Troubleshooting

The majority of corn head operating problems can be traced to improper adjustment. The following troubleshooting chart will help you when problems develop by suggesting a probable cause and the recommended remedy. Make certain when you are trying to solve a problem, that the source does not come from some place other than where the problem exists.

Loss of Ear Corn in the Field

Points tips set too high.

Adjust points so tips lightly touch ground when row unit skid plate is 2.5 cm (1 in.) above ground.

When picking low hanging ears, raise front tip of gatherer points and run corn head with the skids close to the ground.

Ground speed too fast or too slow.

Operate at a speed to meet field and ground conditions. Too much ground speed can bend stalks forward and cause ears to fall ahead of gatherer chains. Slow ground speed can cause gatherer chains to jerk stalks and snap off ears causing ears to slide off header.

Operate at a speed where gatherer chains help guide stalks into the rolls.

Not picking planter rows.

Follow planted rows to minimize ear loss.

Row units not centered on rows.

Adjust corn head row spacing to equal row spacing of corn in field.

Ears sliding out over gatherer chains.

Replace worn ear savers or reinstall previously removed ear savers.

Gatherer chain speed too fast or too slow.

Change speed of variable speed feeder house or increase ground speed.

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Ear Shelling at Stalk Rolls

Deck plates not adjusted correctly.

Adjust deck plates. Reduce gap between deck plates.

Machine operating too high.

Raise point tip and run header lower.

Shelled Corn Coming out Rear of Combine

Excessive trash intake from corn head.

Change drive sprockets to increase drive speed (see "Adjustments" section).

Open deck plate spacing on corn head.

Ears Sliding out Through the Throat

Ear savers worn out.

Replace ear savers.

Pulling up Corn Stalks

Deck plates set too close together.

Gradually open deck plates until stalks feed through rolls more freely.

Traveling too fast for gatherer chain speed.

Slow down to meet crop conditions or increase row unit drive speed.

Gatherer chain flights digging into cornstalk roots.

Lower point tip and run header higher.

Corn too dry or down.

Remove ear savers.

Worn stalk rolls.

Replace stalk rolls.

Plugging

Stalks breaking in stalk rolls or deck plates.

Adjust opening of deck plates. Also be sure deck plates are set equally and centered over center of rolls.

Trash winds around stalk rolls.

Set trash knives closer to stalk rolls.

Loose gathering chains.

Check gathering chain mechanism.

Not picking planter rows.

Follow the rows to minimize ear loss.

Ground speed too fast, causing material to overrun corn head.

Operate at a speed to meet yield and ground conditions. Faster speed causes plugging.

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Material not flowing with auger.

Check auger housing for obstructions and roughness. Check auger for 22 mm (7/8 in.) clearance between auger flight and floor. Check auger for 6 mm (1/4 in.) clearance between auger flighting and stripper.

Corn stalks plugging in gatherer throat opening.

Remove ear savers.

Worn stalk rolls.

Replace worn stalk rolls.

Loss of Ear Corn from Weakened or Broken Stalks. Problem is Caused by Disease (Stalk Rot) or Insects (Corn Borers)

Contact of stalk with ear savers.

Remove ear savers.

Ground speed too fast.

Reduce ground speed.

Feeder house speed incorrect.

Find the correct speed for your conditions by trying different feeder house speeds.

Worn stalk rolls.

Replace stalk rolls.

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