Combine Chaffer Return Boosts Clover Seed Yields

Combine Chaffer Return Boosts Clover Seed Yields COMBINES Accessories 12-2-9 A combine-mounted chaffer return system, complete with two hydraulically-powered, U-shaped trough augers which return chaffer screenings to the header for rethreshing, is producing higher clover yields for customers of Glen Skogsberg, a custom combiner from Nampa, Idaho. "It really shines in clover seed, which is very hard to thresh out of the hull," says Skogsberg. "My customers have re-ported yield increases of 10 to 50%. What's more, the system produces less cleanout seed. The average is 5 to 7%, compared to 25 to 30% for conventional combines." The add-on system, mounted on a Deere 7720 combine, features two augers, each powered by a hydraulic motor on one end. The rear cross auger is 9 ft. long an 6 in. in dia.; the side auger is 18 ft. long and 9 in. in dia. A slide gate is fastened on the back side of the rear cross auger. A separate reservoir ( mounted under the feeder house) and pump (under the front axle) power the two hydraulic motors. The pump is belt driven by the cylinder. The rear auger runs in front of the combine's rear tires and across the back of the combine, right behind the straw walkers and tight against the chaffer. To make room for it, Skogsberg lengthened the combine 10 in. by moving the rear wheels back. By loosening two bolts, he can raise or lower the slide gate, usually keeping it in the down position. As the combine's fan blows chaff toward the slide gate, lighter chaff without seed blows over the top of the gate; heavier chaff containing seeds hits the slide gate and drops into the cross auger. The cross auger then delivers this chaff to the side auger connected to the combine's header. The side auger whisks seed forward and into the header for re-threshing through the cylinder. To keep chaff floating and to maximize seed savings, Skogsberg says he runs the fan a little faster than normal. The system cost about $4,000 to build. "It will help on small grain but not as much as on clover which is much harder to thresh out of the hull. A conventional combine loses some grain over the chaffer but nothing like it does with clover seed," Skogsberg points out. Contact FARM SHOW Followup, Glen Skogsberg, Rt. 2, Box 2126, Nampa, Idaho 83651 (ph 208466-5850).

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