5 Must-Have Features in a Corn Harvester

Sep. 23, 2024

The Essential Components of a Combine Harvester

A combine harvester, also known as a combine, is a large agricultural machine that is used to harvest crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans, and other grains. It combines several different functions into one machine, including cutting, threshing, and cleaning the grain.

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The combine harvester is typically pulled by a tractor and has a cutting platform at the front that cuts the stalks of the crops and feeds them into the machine. Inside the combine, a threshing drum separates the grain from the straw and chaff, while a cleaning system removes any remaining debris. The grain is then stored in a hopper or transferred to a trailer for transport.

Modern combines are often equipped with advanced technologies such as GPS, yield mapping, and automated controls, which help to optimize the harvesting process and improve efficiency. They are widely used in large-scale agriculture and have revolutionized the way that crops are harvested, making the process faster, more efficient, and more reliable.

There are several companies that provide OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts for agriculture equipment. Some of the major manufacturers of combine harvesters and their associated OEM parts suppliers include:

Mechanical parts commonly used in a combine harvester

Reel

The reel of a combine harvester is a rotating component that helps to lift the crop from the ground and move it towards the cutter bar. The reel is made up of several parts, including:

Reel bats
These are the metal arms that extend from the reel shaft and rotate to lift the crop.
Fingers
These are smaller metal tines that are attached to the reel bats and help to lift the crop.
Bearings
These are the bearings that support the reel shaft and allow it to rotate smoothly.
Drive
This is the mechanism that drives the reel shaft and makes it rotate.
Speed control
This is the mechanism that allows the operator to control the speed of the reel rotation.
Height adjustment
This is the mechanism that allows the operator to adjust the height of the reel to suit the crop height.

Cutter bar

The cutter bar is a critical component of a combine harvester that cuts the crop as it moves through the field. The cutter bar is typically made up of several parts, including:

Knife sections
These are the blades that are mounted on the cutter bar and do the actual cutting of the crop.
Guards
These are metal plates that are mounted over the knife sections to protect them from damage.
Hold-downs
These are metal fingers that help to hold the crop in place as it is being cut.
Reel fingers
These are the same metal tines that are attached to the reel and help to lift the crop towards the cutter bar.
Knife drive
This is the mechanism that drives the knife sections and makes them cut the crop.
Knife speed control
This is the mechanism that allows the operator to control the speed of the knife sections.

Threshing drum

The threshing drum is a component of a combine harvester that separates the grain from the straw and chaff. It is a cylindrical drum that rotates and contains a series of bars, teeth or rasp bars that rub against the crop as it passes through.

The threshing drum is made up of several parts, including:

Drum bars
These are the bars that are mounted around the circumference of the drum and do the threshing.

Concaves
These are curved plates that are mounted inside the threshing drum and help to separate the grain from the straw and chaff.

Rasp bars
These are metal bars with teeth or projections that rub against the crop as it passes through the drum, helping to separate the grain from the straw and chaff.

Drum bearings
These are the bearings that support the threshing drum and allow it to rotate smoothly.

Unloading auger parts

The unloading auger is a mechanical arm that extends from the grain tank of a combine harvester and unloads the harvested grain into a trailer or storage bin. It is made up of several parts, including:

Auger tube
This is a long metal tube that extends from the grain tank to the unloading point.

Auger flighting
This is a spiral-shaped metal blade that runs the length of the auger tube and moves the grain towards the unloading point.

Flighting bearings
These are the bearings that support the auger flighting and allow it to rotate smoothly.

Unloading spout
This is the component of the unloading auger that directs the grain into the trailer or storage bin.

Unloading spout extension
This is an optional component that can be attached to the unloading spout to increase the reach of the unloading auger.

Unloading spout positioner

This is the mechanism that allows the operator to adjust the position of the unloading spout to direct the grain into the desired location.

The transmission and engine of a combine harvester are two of its most important components.

Here are some of the parts that can be found in each transmission:

Transmission housing
This is the casing that encloses the gears and other components of the transmission.

Gears
These are the toothed wheels that transmit power from the engine to the wheels and other moving parts of the combine harvester.

