Marion Calmer on Minimizing Cracked Grain During Harvest

[@pbau7769]

With the power of these machines now is the theory of "grinding corn" or overloading the cylinder plausible? My first combine was a 4435 JD hydro. It had superb power but the only way I could tell threshing area was over maxed was seeing cracked, or ground corn in the tank. I recently bought an 07 9660 sts with the 9.0 engine. After screwing around for days trying to reduce cracked corn in high yeilding stuff I am thinking it is the same theory. Same header as I had on my '96 9600 but I knew when that combine was at threshold.

[@CalmerCornHeads]

In a cylinder machine, grain cracks more easily because the distance of travel in the threshing chamber is considerably less than it is in a rotary machine. So, as an operator, we have to bear down on it harder and faster to get the kernels off the cob, which can result in increased cracks. In Marion's opinion, if the rotary machine is set correctly, there should be very little change in the amount of cracked grain relative to the through put or bushels per hour going through the machine. Underloading the threshing chamber is more of a problem in a rotary machine than an overloaded threshing chamber. Rotary machines rely on grain rubbing against grain for a gentler, more optimal thresh. Feel free to call Marion on his cell at [phone] with any further questions!

[@pbau7769]

@@CalmerCornHeads I think I figured it out by opening clearance and slowing cylinder speed and driving faster. Time for a bigger header because my driver doesn't like things going fast & neither do I. My fields aren't big square & flat. Can wreck something fast. I still don't like the accelerator paddles in corn.

[@pbau7769]

@@CalmerCornHeads Please ask Marion what combine brand/series etc he would buy for himself if he were looking and why. Thanks

[@CalmerCornHeads]

@@pbau7769 Well, he just purchased this Green s680 and a red 2388 for research purposes. Overall, he's a red guy, which is why he runs his Case 2188 and 2388 most of the time. Feel free to call him with any further questions. Thank you.

[@tf7274]

I am watching a lot of KZbin videos of operators in much bigger combines than our Corn Special 9500...drive the same speed as we do with a 893. Too slow...