Combines, Tractors Oh My!

Do you ever wonder "what the heck" are those farm people talking about when they say they're cutting hay, or combining corn? Well wonder no more, I am going to explain to you some of the most common equipment, and what it is used for. So next time you hear this unique language you will understand.

Tractor



Tractors are the most common piece of equipment, they run and pull a large majority of the add ons. You are probably already familiar with what a tractor is, but I will add a few more facts for you. Tractors come in many different brands, models, and 4x4 options. Different models have different options and power capabilities. Each model is identified by a set of numbers that is on the tractor.  There are open station tractors,which don't have a "cab". Some tractors have the option to add more wheels, these are called duals. 


This is a tractor with an open station. 

This is an example of a tractor with duals on all four wheels.

Combine



A combine is a machine used for harvesting grains like corn, wheat, oats, etc. Combines are very expensive at a few hundred thousand dollars for a new machine. Combines have what we call  heads which is the very front that cuts the plant and pulls it inside the machine where a sequence of small  machines and sieves separate the grain seed from the plant/stalk. The seed falls through the sieve into a holding container and the remaining plant is spit back out of the machine on a conveyer. The holding container has an auger, which is like a screw shaped conveyer that spins the seed up a tube. The seed spills out of the tube into whichever container is placed under the auger. Combines have different heads for different crops, typically one for corn and one for grains like wheat and oats. Here is a more detailed description of how the internals of a combine work.


This is what a corn head looks like. Notice how there are distinct "rows". This is for each row of corn.

This is a grain head. The top, black part, spins clockwise and rolls the top of the plant inside the spinning auger, red, that pulls the plant inside. The very bottom, black, has blades to cut off the plant from the ground.

Here is an auger at work.

Chopper (2 types)


There are two types of choppers: Self Propelled and Pull Type. 

Self Propelled choppers look similar to combines, but they harvest the plant much differently. A chopper does just as the name suggests: it chops up the whole plant into small pieces.A pull type chopper  does the same thing, but instead it is pulled behind a tractor, and behind the chopper is a wagon where the chopped pieces are blown in to from a "blower" at the bottom of the spout. The blower is like a high power fan. Just like a combine there are different heads for corn and for cut hay. The product that comes from this is called silage. Silage is fed to cattle and stored in silos or compacted piles, this is allows it to ferment  stays nutritious for the animal.


Here, is a self propelled chopper  with a hay head attachment.

A pull type chopper with a corn head.

This is corn silage.

This is one example of how silage is stored.

Haybine vs. Discbine



Both haybines and discbines are used for cutting hay, and pulled behind a tractor. A haybine has a "Reel" which is the big spinning part that pulls the hay in and cuts it. A discbine has guards on the sides, guiding the standing hay to the discs where it's cut inside. A discbine is typically much faster than using a haybine, but runs a great risk of the hay plugging up inside if it is too wet. Either way, when hay is cut the machine has to break the stem so that it can dry out. If it doesn't dry the hay will become moldy when it is baled.


Discbine, notice discs on the bottom in between the rubber sides, guards.

Haybine.

Square Balers and Round Balers



There are three styles of hay balers. First pictured is a large square baler, these large squares are about eight feet long, three feet tall and four feet wide (8ft x 3ft x 4ft). Second is a round baler. Round bales
can range from four ft diameters to six ft diameter! This depends on the model of the baler and the options on it. Some round bales have a net wrap which helps keep water from soaking into the bale and holds it together better. Lastly, there are small square balers. These balers condense hay to about 18 in by 36 in (1 1/2/ ft x 3 ft). These bales can be moved and stacked by hand, where large squares are so heavy they need a machine to do the moving, same goes for a round bale. Balers have a rotating bar with prongs in the front that picks up the cut hay and throws it side where it is spun (round baler) or compressed into squares (square balers).


This is a large square in comparison to a  person!

Here is one way that small square bales are collected as they are baled.

Here is a round baler, notice the yellow bottom with prongs. This is where the hay is picked up and pulled inside.

Here we have a round bale with net wrap.

Plow



A plow is used to pull the ground up from underneath. This breaks up the compaction and makes it easier for seeds to be planted and roots to grow. Plows used to be pulled by a horse or oxen, now they are a pulled by tractors. The part of the plow that goes into the ground is called a bottom and many plows have multiple bottoms.


Old style plowing with horses.

A plow bottom.

This is a plow with many bottoms, this is on the larger side.

Disk




A disk, like a plow, breaks up the ground. Just not as deeply. A disk can be used over plowed ground as well. It helps break up the sod and dirt chunks turned from the plow. Some disks are so large that the sides fold up for transport.


Here is a large disk. Notice the bright silver cylinders, that is so you can adjust how deeply the disk cuts.

Notice the "disks", hence the name of the piece of equipment.

Mixer


A mixer is similar to a blender, but it doesn't puree the "food". Mixers are used to create TMR or Total Mixed Rations. TMR is different silages mixed as well as other grains and feed stuffs. The desired feed is dumped into the mixer tub and large blades mix it together. Hay bales can also be put in a mixer for "processing", which is just cutting the long grass pieces into smaller, shorter ones. Mixers are hooked up to tractors and they have a conveyer belt so the TMR can be unloaded and spread out, while driving!



Dumping into the mixer.

This mixer is smaller than the one above.

The white parts inside the tub are the blades that rotate and mix. You can see the conveyer in the front.


All of these amazing machines help us get the food we ALL need!