Combines BARlEY

Here in Scotland we have run a 1640 for 14 years after the first year following the book we had a lot of grain loss but over tme have minimised it. We increased the rotor speed to near full speed 950-1000 rpm,the concave indicator 2-3, fan speed varies from 750-850 rpm depending on variety and moisture content (15-30%)The top seive is open so a finger can get in ( the indicator fell off years ago)and the bottom sieve is set so a little finger can get in. From then on its just a question of keeping her full. We also used to use grain lifters to pick up the barley but now due to the new fungicides and growth strengtheners we only use them in the protein peas. The work quite well but do get caught up in the crop if very damp. Here a rotor belt costs 200 ($320 US) any suggestions for cheaper rotor belts I normally use 1 a year normally in the swathed canola. Thanks in advance BB

Thanks for the information Belt Breaker. One follow-up question, do you run small wire or large wire concaves or a combinationIJ I have run my old 1460 for 5 years now and have not yet replaced the rotor belt so I can't give you any help on finding a cheaper supplier.

As a follow up mid-mo we are run both wires small wires for canola ,oats ,wheat and barley swapping to the large wires to harvest protein peas. Cheers for now

Case parts are expensive in Europe. I am rebuilding 1660 E combine bought in Germany, and I am planning to buy all parts through internet in US. Try to use this link for buying parts online: www.gladeandgrove.com they have online store with 600000 parts online, and there you can immediately check price (if you know part number). They claim that they are shipping worldwide. I did not do bussines with them yet (I am waiting for cd rom spare parts catalogue for combines),but from what I have seen they seem OK.

Typically when I'm doing barley I run my fan about 1100 rpm and my chaffer at 18 and sieve at 7-9 and rotor speed 850.. that's in about 100 - 120 bu crop.. dont seem to have any problems

Sounds like your overthrashing, maybe close the comcave to make sure all the beard is gone from the sead but also slow the cylinder down. What is the bushel wt of that barley, if its light you may be running too much air.