August 2, 2001

Proper Equipment Can Help Address Wet Harvest Conditions

With harvest coming on the heels of thunderstorms and heavy rains across the region, getting a lodged crop out of wet fields may be a challenge for many farmers.

"The recent rains with wind have laid a significant amount of grain on the ground. This can cause problems in getting across the field and getting the crop into the combine," notes North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer Vern Hofman.

"Finger pickup reels almost may be a necessity to lift the grain off the soil," Hofman says. "A flexible floating cutter bar with lifter guards also can be a big help." The flexible floating cutter bar will ride on the soil surface and the lifter guards will help the reel left the grain up above the cutter bar. The guards’ front points ride on the soil surface and use spring action to lift the guards up and over obstructions.

"The flexible cutter bar, guards and pickup reel together can help left the crop up 3 or 4 inches so the cutter bar can slide under the heads and cut them it off," Hofman explains. Combine operators will need to reduce speeds as compared to working in crops that are standing upright. "When you’re working that close to the soil surface, you need to take time to allow tangled grain to feed into the machine and to avoid to damaging the combine. Also, more plant material will be running through the combine. And when the crop is laying on wet soil, it may be wetter as well, requiring slower speeds for the combine to do it’s job."

Pickup reels and lifter guards can be installed on a swather, but cutting the crop close to ground level will mean the windrow will almost be laying on bare soil, Hofman notes. With little stubble to hold the windrow up, little air movement will occur under the swath, slowing drying. Also, if more rain occurs a swath may be extremely slow to dry and sprouting in the windrow could occur.

"Getting a swather through a wet field can create another problem. Leaving the crop stand and straight combining may be the best option as standing grain heads will usually dry faster than in a swath," Hofman says.

"Getting a combine through wet fields could also be a challenge," he notes. "Tracks on a combine may be desirable, but adding a dual (tire) wheel may be the most economical way to help float the combine through a wet field."

Hofman recommends adding a slightly smaller tire on the outside to help reduce stress on the combine axle. When the main tire sinks in, the extra tire will help carry the load. When an extra tire is added, the main tire can operate at a slightly lower pressure, which will cause it to spread over a larger surface area. Be sure the combine weight with a full grain tank does not overload the tires at reduced tire pressures

Add-on tracks are available but may require a significant investment. Purchasing tracks for a combine may require 10 to 15 days to build and may need to be purchased in quantities of 10 sets through an implement dealer, Hofman notes. "But tracks may mean the difference between harvesting the crop or leaving a major portion in the field," he says. It may be best to check with an implement dealer in your area about availability of tracks.

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Source: Vern Hofman, (701) 231-7240, vhofman@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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