Grain Diverter For Axial Flow Combines

Grain diverter for axial flow combines COMBINES Accessories 10-6-3 "Every owner of a 1400 Series IH Axial Flow combine understands the need for this diverter as soon as they see it," says Steve Ficklin, inventor and manufacturer of a new grain diverter designed to spread out the flow of grain to conveying augers that carry grain from concaves to sieves. "When grain comes off the concaves it overloads the first and second conveying augers and doesn't fill the third and fourth augers. The problem is worst on sidehills that slope to the right. Many farmers have to slow down to half speed or slower because all the grain pours onto one side which overloads the sieves. They can go twice as fast on hills that slope to the left because grain spreads out much more evenly over all four conveying augers," says Ficklin, noting that one way to tell if you have a problem is to look at the fourth auger on your combine. He says many still have paint in the tray indicating a lack of use. The new diverter plate is designed to spread the flow of grain out evenly over all four conveying augers no matter what the terrain. It fastens with two bolts to a pipe brace that runs across the width of the combine. No drilling or modification is required. As grain comes off the rotor and passes through the concaves, it slides down the diverter to the conveying augers. The lower end of the diverter plate rests in the auger tray. It has one adjustment which lets you move it back and forth to even out the distribution. The plate is 32 in. wide at the top and 5 in. wide at the bottom. "In many cases farmers are only using one-half of the sieve-cleaning area. Once the diverter is installed, grain loss is reduced and capacity increased," notes Ficklin who's sold the diverter plate locally for 4 years "without a complaint. Farmers have tried other methods to solve the problem such as installing rubber auger flaps on the conveying augers to throw grain to the other augers, or putting filler plates in the concave to even out the flow of grain, but nothing works as well as this method. Takes just 15 min. to install." Ficklin's grain diverter sells for $49.95, and fits all 1400 Series combines. Each model requires a different sized unit. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ficklin Machine Co., Inc., 209 West Grant, Onarga, Ill. 60955 (ph 815 268-7826).

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