Combines CDF question

[Silver_Shoes]

Tbran, what are your thoughts on the CDF's vine knives. I was looking at st johns and wondering since the CDF has vine knifes and st johns has the sweeps. I also noticed the sweeps are stationary and not removeable. Is this a problem or are the sweeps Always a good thingIJ I am just thinking the vine knives would be great in green stems. Next year we are planning on harvesting when alot of green stems are there yet as to get the beans out faster. (More beans maybe ya know)

 

[tj]

I know the question was for Tbran, but I'll note that the sweeps are removeable -- they're bolted onto welded mounts. The flat rotor bar mounts where the upright leading edges of the bars provide more agitation than sloped mounts, so vine knives aren't necessary. A few years ago, before we built the 6 bar rotor, we installed 2 rows of sickle 4 sections and removed 2 bars on a rotor with 8 rows of bars -- this was specifically for green stem beans. No wrapping or slugs, a little more load on the shoe, but worked fairly well and the chopper became much more efficient. However, HP requirement increased a little more than we expected even though the sections were straight grind instead of serrated. No more than minimal rotor loss noted, samples were still clean, but we went back to the drawing board due to HP requirement.

 

[tbran]

Knives are great. However the sweeps seem more efficient at lower RPMs .

 

[MinnR62]

tj, what are your thoughts on the Sunnybrook rotor IJ We are considering one of those as well as the CDF and St Johns.

 

[big]

I have a sunnybroke generation two rotor for a R62 or 72 that I might sell and save you some serious money, call 316 775 2710 if interested.