Windrower Attachment Saves Straw, Stalks

Windrower Attachment Saves Straw, Stalks COMBINES Accessories 2-6-27 "It started out as a method to save1el by cutting the number of harvesting trips in half. But it ended up as a way to also increase the feed value of salvaged straw and chaff," says Grant Gulleson, Rutland, N. Dak. Gulleson is talking about an attachment for his combine that he designed and built himself. It is a conveyor that collects the straw and drops it into one large windrow instead of two small ones, thus saving half the trips in harvesting grain. The big windrows are ideal for machines that make big round bales. The added benefit that Gulleson discovered was that this baled straw had higher feeding value when fed to cattle. The reason is that the conveyor catches chaff and light kernels of grain that would otherwise drop on the ground and be lost. Major components of the attachment are a heavy sheet metal trough, an auger, and a chain strap conveyor. The'conveyor carries chaff from the sieves to the auger where straw and chaff are mixed while being carried off to the side. The nutritious chaff and light grain are held in suspension in the straw until it is picked up by the baler, stacker or chopper. Gulleson says the attachment also improves value of corn stalk residue when combining corn. It salvages leaves, husks, and cobs that would otherwise be lost by mixing them with the corn stalks before they are baled. Gulleson winters his herd of 75 beef cows on the baled straw and corn stover. He custom builds the windrowers, which are available for most any make or model of pull type or selfpropelled combine. Cost of the attachment is about $800. For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Grant Gulleson, Route 1, Rutland, N. Dak. 58067 (ph 701 724-6201).

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