1987 - Volume #11, Issue #5, Page #3

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Takes 5 minutes to switch heads on modified combine

Takes 5 minutes to switch heads on modified combine COMBINES Headers 11-5-3 "With the modifications I've made on my combine, I can pull out of a soybean field and without using any wrenches, switch heads and have the machine ready to harvest cornùwith a little help from my sonùin 5 minutes. It takes 10 minutes if I do it myself. Without the modifications it would be a 4 hour job," says Floyd Knewtson, Madelia, Minn., farmer and inventor. Knewtson made the modifications on a New Holland TR-70. Some of his "shortcuts" could be applied to other makes and models. "I really like my New Holland TR-70 and these changes help make it better. Hopefully, our next combine will have some of these ideas incorporated." Pictured are the modifications Knewtson made to make changing the combine from one crop to another a quick job. He also made other modifications to speed adjustment and improve performance of his combine. They include: •Installed spring-loaded belt tightener adjustment on 2-speed straw chopper drivebelt. Eliminates having to completely disassemble the tightener and change pulleys. •Replaced steering cylinder with one with a 2-in. longer stroke and cut off part of the cylinder stop so the combine turns sharper. This modification cuts the combine's turning radius in half. (Knewtson says New Holland improved the steering on later models). •Installed an electric motor (1? hp.) to control rotor speed. Controlled by a toggle switch in the cab, it replaces the old hand crank system of changing rotor speed. Motor allows rotor speed to be to be increased immediately on the go to get through heavy spots, or weed patches, without plugging. •On the bean head Knewtson practically eliminated reel wrapping by simply welding an extension to the end of the feed-in auger flighting. He discovered that the blunt edge at the end of the fighting caused most of the wrapping problems. He simply welded a section to the end that tapers down to the auger tube. •Modified the Love bar so up and down movement is now 12 in. instead of 8 in. •Painted the reel black so it's easier on the eyes during night time harvest. •Installed electrically powered switchesùone under the header drive control lever, the other under the unloading auger drive control. Alarm sounds and warning light goes on when both levers are pressed down. Alerts operator if he's unloading as he's harvesting. •Hydraulic lines leak and drip on the belts causing them to wear. To solve the problem, Knewtson installed a drip pan over the drive belts. It collects oil and drains it down a tube to the ground. •Mounted the steering wheel on a pedestal attached to floor and lowered it 4-in. Original mounting on a pipe that ran across the front of the cab obstructed the operator's view. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Floyd Knewtson, Madelia, Minn. 56062 (ph 507 642-8775).