6 - FIELD OPERATION
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Introduction
The function of the header is to cut the crop, gather it
and feed it to the rotor in the most efficient manner.
Crop loss and feeding performance are
measurements of the header’s performance.
There are two basic types of reels: the bat reel,
primarily used in standing grain, and the pickup reel
which is beneficial in down and tangled crops. There
are three main reel adjustments: (1) speed; (2) height
and (3) fore and aft position. Pickup reels also
require an adjustment to properly set the pitch of the
tines.
The reel’s function is to hold the crop to be cut and
assist in crop delivery to the header auger.
Bat Reel
Reel speed RPM should normally be about 10 times
the travel speed in MPH (slightly faster in down and
lodged crops). Reel speed should be adjusted to
divide the crop for gentle delivery to the cutterbar. It
should not be so fast that it will shatter standing grain
or so slow that it will push the grain away from the
cutterbar.
Reel height should be just low enough to catch all the
heads. If the reel is too low, heads will hang across it
and be carried around. If the reel is too high, reel
bats will shatter grain from the heads. Multiple cuts
on stalks indicate that the reel is too high or too slow.
Fore and aft positioning of the reel is determined by
ground speed and length of straw. As a general rule,
with bat-type reels the longer the straw or the faster
the ground speed, the further forward the reel should
be positioned.
Pickup Reel
A pickup reel is advantageous in down and lodged
grain because it insures a clean, shear cut by
actually lifting the crop and positioning it in front of
the cutterbar. Tine angle should be adjusted so tines
enter the grain to lift the crop and help in moving the
crop to the header auger. If tines are adjusted too far
rearward they will carry the crop around the reel.
When making pickup reel adjustments, check to
make sure the tines do not strike the cutterbar.
Fore and aft positioning of the pickup reel is
determined by whether the grain is standing or laying
down. The reel is generally up and back for standing
crop and down and forward to lift crop which is laying
down below the cutter bar cutting height.
Cutting Parts
Proper maintenance and timely section replacement
will increase cutter bar efficiency. 38.1 mm (1-1/2
inch) knife sections and 76.2 mm (3 inch) knife
sections are available. A 38.1 mm (1-1/2 inch) knife
system is recommended for use in rice and soybean
harvest. A 76.2 mm (3 inch) knife system is
recommended for use in all small grains, sunflowers,
milo and safflower.
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