It done got cold!

Dave H (MI) · Dec 8, 2016

Unfortunately, it also has snowed some. Not sure if it is a problem. Have to go out and see did any stick to the ears. Pretty dry snow from what I can see. Sort of hoping I can get out and take those last few rows of corn Saturday. If the ground freezes some and we don't get TOO much snow...

...pinch me, I'm dreaming again.

rrlund · Dec 8, 2016

I wouldn't try it if there's any snow on the plant at all. It'll settle in to every low spot or place that's not moving in the combine. You'll only have to do it once to find out why you shouldn't have.

Dave H (MI) · Dec 8, 2016

There is something about the way you phrased that...makes me think I should listen. LOL

I don't think there will be any snow on it. There is some open land to the west of me and the wind comes thru that field with a vengeance. I was taking the 2017 hunting tenant on a tour with his sons two weeks ago. I came out with my Elmer Fudd hat and the two boys both had knit caps. Their dad was standing there with a bare head. I suggested this was unwise so he put a hat on. By the time we got to the back he was thanking me. The look on his face when we cleared the tree line was comical.

RandyB(MI) · Dec 8, 2016

No snow here in MT. Pleasant area and hardly any predicted before end of next week. Very cold next week...I think all remaining crops will come off quickly. No snow and hard freeze.

coonie minnie · Dec 8, 2016

If it gets as cold as it is supposed to, you won't have trouble combining if it is only for one day. Dry snow USUALLY blows through pretty easily. Keep an eye on the chaffer, sieves, etc to make sure this no buildup. If you have multiple days to do, that can be frustrating. Make sure everything turns freely before starting after doing snowy corn. Wet snow can cause things to freeze tight. A heated shop is nice to retreat to after combining in snow! More for the wish list- or another reason to have a bin and get done earlier.

I remember hanging tarps over a corn head and putting the torpedo heater under there to thaw a head one time... I hope to never do that again!

Lazy WP · Dec 8, 2016

I have picked a lot of corn with snow on it, BUT, it has to be COLD to do it. If it isn't below zero don't try.

WI Dan · Dec 8, 2016

you and that last bit of corn Dave. For goodness sakes! lol i bet there's one thing on your christmas list this year.

GET THAT CORN!

centash · Dec 8, 2016

Also, snow falls off the plant once the snapping rolls grab it. This lands on the gathering chain and stripper plates. It melts on the gathering chains, and then freezes on the stripper plates, builds up, and eventually forces the gathering chain off its sprockets. Much nicer to combine corn with the a/c on instead of the heater....! Ben

coonie minnie · Dec 8, 2016

Ours had frozen tight over night after combining the night before... with one day to go. We watched that heater pretty close to avoid a fire, and turned periodically on the drive shaft. When it turned, we ran the head for a while, and then got done!!!

RBoots · Dec 8, 2016

Good luck to you Dave. We ran a few loads of corn off the high ground the last few days, then had to stop as we got to the wet ground where water was standing a week ago. We are going to try tomorrow or the next day to run off around 30 acres of the wet spots where the last of our soybeans are. Once we get those done, we'll move back to corn. Luckily we only have about 25 acres of corn in the wet spots as well to finish.

Ross

Dave H (MI) · Dec 8, 2016

You got that right! Kinda hoping not to be out there in January like last year. But whatever it takes. Next year I am finding a bin.

Dave H (MI) · Dec 8, 2016

Good luck to you too, Ross...I hope it goes easy on ya!

JayinNY · Dec 9, 2016

We had a pretty mild fall hear in NY, temps have been up and down, 28* right now, I did see one guy combining corn today. We have had rain, snow cold and warm weather. Strange.

farmerwithmutt · Dec 9, 2016

The 13 is the full moon always cold in the winter at that time. But it warms up after. The ember days are next week so we well see what the next three months are like.

jon f mn · Dec 9, 2016

I've combined a lot of corn with snow on it. As long as it's cold enough to keep it frozen there is no problem. Depending on the brand of combine you use the temps very some as to when it's safe to go based on whether they draw warm air from the engine into the combine or not. But below 10? you will be safe with any machine. I'll likely be doing some next week if the ground freezes as we got a total of 10" of water since I last did some and all that was left was too wet then. Going to take some good frost to hold up now.

rrlund · Dec 9, 2016

I had a sheller unit on a New Idea Uni that would take snow like no combine would. I could be out there shelling while all the combines were parked. It just had that rotary sheller and real short sieves. In a year like this,it was sure a nice outfit to have around.

I'm gonna hold off another week before I try to pick anything though. Last time it got froze up a little and I tried,I broke a spindle right off the picker when the frost gave out and I got it in the mud. It's supposed to be in the teens for highs Wednesday and Thursday. That should do it if we don't get too much snow.

Dave H (MI) · Dec 9, 2016

Yeah, same here and realistically, we don't often see it. Two years ago we had frost down BELOW the 42" mark. I was installing a pole barn in February...of course. Every hole was like drilling rock. Usually you can break thru it at a much shallower depth. It usually gets pretty cold over Christmas, but I would like to think it will all be packed away by then.

rrlund · Dec 9, 2016

There's not over a half inch of frost out there right now. It'll hold me up walking on it out around the cattle,but it won't hold them up,and sure won't hold a tractor up. We haven't got enough snow up here to insulate anything,so with some cold nights,hopefully it'll get driven down pretty quick.

I need to be getting some manure out of the feedlots,but that's still pretty sloppy. Don't know whether to chase it around and try to load it today or wait until tomorrow.

jon f mn · Dec 9, 2016

The trick to keeping the combine from freezing after using it in snow is to go back and run it just a little 2 hours after you shut down. That allows any water or snow to settle and stiffen but not freeze hard, then when you move everything it will stay loose. But make sure you don't plug it first by running in the wrong temps, a sieve plugged with snow and corn hair is a real mess.

Dave H (MI) · Dec 9, 2016

I should be going out there right now checking on it, but still sitting here. People keep calling and sending over work. Right now that is more appealing.

Going to suit up and drive over there pretty quick. Check the fields, then drive over and pick up my wife for lunch from work. Dr appt in the afternoon...yech. Probably going to try that last bit of corn tomorrow. If it gets tough I will quit but would make my day if I get it done. Not an hours worth of picking there if nothing breaks. Put some in a hopper for winter feeding. Drive the rest up to the elevator and get rid of it. Still have that small field of beans to do. Not sure what is going to happen there. That is the first field of beans I have tried. Easy part was getting them in the ground. Been a battle since. It will not break me if I lose them, but I would like to see how the yield is etc etc...so I can decide if I want to plant more next year. One of the great benefits of the farm is that it makes 12 hour a day, 7 day a week tax season look like a vacation.

It done got cold!

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