combining corn in the snow

Super Steve · Nov 13, 2013

Am I asking for trouble trying to combine corn with snow on the ground? The stalks are free of snow but there is a couple inches on the ground

IaGary · Nov 13, 2013

You can combine with snow on the ground. Done it many times.

If it were beans no way if the snow is over a inch deep or so.

Even cold dry snow on the plant with cold air temps will work. Wet snow on 32 plus day will not.

The dry cold snow just blows out the back.

Gary

Lazy WP · Nov 13, 2013

Back in the 70s, I don't think we ever picked corn without snow. Where you really run into trouble, is when there is snow on the corn, and your machine warms up enough to melt it. I have iced up every inch of sieve space in a Massey 510. That is NO FUN.

RayP(MI) · Nov 13, 2013

As long as you can get traction and your combine can go through, you're probably OK. That said, wet snow can make for problems. Dry snow will fall out in the picking heads, or drop through and go out the back. Corn shucks protect ears from most of the snow, moisture, and are eliminated in the combining process. May see a little higher moisture in the corn, but should not be much. Lots of corn around here done after freeze-up, and sometimes snow.

caseyc · Nov 13, 2013

Happens often around here, actually happening right now. As long as the cobs are free of snow go for it!

Casey in SD

1206SWMO · Nov 13, 2013

With snow only 2" deep and none on the stalks you will have no problems..

In the winter of 1972-73 we combined beans with 4-5" of snow on the ground...It turned very wet in October and lots of beans across the midwest went in to December still in the field...The price of beans more than doubled..It froze up and then snowed 4-5"..They were making 30 bu before the rain so we decided to get them out of the field before we lost them all..It cost us 5 bushels per acre but those that waited lost most of them..A neighbor cut 5-10 bushel moldy beans in early April 1973 and then planted corn.

paul · Nov 13, 2013

The trouble zone is when it is about freezing temp, the combine runs a few degrees warmer as it squishes things, and will thaw, THRN re freeze the material on the sieves.

If it is above freezing, or below 20, it works well.

In between, a person has to harvest, but you need to watch and see how it is working carefully.

Paul

Travis M · Nov 13, 2013

no snow on the stalks or ears and you will be ok

todd hamilton · Nov 13, 2013

It will shell better at night in those conditions

combining corn in the snow

Super Steve

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IaGary

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Lazy WP

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RayP(MI)

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caseyc

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1206SWMO

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paul

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Travis M

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todd hamilton

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