Combines 3 inch vs 1 5

[ihman]

You'll never go back to 1.5" once you go to 3".

 

[camaro92z]

I liked the 1.5" for the way it cut close, but it was a maintaince nightmare. I switched to 3" and will never go back to 1.5" Ted CenOH.

 

[russ]

last year our 3" cutterbar was wore our so switched to 1.5". Was easy to do but would never get another one, thought it would cut better and faster but has to many fingers pushing forward. To much upkeep and is more expensive

 

[Ed_Boysun]

People who tout the benefits of a 1.5" sickle just DO NOT understand the physics and mechanics of the way a reciprocating sickle cuts. When the knife is standing still at the ends of it's stroke, the machine has to move forward to fill the knife. The knife then moves and cuts off the material that has gathered there. If you put another guard in the middle of things, it just takes up room. Also, the knife is moving very slow when it is starting it's stroke, and you are asking it to begin cutting on the extra guard before it has gained any momentum or speed. Results will be very similar to an out of time sickle .... pulls hard, tears, plants drug out by their roots. My opinion is: it's largely a marketing thing. Just because the advertising boys say something, don't necessarily make it so. Ed in Montana

 

[jhoag]

I put a crary system on. 3 inch system with an extra bottom guard. Works excellent. I love the spring loaded hold downs. Most of the problems are in how the standard hold downs wont put actual pressure on the sickle to hold it down. It jumps up and down even when the naked eye can't see it. That also in turn will wear guards very quickly. I am sold on this system. Also guys think that just because they have a newer or larger combine, they can run faster. Not true, 5 to 7 miles an hour is just to fast. A larger head going slower is best by far. 3 to 4.5 is ideal. Just my opinion.

 

[George_2]

I have a 1020 header with the 1.5 inch sections. I previously had a 820 header with 3 inch sections. In comparison the 1.5 inch system has a lot of negatives, mostly they relate to maintenance cost. The only redeeming feature is their ability to ride over small stones (2-2 1_2 inch)in gravelly land on one of may farms, and not break sections or pickup stones. The old 820 would often get stones on the table and you would have to be fast on the header drive kill switch. With the 1.5 inch system you really have to mess up to get a stone on the table. The fact that stones dont break off sections is a plus too. That is the only reason I put up with it. Otherwise it would be gone long ago

 

[Ohio__Steve]

George2, you might look into the hose modification to keep the small rocks out and get the advantages of the 3" sections. Have run it for three years in beans now and at least half the advantage of using it comes from rock protection..The Johnson grain saver will work too.

 

[Russ]

You are absolutely correct. I can't agree with you more. Go 3" I changed from 1.5" to the SCH system it is very nice with no shims to worry about.