PREPARE YOUR COMBINE FOR A SUCCESSFUL HARVEST
Harvest is one of the busiest and most important seasons of the year. Whether you’re cutting wheat, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, or other crops, equipment reliability can make the difference between a smooth season and costly downtime.
Before you roll into the field, give your combine a complete inspection to make sure it’s ready when the crop is.
START WITH A GENERAL EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
The best place to begin is a simple walk-around. Look over the entire machine and watch for anything that seems out of place:
- Fluid leaks
- Signs of rodent damage
- Unusual smells or noises
- Loose hardware or damaged components
- Missing shields or safety equipment
Catching these small issues before harvest starts can save you hours of downtime during the busiest days of the season.
CHECK FLUIDS, FILTERS, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Proper maintenance of your combine’s fluids and power systems helps ensure reliable performance throughout harvest.
INSPECT AND SERVICE:
- Engine oil and hydraulic oil filters
- Hydraulic fluid, coolant, and DEF levels
- Battery terminals and electrical connections
- Wiring for signs of damage or corrosion
- All work lights, warning lights, and flashers
- Slow-moving vehicle signs for visibility
- Fire extinguisher condition and expiration date
A few minutes spent in the shop now can prevent hours of troubleshooting later.
INSPECT BELTS, CHAINS, HOSES, AND TIRES
Wear items can deteriorate during storage. Take time to inspect:
- Belts for cracks and fraying
- Chains for wear and proper tension
- Hoses and fuel lines for leaks, dry rot, or abrasion
- Tire pressure and sidewalls for cracks or damage
Replacing worn components before harvest is much cheaper than dealing with a breakdown in the middle of the field. Keeping these items in good condition also helps reduce the risk of fire.
FOCUS ON KEY HARVESTING COMPONENTS
Header and Knife Inspection
Your header is the first point of contact with the crop, so it needs to be in top shape.
Inspect:
- Cutter bars
- Knife sections
- Guard plates
- Skid plates
- Chopper knives
Look for excessive wear, bent components, dull cutting surfaces, or anything that could affect crop flow and cutting performance.
FEEDER HOUSE CONVEYOR
A properly functioning feeder house helps maintain smooth crop flow into the combine.
Check for:
- Worn chains
- Damaged slats
- Proper chain tension
- Excessive wear on drive components
- Addressing these issues ahead of time can help prevent plugging and feeding problems during harvest
THRESHING AND SEPARATING SYSTEMS
Inspect threshing and separation components for signs of wear, damage, or misalignment.
Pay close attention to:
- Concaves
- Rasp bars
- Separation components
Dented concaves, worn rasp bars, and damaged separation components can make it harder to fine-tune your combine and may lead to grain damage or increased grain loss.
DON’T OVERLOOK CHOPPERS AND KNIVES
The residue management system is one of the hardest-working areas of the combine.
Because the chopper operates at extremely high speeds, both rotating and stationary knives should be inspected carefully before harvest begins.
Look for:
- Cracks
- Excessive wear
- Damaged edges
- Missing hardware
Keeping knives sharp and properly maintained improves residue distribution while reducing vibrations and the risk of component failure.
CLEAN THE MACHINE THOROUGHLY
Harvest dust and crop residue can hide problems and create fire hazards.
Before heading to the field, thoroughly clean:
- Grain tanks
- Sieves
- Chopper compartments
- Engine areas
- Feeder house components
- Other locations where debris tends to accumulate
A clean machine makes inspections easier and helps you spot potential issues before they become major repairs.
VERIFY TECHNOLOGY AND PRECISION AG SYSTEMS
Today’s combines rely heavily on technology to maximize efficiency and capture accurate harvest data.
Before harvest begins:
- Calibrate sensors
- Verify yield monitor accuracy
- Test GPS and mapping systems
- Review crop-specific machine settings
- Update software when necessary
- Confirm field and guidance information is current
Taking time to verify these systems now helps ensure accurate harvest records and reliable machine performance throughout the season.
