Half Moon Lifters For Lodged Crops

Half Moon Lifters For Lodged Crops COMBINES Accessories 7-6-28 "Last year, when grain harvesting conditions got bad, farmers started buying our lifters as fast as we could make them. We sold 3,500," says Fred Staples, Oakville, Man., manufacturer of new "half moon" shaped lifters which fit onto combine or swather cutterbars for harvesting lodged crops. In tests by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute of Western Canada, the new-style lifters did a superior job of salvaging lodged crops when compared with conventional or skid-type lifter guards in common use today. They outperformed other lifters in green or mature crops, and on wet or dry soil. They had almost no mud buildup and no bunching at the cutterbar, according to Staples. "Key to the success of these new half-moon lifters is their simple design," he pointed out. "Their narrow profile (1/4 in.) and rigid design minimize crop hairpinning and mud buildup, compared to wider, spring-operated conventional lifters." The new-style lifters are easily attached to combine or swather cutter-bars at every fourth guard, which places them about a foot apart. They can be permanently left in place since they don't interfere with harvesting of crops where lodging isn't a problem. The special shaped lifters, originally designed for pea and lentilgrowers, have since proven to be better than conventional lifters in these and other lodged crops; including small grains and soybeans, says Staples. "Key to the success of these new half-moon lifters is their simple design," he point out. "Their narrow profile (1/4 in.) and rigid design minimize crop hairpinning and mud buildup, compared to wider, spring-operated conventional lifters." The new style lifters are easily attached to combine or swather cutterbars at every fourth guard, which places them about a foot apart. They can be permanently left in place since they don't interfere with harvesting of crops where lodging isn't a problem. The special shaped lifters, originally designed for pea and lentil growers, have since proven to be better than conventional lifters in these and other lodged crops, including small grains and soybeans, says Staples. The guards, which are not interchangeable to different makes of machinery but must be custom made for each specific brand, are priced at $10.50 each. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Fred Staples Welding, Box 221, Oakville, Man. ROH OYO (ph 204 267-2203).

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