Harvest is near. Depending on your location, you may be a few days away from go time or a few weeks away from the busiest time of the year on the farm. Pre-harvest demands planning, rigorous maintenance and a sharp focus on ensuring your equipment is ready to go for a successful, efficient and safe harvest.
Let’s take a look at the essential best practices that can make all the difference between a smooth operation and unexpected downtime.
#1: Prioritize Equipment Maintenance
You’ve probably already spent weeks getting your equipment field-ready with fluid and filter changes, cutting part replacements, and other necessary repairs and service steps. However, the maintenance doesn’t stop when you cut in to the first field. It is critical to continue the upkeep of your equipment throughout the season.
Start an in-season maintenance routine that works for you. Whether it’s in the mornings while you’re fueling up or when you transition from field to field, find a time when you can complete a quick walk around of your equipment lineup.
Remember to grease and lubricate moving parts, bearings, PTO shafts and other areas where it is critical to reduce friction, wear and tear on your equipment. Also, check for broken or worn parts that may need to be replaced. We recommend stocking commonly worn parts in your shop or service truck so it is convenient to replace them on the spot.
#2: Focus on Safety
The hustle and bustle of harvest can become one of the more dangerous times on the farm. Take the time before harvest begins to ensure your crew is comfortable with operating each piece of equipment and review safety best practices in the field and on the road.
Be sure all your lights are working and consider upgrading to LED options, if you haven’t already. Reflective strips and triangles should also be replaced if they are damaged or faded. Also, consider making the last-minute addition of sensors and observation cameras to keep your crew alert throughout the season.
Removing chaff and residue regularly, especially around the engine, electrical harnesses and areas of consistent movement, is important to reduce fire risk. Also, use a temperature gun to check for bearings that are overheating and on the verge of failure.
#3: Consider Equipment Enhancements
The weather is unpredictable and can certainly change in a moment. If you are expecting a considerably wet harvest, consider adding a Mud Hog® rear-wheel assist axle to your combine to get 4WD power through wet spots. If it has been a particularly dry or windy growing season, consider upgrading to 5-Finger Quick Tines for small grain headers to help pull sparse, short or blow-over crops into the header.
Corn stubble can also have a harsh impact on your equipment. Tire punctures, as well as tractor, combine and implement damage is possible if stubble is thick, stiff and sharp. Adding G4 Stalk Stompers to corn headers helps crush and flatten crop residue to minimize wear and tear, while promoting positive residue management in the fields.
#4: Lean on Your Local Dealer
During harvest, your local Case IH Dealer is probably on speed dial in case something happens. Our parts and service teams are there to be an extension of your operation and help with your equipment’s needs. Lean on
