The Wheel of Despair | Harvesting with a Corn Reel

The owner of the corn reel describes it as "The Wheel of Despair" because if you have to use it, you've exhausted all your options. It helps to harvest the corn from the opposite direction it's laying down in to get the stalks into the head. We tried taking the reel off to compare performance without the reel, and it is definitely going back on.
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How Farms Work by Ryan Kuster is a KZbin channel based in rural Potosi, Wisconsin.
Our mission is to teach those who didn't grow up on a farm what the farming life is like.
These videos show the Kuster family working together raising cattle and crops. We believe everyone who wants to know more about farming should be able to share the farming experience with us and we look to educate the world on many essential agriculture topics.
How Farms Work takes place on ~1,100 acres with around 75-200 cattle at any given time. Four John Deere tractors are currently used on the farm, which are a 4020, 4640, 7600, and 8235R.

[@armadillerff]

My heart is just dropping watching the harvest. I mean this as compassionately as possible, I’m glad you’ve established multiple revenue streams for yourself and family.

[@Derek_00Mustang83]

The only time I've ever dealt with corn laid over like that we went one way. Takes way longer but helped pick up the stalks and feed it into the head. Have also watched Wes ( one lonley farmer ) use a bean platform to harvest downed corn. Good luck Ryan and Travis.

[@kenoesch668]

Hold your heads high guys. Hope better days ahead for you guys and all you other guys that feed the world

[@Adam_Poirier]

Keep your heads up guys. To all the people who aren’t farmers, this is one of the most stressful mentally exhausting situations that can happen harvesting a crop.. I admire how you don’t hear the 3 of you guys complaining much. This is just one of those lousy things that nature throws. One thing I know for sure is if it was 30 years ago we wouldn’t hear our grandparents complaining about it either, they busted their ass even harder with less technology so my hat is off to the last generation that worked so hard for us to have what we do now

[@heshworksbetter2777]

When I saw the word Corn Reel, I shed a tear.

[@randallquiring9525]

In "93 we had downed corn from a wind storm 2 weeks before tasselling. That broke many stalks instead of leaning them over. We used a corn reel then and it helped. I think the tines outside the head were doing more harm than good. I would take them off. Oh, and watch for tines that come off by themselves. We ran a few through the combine, luckily wilth no damage (a 6620)

[@thr8061]

What helped us the most was having RowSense on our corn head. We had no clue where the rows were most of the time but that thing kept us there. There were many "all nighters" this past year!

[@sneakysnake109]

My heart really goes out to you all. Not only is the yield down, but the amount of work you have to do to harvest it has increased. Here's looking forward to next year! Good Bless you all!

[@virginiascruggs9256]

Excellent video for someone like me > a nonfarmer Midwesterner who is fascinated by farms 👍

[@zeller200]

I have picked a lot of down, we had down corn like yours 3 years in a row about 10 years ago. You probably know or have figured some of this out already but I hope this helps. Don't run your corn reel too fast or it will knock ears off the standing corn just fast enough to keep the stalks moving, very slow in standing corn speed it up some in the down corn but no faster than necessary, lower your reel as low as possible with out it hitting the tin work, Pick so you are pulling the corn out and away from the standing row of corn that is next to the outside row of the corn head, you will get more corn picking into the down corn instead of going with it, you may have to pick some one way, raise your snouts so that you can get the gathering chains closer to the ground to help pull in the stalks. you can re-alien you gathering chains so the lugs are across from each other this will make them more aggressive, If you are pulling in many root watch for mud building up inside the clean grain elevator, and be safe it very nerve wrecking picking down corn just go slow and try and relax. It gets old real fast but you will make it Good luck!

[@FoodwaysDistribution]

Rocket was showing you the solution. Pick the ear corns one at a time

[@timstroh216]

It is a sad thing to see the corn down after working so hard to raise a good crop! keep going forward with harvest, and I am wishing you guys the best that can be!

[@athumblessman]

This is the perfect video for explaining to people how difficult farming really is, and how little control you have over the crop. Comparing the harvest of this field to last year is about as polar opposite as it can get, and there was very little you guys did differently between last year and this year. Its just what it is, ultimately Mother Nature always gets the final say. Really sorry to see the best yielding farm get hit the hardest, but at least this didn't happen to every field!

[@mikerellim333]

You should fence off your fields and run your cattle to clean up the leftover corn. In Wyoming we use electric fence temporarily after harvest and it works great. Plus younger manure on your field.

[@downhilltwofour0082]

Thanks for sharing both your ups and you downs. Stay safe and healthy to you and your family.

[@cdbrown30]

I loved that overhead drone shot of the combine working!

