Harvest Season is Here Get Your Grain Carts Ready

Aug 07, 2023

As farmers, preparing for the harvest season doesn't stop with tuning up combines. Grain carts, too, need attention, says Justin Render from Kinze Manufacturing. A few maintenance steps can avoid downtime and enhance efficiency.

Key pre-harvest checks begin with cartwheels and tracks. Tight hubs and correctly inflated tires are vital, along with aligned belts in track systems. Look out for worn driveline parts including gears, shafts, and gear boxes, and repair or replace as necessary.

Hydraulic hoses and connectors should be in good condition and leak-free. Make sure all lubrication points are greased before heading into the field.

Render also underscores the importance of grain cart safety. Check the drawbar's mounting to the tractor and the condition of bolts and safety chains.

Make sure lighting, turn signals, and flashers work correctly and ensure the slow-moving vehicle sign is visible. Lastly, keep power shaft guards in place over the rotating driveshaft.

Video: EP 73 Diversity is Resiliency – Stories of Regeneration Part 6

During the growing season of 2023 as summer turned into fall, the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast and Regeneration Canada were on the final leg of the Stories of Regeneration tour. After covering most of the Prairies and most of central and eastern Canada in the summer, our months-long journey came to an end in Canada’s two most western provinces around harvest time.

This next phase of our journey brought us to Cawston, British Columbia, acclaimed as the Organic Farming Capital of Canada. At Snowy Mountain Farms, managed by Aaron Goddard and his family, you will find a 12-acre farm that boasts over 70 varieties of fruits such as cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, apples, and quince. Aaron employs regenerative agriculture practices to cultivate and sustain living soils, which are essential for producing fruit that is not only delicious but also rich in nutrients.