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Combine Maintenance: Essential Upkeep & Parts Checklist
Keeping your combine harvester in top condition is crucial for a successful harvest season.
Regular maintenance extends the life of your combine and helps avoid costly breakdowns during peak times.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to essential maintenance tips and a checklist of top-quality replacement parts to maximize your combine’s lifespan.
We also have a full combine maintenance checklist available—if you’d like to get a copy, just click the button below!
1. Engine and Cooling System Maintenance
The engine is the powerhouse of your combine, and keeping it cool is essential to prevent overheating. Regular oil changes, checking coolant levels, and cleaning radiators are vital steps to avoid any unwanted surprises in the field.
Key Actions:
2. Inspect and Replace Belts and Chains
Belts and chains are critical for operating various parts of the combine. Over time, they can wear, stretch, or become loose, leading to inefficiencies or potential breakdowns.
Replacement Tips:
3. Monitor Bearings and Bushings
4. Threshing System Checks
The threshing system is central to the combine’s function, separating grain from chaff. Worn concaves, rasp bars, and separator grates can lead to inefficient threshing and increased grain loss.
Replacement Tips:
- Inspect concaves, rasp bars, and separator grates regularly.
- Replace parts showing significant wear to maintain threshing efficiency.
5. Augers and Elevator Chains Maintenance
Augers and elevator chains are responsible for moving harvested crops through the combine. Inspect these parts for damage, bending, or wear, which could hinder efficient crop movement.
Key Actions:
- Check auger flighting for sharp edges or bending and replace if necessary.
- Inspect elevator chains for proper tension and wear; replace if stretched or damaged.
6. Cutting and Feeding Component Maintenance
The knife sections, guards, and reel play a crucial role in cutting and feeding crops into the combine. Damaged or dull parts can reduce harvesting efficiency.
Key Actions:
- Inspect knife sections and guards for damage or dullness and replace them as needed.
- Ensure the reel is functioning correctly for efficient crop feeding.
7. Header Components Inspection
Different types of headers (corn heads, draper heads, flex heads) have specific parts that need regular checks. For example, adjustable deck plates, snapping rolls, and knives on corn heads should be inspected and replaced if needed.
Key Actions:
- Inspect all header components based on their type and crop use.
- Replace any worn or damaged parts to maintain optimal performance.
8. Electrical Components and Sensors
Modern combines rely heavily on electrical systems, including sensors and wiring harnesses. These should be tested and maintained to avoid unexpected downtime.
Replacement Tips:
- Test sensors regularly and replace any that are faulty.
- Inspect wiring for signs of damage or corrosion.
9. Hydraulic System Maintenance
The hydraulic system powers many of the combine’s essential functions. Low or dirty hydraulic fluid can cause performance issues or damage.
Key Actions:
- Regularly change hydraulic fluids and filters.
- Inspect hydraulic lines and connections for leaks or wear.
10. Tires and Tracks Maintenance
Tires and tracks support the combine’s movement across fields. Inspect for wear and ensure proper inflation to prevent downtime.
Key Actions:
- Check tires for wear and proper inflation.
- For tracked combines, inspect track tension and condition.
Key Takeaway
By following this comprehensive maintenance tips and replacement parts checklist, you can maximize your combine’s lifespan, reduce downtime, and ensure a smooth and productive harvest season!
A well-maintained combine saves money and minimizes stress, helping you focus on what matters most: a successful harvest.
Extra Tip: Be Ready for the Unexpected and Plan Ahead
Harvest season can bring its share of surprises, especially with unpredictable weather. It’s essential to have a contingency plan in place, whether that means having extra workers on standby, alternative storage options, or adjusting your schedule.
Equipment breakdowns are also a reality, so having backup machinery ready is crucial. Make sure to budget for labor, maintenance, and any unforeseen expenses by setting aside an emergency fund.
As you wrap up the harvest, it’s time to look ahead to the next planting season. Crop rotation can improve soil health and minimize pests, and weed control measures are essential to prepare your fields.
Reflect on how this harvest went, noting what worked well and what can be improved for next year, ensuring you’re set up for continued success.
Most importantly, having the right harvest parts on hand can prevent common issues, such as crop loss and equipment breakdowns. The key components of your equipment play a vital role in keeping your operations smooth and efficient
Don’t wait until something breaks—get ahead of the game!
Visit www.rangelinegroup.com to browse our wide selection of harvest parts. As your trusted partner in the field, we’re here to support you with the parts, tools, and knowledge you need for a smooth and successful harvest—every season, every time. Contact us today at 585-270-8047 for orders and inquiries!
