Adjust the reel tines so they grab a little more. I try and let the combine control the header as much as possible, it tends to bulldoze less. When you go ploughing don't let the soil stay on the header it will eventually clog the intake and even worse the concave. You will find the crop will flow in better when you are traveling in different directions so be prepared to split the field and cut it the best way.

The biggest change will be made when the sun comes out. Just keep looking and adjusting things you will finish in the end.

Bg

 

[colhonk]

Heads first into the header, or sideways into header. As above with the reel.

 

[jms37]

Everything above, especially a good warm sunny day. A slight wiggle of the steering as u go I find helps too.

 

[Selectamatic]

Try to cut across the lay of it as much as possible.

I lift the dividers up out of use when it's flat.

If you go after it you'll just run over it, if you go toward it there is a risk that the auger gets hold and pulls before the knife has cut it, hence, where possible go across.

A header tidily picking up laid stuff leaving clean stubble is a very satisfying sight.

 

[Einstien]

I did go and cut a sample, seemed to cut it well, seems a balancing act with the reel letting it hold it enough where flat but not to get any follow the reel around! Might be easier if it all bloomin led flat! Should I be concerned about the reel knocking any of the oats out before the knife, I checked behind me and it doesn't appear to be loosing any, but that's my only concern....

think it will be a few days before I can try anyhow....

 

[Happy]

Good hews is Oats tend to sit up off the ground when they go down and are fairly easy to lift/feed in.

Flat Barley and wheat not nearly as easy to do.

 

[B'o'B]

The lifters work better with the header just off the ground. If you lower the header right to the ground the points of the lifters actually raises up

 

[bobk]

Cutting one way is always a good laugh..... not

 

[Farmer Miggins]

A slight wiggle of the steering as u go I find helps too.

I bet the baler driver loves you!

 

[jms37]

I bet the baler driver loves you!

l said a slight wiggle! Unfortunately quite often I have to step off the combine & recalibrate myself for the baler! In fact Tuesday springs to mind!

 

[Barleymow]

Carry a big screwdriver to dig the mud from the fingers when it builds up and knife can't cut

 

[Vernon]

Depends if you like lifters or not. Myself for necked barley, crops where some is lodged and cutting wheat where the deer run I'll use lifters. If it's proper flat like the barley I'm half way through cutting then lifters off, header at a height it doesn't bulldoze, reel down below knife level and out, and a bit faster than forward speed lifting it ahead of the knife. Don't go too slow, and get the crop feeding itself back to the auger. That's with Nh combine. As already said find which way it goes best. It's a job only leaned by getting out there and having a go really.
Vernon

 

[Spud]

Always easier if the ground is level, roller men who miss bits and cultivation men who are unable to leave a level field should cut laid crops....

 

[Oat]

Just hope that the best direction to cut isn't across the tramlines which have become trenches after a wet autumn

As others have said, don't have the table so low that the lifters actually start to point upwards, go across the direction of lodging, and take things at a steady pace so you have time to react to changing conditions.

 

[Lincsman]

Dont have a 40' header.

 

[Spencer]

Dont have a 40' header.

 

[DrWazzock]

Watch for sections that have stopped cutting. Usually means it's starting to push soil underneath. Back up and clean before carrying on.

Get the feel for how much pressure to let off the bed Rams to allow it to skid lightly along the ground. It's not just about bed height. You need to be carrying it as it skids along not leaving deadweight to the ground or it will bulldoze.

 

[Selectamatic]

That's easy though, when it's flat, rotten and growing through, that's the challenge!

 

[Cordiale]

Always easier if the ground is level, roller men who miss bits and cultivation men who are unable to leave a level field should cut laid crops....

In my opinion combine drivers who can't be bothered to pick up flat crops properly should be made to plough the fields.