Picking ear corn

Charlie M · Oct 2, 2020

A guy asked me today if I would pick a couple of wagons of ear corn for him for the squirrel feeding people. I'd be happy to do it but got to thinking after he left - I have a IH 1-PR picker and works in 36" rows. What are todays rows - 18"? Don't see a way to do it as I'd be knocking down the next row. If it was 30" rows then maybe. Since this guy is big enough to be doing a 100 acres I know they are not 36".

oliverkid · Oct 2, 2020

Standard corn row spacing is 30 inches. Few guys planting 20 inch rows but they are few and far between.

NY 986 · Oct 2, 2020

Even here in the Northeast rows less than 30 inches in width are becoming more common. The OP is wise to check on that before hand.

GordoSD · Oct 2, 2020

Just open the field and then pick just the outside row going around clockwise.

Absent Minded Farmer · Oct 2, 2020

30" is common. There are some around here that plant 20" & 16". That would be a tight one.

Mike

Wheat47 · Oct 2, 2020

I've got Dad's IH 1-PR picker. I know he used to pick 24" rows.
I think he went 'round and 'round the field. They were only 20-30 acre fields.
But I was just a li'l shaver then, and I only remember riding it the
wagon dodging corn ears.

jal-SD · Oct 2, 2020

Take the outside rows or have him open a land or two with his combine.

Charlie M · Oct 2, 2020

Here is another question - what should I charge him. He wants 3 gravity wagons full and I will be using my M. He asked me this question and its not like anyone is advertising picking corn around here with a 1-PR picker. I don't care about making money at it but need to at least get my gas cost back and maybe a little extra.

NY 986 · Oct 2, 2020

You need to consider repairs as well. Custom combining is 35 dollars per acre on average around here. Go to a Tractor Supply and see what a pail of hydraulic oil is. Or drive chain. Or a PTO yoke and cross. Or a tire and tube. 35 dollars will not seem like it is that much given potential repairs.

David G · Oct 2, 2020

Most are 30 here, some 20.

larbear · Oct 2, 2020

100$ per hour, you keep time. If he doesn't like it tell him to go figure, your the one with the specialty machine.

David G · Oct 2, 2020

Some beans are 15"

Charlie M · Oct 2, 2020

Hard to believe I would need that stuff on a 60 year old picker or a 77 year old tractor. LOL

4520BW · Oct 2, 2020

We pick a few wagom loads every year. It's alot of time getting everything ready so I would charge enough to make it worth your time.

Picking ear corn

Charlie M

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oliverkid

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NY 986

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GordoSD

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Absent Minded Farmer

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Wheat47

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jal-SD

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Charlie M

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NY 986

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David G

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larbear

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David G

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Charlie M

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4520BW

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