[@USMMCE]

Seeing you clean shaved reminded me of years ago when I was told that having a full beard made me look about 10 years older, which as a young guy in a important job was not a bad thing. Fast forward to years later, I decided to shave to see if I looked younger. Well, it did not work and I still looked old! LOL Sorry for all that you guys are dealing with and I hope that somehow things look up and the yields get better.

[@alanl.simmons9726]

We are rooting for Ryan,Travis,Dad,& Rocket. Give Rocket a milkbone for each ear dropped in a tub!

[@robinthomas2403]

Prayers go out to all the farmers who have to deal with this mess! Wow!

[@mcd5082]

Keep your heads up! Good hard working men.

[@rylangeck6928]

Awesome how you somehow find the energy to put together a great video despite the stress of harvest. Footage as usual is beautiful! Good luck with harvest! Hopefully you don’t have to run that reel too much , there a pain!

[@loisgustafson1558]

Try raising the reel up and combining in the same direction in which the corn is laying,if possible. Good luck and stay safe. Ron

[@docphillips5153]

You said it was going to be not good, seeing the video I can believe it. Hang in there, 2020 was not good all around and we still have weeks to go.

[@danieldzurko8053]

Thank you for the great camera angles. This is tough seeing you guys going through these downed corn fields.

[@paulhudson8321]

Think positive. Turn that reel of despair into the Reel of fortune.

[@fleminj2pa]

The deer and raccoons are going to love this year’s harvest!

[@petehutzel3778]

Well, actually, those vermin will be feasting on the NONharvest!

[@ZZ2tamaties]

Good luck, thanks for the video and keeping us up to date,

[@stanleyjohnston5876]

You have to add rollers on ends of the head. To roll the stalks back into corn head.

[@ohiofarmlife4020]

We had corn like that about 10 years ago, there is no right answer about how to harvest it.

[@charlesbeasley3866]

I feel for you guys, thought and prayers go out to you. I used to pick down corn 50 years ago, we used a B John Deere and Wagon plus all my 5 brothers and parents. Plus my Aunt and Uncle.

[@colleenrobison4070]

Heart breaking for you farmers’ losses from the wind. Love to see your work.

[@woutbreukers3776]

Wish you all the luck with harvest 2020 what a year

[@wolfonthehill5134]

Roll cones for the outside rows is a must have this year

[@hturbo1007]

I picked some downed corn this week. It's takes the fun right out of combining really fast.

[@tiger5551]

Ikr

[@Karen-ne4qq]

Our corn reel does its best work sitting in the back of the shed. It helps and that's about all you can say for it, but when you're desperate you need all the help you can get. Keep your chin up ; next year will be different.

[@roryjfitzsimons690]

Love Ur videos Ryan keep up the great work it must be hard to see the corn bent over u put so much work in to growing it hope the rest of the harvest get better

[@MrTruckerf]

We have had similar or worse conditions over the years. We just picked all we could, then when we got done we bought 50 skinny old sows and turned them loose. Sold them the next spring; they had gained a lot of weight and we didn't have any volunteer corn to worry about.

[@leesteele9290]

Dale Fry nobody has any fence or sows any more or that would be a real legitimate solution in a lot of cases?

[@rogerfuhr8067]

Cattle and electric fences.

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Vlog, albeit about the corn misfortune and disaster. The Vlog records the risks and down times that come with exposure to the weather and climatic events. It takes courage to record these things, well done and thanks for the Vlog

[@jimdos3079]

I really feel for you going thru this harvest. It's not like you chose a bad variety that wouldn't stand. I had that some 20+ years ago doing custom work for a neighbor. Only consolation is you have lots of company.

[@HM-0410]

If anyone can conquer these fields it’s your family. From what I’ve watched over the years you guys can get thru anything and come out shining on the other side. Keep your heads up and God will get you thru it. Can you put the snoot augers on the head to help with the corn laying on the head? I’ve seen other farmers that got corn knocked down use them and it helped with that issue.

[@benzahm6085]

Who else cringed the whole harvest watching how much they were loosing? Don’t let this setback affect you guys. Stay strong!

[@mattrossow9728]

I feel bad for you guys, Ryan, that downed corn looks just awful to harvest. You can hear the despair in your voice when you talk about it. Try to stay positive and most importantly, stay safe through harvest. Good luck! We'll be watching!

[@ianhaggart1438]

Making the best with what you have. Farming through and through😕☺️. Hope its pans out for yous. Take care. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. 👍 👌

[@josheigenberg]

We have a Geringhoff head with a reel, and it is pretty good when corn is not down as it can be moved out of the way, but when the corn is down, it gives it a little nudge into the head.

[@clinthochrein888]

Oye oye! Looks very Agrivating! With the reel head.

