August 7, 2003

 

Swath With the Combine in Mind, NDSU Specialist Advises

Safe combining of a swathed field is heavily influenced by how the swathing is done, says George Maher, North Dakota State University Extension safety specialist.

Combine drivers with full or nearly full grain tanks should avoid sharp turns, starting and stopping on hillsides. Therefore, a field should be swathed so that these activities are not necessary, Maher advises.

Also, it must be remembered that a combine is not as stable as a swather because of its high center of gravity. It is important to swath carefully around and across erosion ditches, because ditches and gullies can cause a combine to tip, especially if the center of gravity is raised significantly by the addition of grain tank extensions.

"A grain drill puts less weight on the ground for the width covered, so it is easy to plant a crop too close to the edge of a bank or drop-off for safe combining," Maher says. "Try to lay the swath as far from the edge as possible since the weight of a combine can cause the soil to shear off."

Self-propelled combines steer differently than most other farm equipment. Due to rear steering, the back end of the combine swings wide as the machine completes a turn. Keep this in mind as swathing is done near obstructions in the field.

"Always make a backward swath around obstructions such as power lines and telephone poles," Maher says. "This will reduce the chance of hitting the pole since the backward swath causes the combine operator to drive around the pole with the grain auger on the outside of the turn."

"By giving serious thought to the shape and features of a field while swathing, you can start safer combining before getting in the combine seat," Maher says.

Those driving a swather also need to take precautions. "Much of North Dakota is expecting a better than average crop this year, which may require slower operating speed, so allow more time for swathing heavier crops," Maher advises. "Swathing at the proper speed, according to crop conditions and the lay of the land, is safer and will take less time than swathing with frequent stops for unplugging."

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, george.maher@ndsu.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 879-6270, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu