Combines Garbonzo Beans

We call them chickpeas in Canada.They can be a very profitable crop,somewhat drought resistant(depending how severe the drought is).The downside is when you receive ample amounts of rain disease takes over.Ascocyta blight is spread by rainfall and if not sprayed right away the whole field could be lost.I have had that happen to me,and most of my neighbors.I have heard Austrailians had this problem a couple of years ago as well,it would be nice to hear from a few of them .Just make sure the seed you get is disease free.Hope I was of some help.

Garbonzo thats a different sort of name. The chickpeas we grow in Australia can handle dry weather as they have a long taproot.Two years ago in our area 95% of chickpeas were useless because of wet conditions,the roots rot and no seed will set.Quite often here the chickpeas will yield more cash per acre than prime wheat but they can get disease fairly easy.john

How do you combine themIJ I have heard that a flex header is best to use on them. Can you pick them up in a windrowIJ Any info would be appreciated.

When you say Garbonzo bean I'm guessing you are referrring to Kabuli Chickpeas.Kabuli's on average stand 12-18 inches a flex header isn't completely necessary but a pick-up reel is.I would suggest staight combining as swathing would shatter pods.Don't cut on the green side as Kabuli's will stay green inside the pod,making your crop feed.Kabuli's have to mature on their own,swathing or dessicating doesn't bring them on.If you have accesss to a crop specialist I would suggest you talk to them because this is a crop that requires alot of attention.

Does Massey make a pickup reelIJ

I don't think so.The MF flex header I have has a UII Universal pick-up reel.They are really good reels.Other pick-up reels that I know of are:love,Macdon and Hart Carter.Combineworld.com has a special on them right now.All of the above adapt to any header.

Chickpeas are a pain to combine. First the hills, then side hills, then low spots. Don't be suprised if you have to drive to the same field 5 times to get them cut.

I also run U2's. Best reel for the money in my opinion. We have tried Macdon and Hart Carter also. Don't waste your time!