Shafts
These are the metal rods that connect the gears and other components of the transmission.

Clutch
This is the mechanism that engages and disengages the transmission from the engine, allowing the operator to control the speed and direction of the combine harvester.

Hydraulic system
This is the system that provides pressure and fluid to control the clutch and other components of the transmission.

All of these parts work together to power and control the combine harvester, allowing it to efficiently harvest and process crops. Proper maintenance and adjustment of the transmission and engine is crucial for the smooth and reliable operation of the combine harvester.

Replacing parts in a combine harvester

Replacing parts in a combine harvester is crucial to maintaining optimal performance and preventing breakdowns. Worn-out parts can lead to decreased efficiency, increased fuel consumption, and even complete machine failure.

Regular maintenance and timely replacement of parts can help ensure a longer lifespan for the machine and ultimately save farmers time and money in the long run.

Suppliers to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) are companies that provide components or subsystems to be used in the manufacture of a finished product by the OEM. In the case of combine harvesters, suppliers to OEMs provide various components and subsystems that are used in the assembly of the combine harvester.

Suppliers and parts distributors for combine harvester parts can provide high-quality parts that are specifically designed for the make and model of the machine.

They often have a wide range of parts in stock and can quickly source and deliver parts that may be more difficult to find. Additionally, many suppliers and distributors offer warranties or guarantees on their products, providing farmers with added peace of mind.

Overall, working with reputable suppliers and parts distributors can help ensure that your combine harvester is equipped with the right parts to perform at its best.

Some of the common suppliers to OEMs for combine harvesters include:

Engines and drivetrains
Suppliers of engines, transmissions, and other drivetrain components to OEMs include companies such as Cummins, AGCO Power, Deutz, Mechanical Power and Caterpillar.

Cutting and threshing components
Suppliers of cutting and threshing components to OEMs include companies such as Schumacher, Claas, Honeybee, and MacDon.

Electrical and hydraulic systems
Suppliers of electrical and hydraulic systems to OEMs include companies such as Eaton, Parker Hannifin, Mechanical Power, Danfoss, and Bosch Rexroth.

These suppliers work closely with the OEMs to develop and manufacture high-quality components that meet the specific needs of combine harvester manufacturers.

They often provide technical support, design expertise, and quality control to ensure that their components meet the rigorous standards of the combine harvester industry.

Looking for high-quality, OEM parts for your combine harvester? We offer a wide range of reliable and durable parts to keep your agriculture equipment running smoothly and efficiently.

9 Tips for a Better Corn Harvest

1. Sieve Settings for Corn

Bottom sieve: Run wide open. There is no part of the corn cob that needs re-threshed. Running wide open allows more air to reach the top sieve. If cobs appear in the tank, then the top sieve is too far open.

Top Sieve: Close to remove broken cobs and achieve the desired appearance in the grain tank sample.

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2. Adjust Corn Head Angle

The right angle of attack improves the wear life and effectiveness of the stalk rolls. Park the combine on a level surface and lower the header until the lowest point of the row unit is approx. 2 inches above the ground. Place a protractor on the plates to measure the angle. Try to achieve 23-25 degrees in standing corn.

For standing corn: 23-25 degrees is the ideal angle of the corn head in standing corn. Within this range, the angular presentation of the stalk rolls enables the stalk to be pulled down vertically to become fully processed at the head. At the same time, this angle also allows the stalk to travel horizontally in the row unit so that the ear is separated from the stalk further into the row unit

To check the angle: park the combine on a level surface and lower the header until the lowest point of the row-unit is 2 inches above the ground. Place a protractor on the stripper plate and read the angle. We supply a magnetic protractor with all of our stalk roll kits so your investment will last as long as possible. Improperly angled heads will show premature wear in the stalk rolls at the very front.

For down corn: Flatten the corn head angle a few degrees in down corn conditions, making gravity less of an enemy. We recommend harvesting at approx. 20 degrees.

3. Set Corn Head Gathering Chain Timing

Begin calibration with an initial gathering chain speed of 55 RPM. If you are seeing butt shelling, slow down the corn head until it starts to bulldoze cornstalks then speed back up until bulldozing stops.

