New Grain Saver For Combines

New Grain saver for combines COMBINES Accessories 11-2-21 "It eliminates crop buildup on the sickle and table auger platform," says Aquatec Development, Los Angeles, Cal., of its new Vibra-Mat, a low cost grain saver that fits most makes and models of combine headers. The grain-saving device, developed and field-tested over a period of 10 years in Australia, is made from a combination of PVC and vinyl plastic. It's about 9 in. wide and comes in 20, 25 or 30 ft. lengths which you cut to match the width of your particular combine header. The mat comes affixed to a 2¢ in. wide mounting strip which bolts directly to the sickle. You weld the "head" end of short mounting bolts ù spaced 12 to 16 in. apart ù to sickle sections and replace the regular hold-down clips with special 5 in. wide clips which come with the Vibra-Mat kit. "In most crops, you'll be able to harvest without having to use the reel," the manufacturer points out. "When fitted to the sickle, the mat moves back and forth at knife speed, causing the cut crop to be transferred to the table auger almost immediately and thus eliminating crop buildup on the sickle and platform. The Vibra-Mat is especially effective when harvesting short-growing small grain crops, and for peas and lupins, all of which tend to build up on the platform." Initial installation takes 2 to 3 hours. After that, the mat can be installed or removed in about 5 min. It's available to fit most single knife headers, the New Holland Twin Knife, and most Deere headers. Vibra-Mat sells for right at $10 per ft. For more information, contact FARM SHOW Followup, Aquatec Development Inc., 1612 South Camden Ave., Los Angeles, Cal. 90025 (ph 213 665-8803).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.