Get your chopper ready for peak efficiency

It is time to get our choppers in top condition to successfully complete corn silage harvest. The overwhelming feedback that I receive is that alfalfa, grass and cover crops are tough on the choppers. Most of this is due to the choppers picking up lower-yielding crops that tend to gather more stones, dirt, and other debris. This causes more deterioration to slip clutches, knives, cutter bars and blowers. Service technicians can provide more education on what to do during each crop harvest to help optimize maintenance of these parts.

Nutritionists focus mostly on kernel processing and cut length of the silage. The primary chopper components at play are the kernel processor, shear bar and knives.

Kernal processor

The kernel processor should be checked prior to putting it in the chopper.  Evaluate the rolls and roll gaps. Make certain the gaps can be adjusted during chopping. Check that the bearings are in good shape and grease covers the bearings entirely. This lubrication is a big deal; the last thing you want is a hot bearing or processor that shuts down.

Shear bar

After harvesting summer crops, shear bars are often rounded instead of having a nice square edge. If the shear bar still has a good edge, you can turn it. If not, it’s best to replace the shear bar before starting corn silage. A shear bar in optimum shape will help prevent long leaves on the corn silage as the season evolves.

Knives

When you stop during the day to sharpen knives and set the cutting gap, you will be happier with the cut length and the speed at which you are able to chop. We have all been in a rush and find ourselves seemingly trapped to just push on, but timely sharpening and re-adjusting the theoretical cut length is essential. Remember, “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

Additional checkpoints

Here are some additional common points most farm mechanics will stress in preparing the chopper for harvest.

• Check the automatic lubrication systems and failure alert systems so you can be confident the chopper is maintained. If you don’t have an automatic lubrication system, establish times to grease the machine.
• Check the gear boxes and fill them with the appropriate gear lube. There are several different kinds of gear lube that are beneficial for the different gear boxes.
• Check all the pressure relief points so they can breathe.
• Check for and replace cracked belts.
• Check the gap on the blower paddles.
• On the head, check the knives, gear boxes and clutch pads. Keep spare clutch pads on hand.

During chopping, you want the driver to communicate with the farm mechanic or dealership on what is occurring like a champion race car driver would communicate with their crew chief. In the off-season, attend the chopper clinics at your dealership for tips to operate your chopper more efficiently. Sharing knowledge will help keep the chopper running smoothly and everyone on the team positively engaged for a safe and successful harvest.