[@brittblanton8342]

Hey Ryan I feel for you guys looks like it is going to be a ruff harvest 👍

[@danshadoin7661]

If you could invent a corn reel with downward facing fingers like a rake, that rotates the fingers into position when needed and lifts them out when not, you'd be rich this year. While you are inventing that, make sure that you can vary the distance in front of the head that the fingers engage, and the angle where the fingers lift the corn so that you can attack the varying degrees of "downness" from fully flat to partially down and get the most gentle lift and guide into the cornhead. When we combined ryegrass seed from windrows, we used a pickup header and it needed to be very gentle in order to reduce head shatter as much as possible. I would think combining that kind of thinking with a way to lift downed corn without losing the ears would increase yields. I doubt it will increase speeds though. It's going to be a long harvest season. I feel for you brother. I wish I could help you out with the seat time it's going to take to get it all done.

[@farmallskittle]

There is a corn reel that has smaller fingers and raises and lowers when you need it

[@markbaird5849]

I feel for you. I have had down corn like that but not as much. Try going one way it might work. I have a reel also have not used it for several years. Good luck

[@eosjoe565]

It looks strange seeing that 15-foot corn head after watching some other harvesting videos of folks using 40 and 50-foot cord heads. :-)

[@ginggur17]

That looks hard going pal.

[@justinschmitz8034]

Ryan, this year just plain sucked for everyone. Hopefully 2021 will be better. Keep safe and keep on rolling my friend.

[@tbix1963]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas. Sorry to see the results of the storm. Maybe you can train Rocket to fetch the corn 🌽 and pile them up at the end of the rows. Wishing you and your family the best.

[@larrybg9293]

Good stuff

[@kevindavis6042]

One hell of a mess out there Wish you well with it

[@FoolOfATuque]

and out of nowhere...a wild Andrew appears.

[@tomperley8399]

That was pretty sad to watch, I can only imagine the frustration sitting in the drivers seat.

[@rickduquette3399]

I agree completely with you Tom. I have been yelling at mt screen telling Ryan to stop and take that damm thing off or shut it down

[@larrythompson7467]

You may have already thought of this but when there was a lot of down corn around our area my neighbors called and let me turn my cows and calves out. they figured they would have less volunteer corn the next year. I only allowed the cows out 6 hours for the first few days to prevent founder but as much as you seem to have down maybe less .after a few days it was no longer a problem.

[@CurrentChoices]

What is Founder? Founder, also known as laminitis, may be caused by several things, one of which is an abrupt change in diet-particularly consumption of lush green grass. The high soluble carbohydrate content (sugars) in the grass will allow for the overgrowth of “bad” bacteria and the death of “good” normal bacteria in the GI tract. While the exact mechanism is still up for debate, we know that toxins are released which attack the lamina-i.e., the soft tissue structure that attaches the hoof to the bone. When this attachment is damaged, it causes a lot of pain and possible sinking and rotation of the bone within the hoof. Treatment of laminitis is complicated and costly. Prevention is the key.

[@farmshoffman8475]

All I can say Ryan is it’s going to be a very long snd slow harvest! Great awesome video

[@calfeggs]

Should have a retractable reel if they make them that way it could be put up or down dynamically while going down the row.

[@genechronister7085]

That is so frustrating! Hang in there!

[@RenewTheRWandBlue]

I would take a grinder to your auger flighting. A leading edge that is rounded over isn't as aggressive at pulling in material as one with a nice square edge. Grind off enough steel to get back to a square edge. Adjust the gathering chains so the lugs are directly across from one another instead of staggered. I know dead heading sucks, but combining the opposite way the stalks are leaning will help greatly. I think the head will feed better once you get a few acres through it and the snoots get polished up. You have my sympathy, I've combined more downed corn than I care to remember.

[@uppsalahazzemarkstedt2759]

I'm so happy we are only doing corn for silage here in Sweden except some sweet corn in greenhouses. Easier to harvest after hard winds as it seems! :D But your dogs can probably be trained to fetch all corncobs on ground! Haha

[@thomaslyon2112]

You have my sympathy! I know that down corn is a hart breaker. Good luck with the rest of it!

[@judysetran9198]

I am sorry y'all are having rough harvest.. I think about what corn harvest was like 100 years ago. While it not going to be easy harvest it is going to happen keep your chins up y'all are in my prayers

[@fielddaves2279]

It's so sad to see the corn 🌽 down. That storm really did so much damage. Praying for you to make as much as possible. Field in Michigan

[@Mikes_Repair]

I've had success with bean head in down corn. You will figure out what works best soon enough. Put some tape over that yeild monitor. hopefully things will continue to improve

[@JeffStewart78..]

Cool video Ryan and baby face Ryan

[@austinjones5981]

I’m sure I can find some of my college friends here in Platteville to come pick up ears, Ryan🤣

[@josephkaiser800]

Hello from Idaho, some of your local farmers are having their families walk behind the combine to pick up ears that were missed.

