Performance Tips for Agricultural Swathers

Apr 1
11:08

2015

Amitava Sarkar

Amitava Sarkar

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The key to any successful farm is planning and care. Although harvest time is rather brief, the whole year should be spent preparing each detail of both planting and the equipment.

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Harvest time is not a time for equipment to breakdown. In fact,Performance Tips for Agricultural Swathers Articles that is the worst possible time for this type of planning error. When you’re crunched for time, racing for time against weather, there is simply no room for malfunctioning equipment. Any flaws with your equipment can hinder the entire process, even a single hiccup. For all of these reasons, it’s crucial to properly maintain and repair equipment before an issue occurs. The key to a successful crop is ensuring all aspects are working together; learning how to care for your machines should be a part of this plan. Many repairs can be made for little money, and abundantly save money over time. The main cause of belt and equipment failure is merely due to its design, rather than a lack of power. But there are other factors that contribute to performance and belt failure. Before your harvesting season begins, you must begin a thorough inspection of every part of all equipment on your farm. Any parts that seem to be slightly worn or rusting will need to be replaced. This may be a time-consuming process, but it will save you major damage and prevent losing time during harvest.

Owner’s Manual

Learn the operator’s manual inside and out. Study each image and learn more about the function of each part. Before you even turn on the machine, you should be aware of all aspects of the machinery. Even if you’ve owned similar products in the past, each model and upgrade changes certain aspects of the equipment. These small changes can affect the function of the machine. To protect damage and keep your operators safe, learn new equipment before its use. During this process, verify the safety stickers, as well. Follow these instructions to every detail, and replace decals when they begin to wear. They serve as a reminder and will help new farmhands to learn the machinery.

Operators

These machines should only ever be operated by trained and educated individuals. In fact, anyone not trained in the handling of these items should not be allowed near them. Responsible farm owners train the right individuals as operators and warn other hands of the operating dangers that can occur when equipment ends up in the wrong hands.

Pins and Belts

Look over every inch of your machinery before the harvest. Replace any damaged, rusted or loose pins before you begin harvesting. Anything that looks questionable can break during harvest time or hinder operation. All belts should be the same length and will need to be replaced if they’ve begun to wear. Check for tension and re-size these pieces to prevent engine seizure. Belts often shrink; it’s most important that they are the same length, rather than the original size. Lastly, make sure belts are on track.

Technicians

Select professionals trained in factories and experienced with handling the exact type of equipment on your farm. They should be confident in their skills and provide open communication with you to ensure you’re properly informed with any issues. You’ll need to know the cost upfront, as well as any other issues that may have occurred inside of the machine due to a failing part. At times a small broken or malfunctioning piece can damage other parts; all issues you’ll need to be informed of at the time of service.

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