Properly setting corn head gathering chain speed helps prevent both the bulldozing and breaking of cornstalks. Improper gathering chain speeds can also contribute to kernel loss and increased trash intake.

Start with an initial gathering chain speed of 55 RPM for peak corn head performance. If butt shelling is a problem, slow down and calibrate the gathering chain speed until you observe stalks being pushed or &#;bulldozed&#; forward, then speed up the chains until bulldozing stops.

4. Reduce Ear Slicing & Kernel Damage at the Cross Auger

Fine-tune your cross auger to prevent ear slicing and cracked grain. Adjust vertically to have 1 3/4 inches of clearance between flighting and the tray.

Properly setting your corn head&#;s cross auger is essential to prevent cracked grain, and ear slicing and for an efficient corn harvest. For optimum performance, adjust the cross auger vertically to have at least 1 3/4-inches of clearance between the flighting and tray at the tightest point to reduce ear slicing. Also, ensure it is adjusted rearward as far as possible.

5. Set Stripper Plate Gap

Pull a stalk from the field to test your stripper plate gap. Ensure the stripper plates are wider than the third cornstalk node from the brace root. Watch our video for full settings.

Properly setting your corn head&#;s stripper plate gap on each row unit has many benefits during corn harvest. Marion talks through the detailed stripper plate recommendations and testing procedures for the uninhibited entry of stalks into the corn head. The same measurement applies to both manual and hydraulic stripper plates.

Begin with normal settings of 1 1/8-inch gap at the front and 1 3/16-inch gap at the rear, then adjust accordingly to ensure plates are 1/16-inch wider than the diameter of the 3rd cornstalk node (the largest node) above the brace root. Ensure the stripper plate gap is centered over the stalk rolls for efficient feeding and reduced wear on the plates.

6. Set Feeder House Chain Speed

During your pre-harvest maintenance routine, adjust the feeder chain to maximum length and as close as possible to the cross auger. Run at maximum speed to reduce the potential of ears piling up during the handoff from the corn head to the feeder house.

Properly setting your combine&#;s feeder house chain is a must for a headache-free harvest. If the feeder house chain is improperly set, excessive material can become congested at the feeder house.

For maximum performance, ensure the feeder house chain is adjusted to maximum length and/or as close to the corn head&#;s cross auger as possible. Run it as fast as possible to reduce the chance for ears to pile up during the hand-off from the corn head to the feeder house.

7. Set Combine Rotor Speed

Increase your combine's rotor speed until you can see the first cracked kernel in the grain tank then reduce speed by 10RPM.

Properly setting the rotor speed on your combine is critical to an efficient corn harvest. Rotor speed can result in un-threshed ears or cracked grain in the tank, and we want to help you identify the various effects rotor speed has on performance. To properly adjust, increase rotor speed until cracked kernels appear in the grain tank, then slow down by 10 RPM. This adjustment applies to all colors of combines.

One way to identify if the rotor speed is too high is to evaluate the stream of grain traveling from the rubber shoot into the grain cart. If you see a small stream of &#;corn meal&#; or fines in the sample, ease up on rotor speed.

8. Set Combine Fan Speed

Increase fan speed until the red chaff and pieces of broken leaves are no longer showing up in the grain tank.

Properly setting your combine&#;s fan speed is essential to getting a clean sample in the grain tank and for an efficient corn harvest. If you are experiencing heavy shell corn loss on the down-hill side of the combine, it is also likely related to fan speed.

Increase fan speed until the first cracked kernel appears in the grain tank, then slow down by 10 RPM.

9. Transport Vane Settings

Adjust transport vanes to the slow position (bottom of the vanes to the back of the combine). This will reduce kernel loss from the rotor area.

Properly setting your Case IH combine&#;s transport veins plate gap is critical to stopping rotor loss. To reduce rotor loss, adjust the transport vanes to the slow position. That means you will adjust the bottom of the transport vanes so they face rearward. This adjustment will help reduce kernel loss from the rotor area.

To adjust your Case IH&#;s combine vanes for soybeans (the opposite effect), click here.