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Simple Fix Solves Auger Problem
A Minnesota farmer has come up with a simple fix for a common problem on newer-style, Case IH 2200 series corn headers.
  "The headers can be operated at either high or low speed, allowing you to speed up or slow down the rolls and gathering chains depending on crop conditions. Unfortunately, when you speed up the rolls and gathering chains you also speed up the auger. Switching from low to high range increases auger speed from 123 rpm's to 147 rpm's, which is way too fast. As a result, a lot of ears get thrown out onto the ground. The losses can be quite high," says Larry Palmby, of Dover.
  His solution was to install a hydraulic motor on one end of the header that operates off the combine's reel speed control and drives the auger independently of the rolls and gathering chains. Motor speed is controlled by adjusting a knob in the cab.
  To install the motor, Palmby drilled a 2-in. dia. hole in the side of the header for the motor's shaft to fit through. He also drilled two 1/2-in. dia. holes so he could bolt on the motor's mounting plate.
  "It allows me to operate the auger at anywhere from zero to 147 rpm's, independent of the speed of the rolls and gathering chains," says Palmby. "I usually operate the auger at 60 rpm's. But if crop conditions get tough I can just rotate the knob to run the auger faster.
  "I came up with the idea after I bought a 2200 series header three years ago. I liked being able to operate the rolls and gathering chains at higher speeds in tough conditions. However, I got tired of high ear losses from operating the auger too fast.
  "I used it last fall on corn that yielded more than 200 bushels per acre, and it worked slick. We had a lot of dry stalks with a lot of trash running into the header, but ear losses were minimal. I figure it paid for itself after the first 100 acres of use."
  Palmby says this modification will work on any Case IH 2200 series header, which have been on the market for three years.
  He has put together a kit that includes the motor, sprocket, and hydraulic hoses. It sells for less than $1,000.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Larry Palmby, Palmby Farms, 607 County Road 10 S.E., Dover, Minn. 55929 (ph 507 932-3358).


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2004 - Volume #28, Issue #3