Combines Folding or flared graintank extensionsIJ

I don't know how well the folding g-tank extensions will work on the Cat, but I like the idea of the tank cover to keep rain out of the graintank. This helps to eliminate the staining and mess around the tank clean-out holes that comes from water seeping out of the bin. Also eliminates some rotten grain in the bottom of the bin. Why do most all European origin combines have a cover on the grain binIJ

Besides keeping out dirt and moisture and us from climbing up there all the time to fold them here is another point. The Claas folding extension will help us this year on our two way radio problem. On the other combines we used to have the antenna on the cab roof. When the flared extensions are folded out it covers half of the antenna what makes recieving and transmitting over the back of the combine quite difficult. On the Claas extension I have designed a little mechanism that moves the antenna a long with the bin extensions keeping it at the highest point of the machine all the time. Just look at it when you come again.

The Claas folding covers that actually cover the tank are the best solution for our needs. When we are threatened with rain, we always unload the other combines first and then the Claas. It never fails that the trucks are full and there are a few bushels left in a combine. So, we leave them in the Claas and just shut the lids. If the trucks are full at the end of the day, we can cut another bin full in the Claas and then get a "jump-start" on trucking the next day. By leaving a few bushels in the Claas, we don't have any wet grain problems in any of the machines.

The advantage of the flared extensions is the higher capacity and that the grain cart operator is able to see the grain already when the bin is just half full. That gives him a good way of judging when he has to be at which combine. If Claas could make that folding extension so it would open a little wider to be somewhat flared, we might be able to get the best of both.

The Claas has the rotating beacon light that comes on when the grain tank needs to be unloaded, which usually gets the drivers attention. A better system for alerting the grain cart driver than expecting them to "pay attention" all of the time. Another trick we use is to swing the auger out when the tank is 70% full so the grain cart driver has a couple of minutes to get to where the combine is. When unloading is complete, we swing the auger back into transport position. If all else fails, hail them on the radio.

I would prefer the flared extensions due to lower cost and simplicity. You guy's are talking about beacon lights, folding extensions, and lights coming on at 70% full. COME ON lets keep the KISS method applied. Swing the tube or yeal on the radio when neccesary. Eliminate all the other garbage. The flared extensions give more capacity and are simpler plus lower cost. Isn't this what we wantIJ