If you think fuel prices are going down in the future, raise your hands. Not many readers are likely to dent the headliners in their pickups with their hands flying up in answer to my question. Every acre will cost farmers more in fuel this year unless they just bought a new machine that is […] Read more
Henry Guenter
Stories by Henry Guenter
Drive belt issues; proper settings
Q:I have had a Massey 860 combine for two years and have issues when combining canola. The re-thresher tends to grind up the seed into a paste that becomes sticky and eventually plugs the return or re-thresher. It’s as though we are overloading the return sieve, but if we close it any more, we lose […] Read more
Prepare combine for winter with wash, grease and oil change
It will soon be time to put away the combine for winter. Farmers who store their combines outside or who just bought a used combine from a dealer lot where it stood outside should take apart the variable speed cylinder drive. The sliding shive has a habit of bending on the shaft. The belt breaks […] Read more
Correct settings more important in tough crop conditions
In this tough harvesting season, farmers should consider replacing parts that they would have replaced in a year or two anyway. These include rub bars, a concave or those accelerator rolls on the Gleaner. No special settings are required for these parts, but some settings will need attention. Return settings are a concern in a […] Read more
Muddy conditions call for strategy – and four-wheel drive
A lot of combines will likely face mud this year and that will strain drive components. Add-on parts can make it easier. A rear-wheel drive assembly can be put onto many models. It is expensive, but it works well. Farmers who have never driven a combine equipped with a rear-wheel drive assembly will have to […] Read more
Excessive tire ballast may mean higher fuel bill
It’s been common practice for dealers to put fluid in their tractor tires, at least all the inside duals on a four-wheel drive articulated steering. However, I am convinced that is not always necessary, especially with radial tires. Remember, all that extra weight requires more fuel. So here’s an idea. Go out in the field […] Read more
Read smoke signals for clues to tractor health
One of the easiest ways to diagnose an engine problem is to read the smoke signals. There are at least four different colours, each telling a different story. White smoke White smoke always means unburned fuel. The compression doesn’t get the fuel hot enough to burn completely when the engine is cold. However, this should […] Read more
Dissecting discer settings
More farmers might be pulling their discers out of storage this spring because of the difficult season we’re having.If so, here are some tips to consider that can help produce a nice straight furrow. Alignment The drawbar must form a straight line from its front end on the tractor to the pull point on the […] Read more
How do you know when you get a good deal?
One thing you should not see is a customer talking to the mechanic without the service manager present.Let’s suppose a mechanic is working on your tractor in the shop. Another farmer stops and asks a question.Even if the answer was simple and could be answered in minute or two, studies have shown that it takes […] Read more
More to buying machinery than price
So you’ve decided to buy a new farm implement. Or shall we say, you were planning to buy until you saw the prices. It is enough to discourage anyone. Where can I get the best deal? Don’t ask. Instead, ask yourself what else you are getting when you buy the machine. It is frustrating to […] Read more
