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As the combine moves through the field, the gatherer points are positioned between the cornrows. The stalk rolls pull the cornstalks down so the deck plates will snap off the ears. Trash knives prevent weeds and trash from wrapping around the stalk rolls. The gatherer chains move the ears up to the auger. The auger moves the ears to the front of the feeder house where rubber paddles feed the ears into the feeder house.
It costs time and money if the gatherer row components are worn or not properly maintained. Worn gatherer row components may result in:
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Stalk roll wrapping
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Row unit plugging
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Feeder house plugging
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Ear loss
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Pulling up of cornstalks
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Kernel damage
Two critical parts that affect productivity on a corn head are the stalk rolls and gatherer chains.
Stalk Roll (40 Series Head)
John Deere stalk rolls, for the 40 Series Corn Head, are attached only at the back. There are no front hangers to snag weeds or stalks.
The stalk rolls are formed from nodular iron and then placed in an automatic welding machine that hard-faces the surface of the stalk roll flutes. This ensures longer life for the stalk roll, season after season.
On a new stalk roll, the flutes are straight. As the flute becomes worn, it becomes concave at the rear of the stalk roll.
This concave shape will not allow the roll to aggressively pull the stalk downward and strip the ear from the stalk. And, the sharp, square edges of the flute become rounded as the stalk roll wears. This results in less aggressive grabbing or "pull down" of the stalk and will cause crop loss.
A stalk roll can be checked for wear by placing a straight edge along the flute. If the difference between the high and low point is greater than 1/8-inch, the stalk roll should be replaced.
Rebuilt stalk rolls will not provide the same high quality as new John Deere stalk rolls. Generally, rebuilt stalk rolls will not have consistent, uniform flute height.
Stalk Roll (90 Series Head)
The straight, fluted stalk rolls are standard equipment on all 90 Series Corn Heads. The fluted stalk rolls are designed with a more aggressive stalk-stripping action for increased feeding capacity in down or weedy crops. The straight flutes provide a tighter working area (outer edge of flute to body of adjacent stalk roll) to produce a more aggressive feeding action. The full-length flutes also provide a 55 percent longer crop engagement area between the rolls to allow for faster pull-through action. This means less plugging in weeds. The ear-snapping zone of the straight fluted stalk rolls is farther forward than on tapered stalk rolls. Ears snap off sooner for faster crop gatherer action.
The more aggressive action of the straight fluted stalk rolls can provide up to 50 percent less trash intake in high-moisture corn. There is less breaking or tearing of stalks and leaves.
All flutes are hard-faced for long wear life.
The straight-fluted stalk rolls are not recommended for use on the 40 Series Corn Heads.
Fluted Stalk Roll (90 Series Corn Head)
The straight, fluted stalk rolls are standard equipment on all 90 Series Corn Heads. The fluted stalk rolls are designed with a more aggressive stalk-stripping action for increased feeding capacity in down or weedy crops. The straight flutes provide a tighter working area (outer edge of flute to body of adjacent stalk roll) to produce a more aggressive feeding action.
The full-length flutes also provide a 55 percent longer crop engagement area between the rolls to allow for faster pull-through action. This means less plugging in weeds. The ear-snapping zone of the straight fluted stalk rolls is farther forward than on tapered stalk rolls. Ears snap off sooner for faster crop gatherer action.
The more aggressive action of the straight fluted stalk rolls can provide up to 50 percent less trash intake in high-moisture corn. There is less breaking or tearing of stalks and leaves.
All flutes are hard-faced for long wear life.
The straight fluted stalk rolls are not recommended for use on the 40 Series Corn Heads.
Gatherer Chain
Efficient corn harvesting depends on the strength and capacity of the corn head gatherer chain. The gatherer chain acts as a conveyor system to move the ears into the auger. Embossments in the sidebars and the flight lugs of the chain protect the connecting pinheads. Without these raised areas, the connecting pinheads would be exposed to excessive wear, resulting in premature chain failure.
The face of each flight is extended down to create a lip between the sidebars. The lip prevents debris from collecting at the roller, and reduces drag and wear to the chain and sprockets. The flight face slants at a 15-degree angle away from the roller chain. This slight angle creates a self-cleaning effect as the flight moves the ears toward the auger. Every element of the chain--pins, bushings, flights, roller, and sidebars--is heat-treated for strength and long life. Special lubricant penetrates each unit of the gatherer chain, reducing friction wear and providing smooth operation. The gatherer chain is available with chromed pins. The chromed pins increase the wear life of the chain by 50 percent. Gatherer chain with chromed pins is standard equipment on the 90 Series Corn Head, and will retrofit to the 40 Series Corn Head.
Gatherer chains are considered worn if they have reached the point where no adjustment can be made to tighten the chain.
Perma-Glide Points
Now your customers can replace the dented, rusted, or worn-out steel fenders and points on their 40 Series Corn Head with Perma-Glide polyethylene replacement parts.
The points, center covers, and fenders are made of roto-molded, green polyethylene with a hollow-body structure. They won’t rust and never need painting.
The smooth, low profile improves feeding of down or lodged stalks. Poly points dampen ear bounce and reduce potential ear loss. Perma-Glide points fit better and are easier to adjust than competitors’ poly points. Remove a single lock pin and lift the center cover to easily adjust deck plates, or service gatherer chain and sprockets
Perma-Glide fenders replace early model "high tin" or later model "low tin" fenders.
The shoe on the Perma-Glide point has a smaller, smoother profile than competitive shoes. This cast-iron shoe also adds just enough weight to keep the point from riding over heavy, thick weeds. Competitive shoes are plastic and therefore weigh less and may allow the point to ride over weeds.
Installation of the points is simple and easy. All required mounting brackets and hardware are provided except for high-tin fenders, up to PIN 380600.
Perma-Glide points cost approximately 25 percent less than steel and weigh 30 percent less.
For those 40 Series Corn Heads, up to PIN 380600, additional parts will be required for the right-hand and left-hand fenders.
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