When we hardface large wire concaves, we provide cover plates -- not pretty, but effective and inexpensive, and easy to remove or reinstall. This allows operators to use wide spaced concaves in small grains as well as corn, beans, etc. Also, there's no question that the hardfacing lasts much longer. Helical concaves -- in fact, are less aggressive than others. Over the years, we've tried several crossbar angles on helical concaves, but thresh is still better with concaves whose crossbars are parallel with the rotor. The angled crossbars also have a tendency to throw material back toward the front of the machine, somewhat negating the effect of the transit vanes -- takes more power to feed along with tighter settings for thresh. Didn't notice any more cracking especially, at normal settings, but did find occasional rows of kernels left on the cobs and occasional unthreshed bean pods and wheat heads. Rotors -- we've converted specialty rotors as well as grain rotors, and there's no question that hp requirement is reduced, sample cleans up and the whole machine is more efficient. Don't want to belittle anyone, but I wonder if the retired combine tech has any experience with our rotors. Most rotors have been installed by the owners of the machines, and I can't think of any dealerships in Illinois who have installed one. I think that the fact that we have greatly reduced the number of threshing elements on the rotor throws folks for a curve, but these are a completely different type of rotor bar.
