Combine Threshing and Equipment Maintenance Tips

Apr 03, 2018

The threshing elements and concaves are some of the hardest working elements in your combine. That being said, it’s essential to perform routine maintenance on these parts and measure wear when possible to keep everything running smoothly. Doing so can ensure that the harvesting season is as fruitful and successful as you need it to be.

Let’s take a look at some tips for measuring wear on your combine threshing and separating parts.

Check the threshing element with the combine clearance gauge from John Deere. If the tool goes over the trailing edge, the element needs to be replaced.
Check the separator tines by placing the edge of the gauge against the rotor to measure the length of each tine.
Use the corn or grain end, depending on your concave type, to measure wear.
When replacing your elements or tine, replace them in quantities of three to keep the rotor balanced.
John Deere offers small wire concaves for items, such as wheat and barley. Round bar concaves are ideal for corn and soybeans. Large wire concaves are recommended for rice, sorghum, and confection sunflowers. However, you can install concave inserts for wheat if you want to avoid changing out the concaves.
If you’re replacing parts in an earlier model machine, your John Deere dealer may offer aftermarket alternatives for you to use instead.
Schedule an offseason inspection with a John Deere dealer to spot any underlying issues before harvesting season begins. This will ensure that your machinery is in working order.

Click here to see more...

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.