[@leestadnyk5573]

Wow that looks brutal

[@walterlaubscherjr2011]

Man this looks rough hope the rest if harvest goes well

[@tedwpx123]

👍I hope you guys can find something that works most of the time for you!!

[@ronniesorter1888]

We ran ours over the snouts instead of the chains because it would plug up on them more on the old Massey corn heads. Seemed to work well.

[@michaellucht6351]

Minnesota last year slugged it out, Wisconsin and Iowas turn this year.

[@adamdubbert5529]

Last year we had down corn and then go snow on some of it. WE take the ends off the reel and run it slow otherwise it flips the ear off and plant out of the header.

[@gregkortbein5108]

I feel for you. It’s going to be a tough harvest. Main thing stay safe. Things get dangerous when you get frustrated.

[@darrellhewlett3547]

Patience! Good luck and good thing you have cattle. Put cows out on it when you're done.

[@redbovine]

We rented a Geringhof corn head for downed corn. The snouts were not quite as tall so it did a better job getting under the corn. It cost us $10 an acre but was worth it to us.

[@hanshardt6122]

I feel for you Ryan 4 decades ago I ran into the same thing with an IH 715 combine its tiring and stressful and slow with not much yield to show for it. One thing you might get better yield if you go in one direction

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Vlog, it must be very frustrating to harvest downed corn like this slowing the harvest process and taking longer... thanks for the vlog

[@fjkingswood]

Might be worth trying OLF’s trick from years back and harvest the corn with the grain head. Yeah, you’ll send a lot more material though and it’s harder on everything but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

[@petruzzovichi]

Another great, informative video. You look good with or without your beard, though appear a bit younger without! Nice touch to end the video in this manner. Always great when you have eye contact with us...practice looking into the camera!!! Nice Job Ryan.

[@muskyman26]

Round bale that field. Cattle will love it

[@JohnMark-ep3rs]

Wow you got 5 years younger!

[@fazerainbow5674]

lol the chain saw noise d monwhen u were shaveing hahahah anyways awsome video i think this is the first time i ever recall seeing your dad on video or even speaking lol look like rocket wanted to help harvest too lol looks like u got a good mont of corn hopefully it doesnt go bad on u guys

[@craigmiller5372]

I had the same thoughts on the corn reel before you said it. I noticed cole was having some of the same issues. I guess if the whole field is down it’s probably a good thing but otherwise I guess you just go around and get all the standing corn and go back and get the down stuff with the corn reel.

[@brianhansen826]

Hmmmm, i think it needs some reel lift cylinders so you can just raise it up when it's not needed

[@jorystapel7309]

Hey calmer sells plastic paddles to put on your chains on your head. Suppose to help in down corn

[@jorelo4313]

PUT IT BACK! PUT IT BACK!

[@donmathias1705]

Its one of those times when you just have to take your concrete pills and quietly get on with it. Every pass you complete is a bit closer to the end. Feel for all you farmers having to deal with these savage conditions. Just stay safe out there and dont be tempted to take shortcuts.

[@jazko]

I kid you not, you will probably have better luck with the soybean head, you just have to drive slowly. We did that, kinda hard on the knives, but picks up the corn off the ground.

[@wbball15]

Goooood Luck

[@tillndrillfarms]

We have been where you are a few years ago. My advice is get a crop sweeper reel. I think we have a few videos on our channel. Till & Drill Farms. Take a look and see what you think. Good luck and stay safe

[@stollvondeining9485]

OMG, what a mess. I think it`s gonna be a long and nerve wrecking harvest. Greets from bavaria/germany. Thomas

[@8tomtoms8]

Hi Ryan, I've seen this attachment work a bit better if it turns slower and is a bit higher from the corn head. I don't know if your combine will allow this, (may have to change a sprocket size if you don't have a variable speed hydraulic motor) but you may want to try slowing it down. It won't wrap as bad that way and won't fling the corn out so much. Just a thought. Best wishes to you guys.

[@CurrentChoices]

2020 BOO Sheet!!

[@benmadison4839]

I would try using the bean head. Ive seen other farmers do it before it seemed to do better than the reel. I think Olf. Did it years back

[@scubasteve335]

We found the poly snouts makes a big difference in down corn

[@bryanginder5903]

Your right it does, makes anything slide around so much better!!

[@davidkirkman2223]

Ryan I know this does not help but salvaging some is better then loosing all. Hoping for a profitable harvest for you,s

[@craigadair128]

The newer heads with the poly snouts may work slightly better but am sure you will get thru it eventually

[@fazerainbow5674]

great video ryan hopefully you can retreave most of the corn off of that fieald and you look so much younger like 20 without a beard lol the chainsaw noice lol thumbs up and shared