[1640]

I was not real happy with the cut quality I had in beans last year with 1 1/2 knifes and was wondering if the 3" were better. I mostly cut soy beans with some wheat. The cut was ragged with alot of single stalks left in the field. Thanks for any help.

 

[redhat]

Run 3" all the way. Could only get 1.5" to cut good if it was shimmed every morning. Run 3" all year starting out in good/new condition and may have to change sections through the year depending on conditions. Otherwise don't look at the knife until getting ready for the next season.
3" knife will give a better cut in RR soybeans especially no-till, 1.5" has more difficulty in these conditions and leaves a very rough looking cut on soys no-tilled into corn stalks.

 

[runt]

Try shimming the hold downs on the cutter bar. Also look at the back of the sickle to see if there is a grove wore in it. This will cause the sickle to roll up and give a bad cut.

 

[smithih]

I have seen this first hand bounce back and forth through out the years. As of right now I see it heading back to 3" hardly any 1.5" are heading out the door any more. A lot of it is person preference still though. 3" does seem to be cutting the stronger thicker beans much better.

 

[1640]

Is the 1 1/2 supposed to cut faster if it is shimmed perfect?

 

[1640]

Whats you guys thoughts on the Crary gold cut?

 

[wamag]

We switched to case super 7 3 inch knifes with the crary guards in front of the feeder house. Works well. Mostly a pea/wheat rotation.

 

[1640]

I've got a set of crary's coming, I'll see how they work this fall.