Combine class size

[GDR]

All the discussion around class size and acres on here. We live close enough to the rocks that our harvest season is short compared to some areas. We also grow fairly big grain yields and huge straw yields. Very seldom do the wheels turn before 2nd week of september here. Some old timers told me when I was starting out that I needed whatever capacity it took to get my acres off in 150 hrs or less on the combine. So far I've got 17hrs since harvest started. So I guess I would have needed almost 9 combines to get my 1100 acres off by now for anyone that thinks I'm underpowered or over extended. (Just poking the bear) Currently running a 470r I think that's a class 7. It should be more than adequate for our area.
What sort of hours does everyone get on a machine at harvest?

[Ache4Acres]

A single 470 should do 1100 acres but I would say there is not lots of extra capacity there.

It has been a touch harvest for everyone.

The only guys done are those with less than 1200 acres per combine, but of luck and John Deere combines

[Ache4Acres]

BTW...we are not yet done...but we will get er! Patience rewards the late season harvester

[Ache4Acres]

Ugh...tough harvest...bit of luck

[farmaholic]

24-2500 acres depending how much I have to give up to sloughs......one class 8 combine and we're done. Early start with peas usually finish with flax.

Good days, start as early as possible and stay out relatively late. (Need sleep to function properly and safely). Will go later if we're not "caught up" and questionable weather is in short range forecast. I tell the "apprentice"..."if the combine isn't combining...harvest isn't happening" ...keep the "iron maiden" running!

For some areas this year, being properly ironed and manned up wouldn't have ensured they would be done.

Then there's the years you could take off one and a half to two crops!

Just a real bad shit year...next year could be 180º different.

[Tucker]

I have 1600 acres to do with two very reliable 9600s. I had 9 days of running. Two of those were 2 hour days rained off. Drying a bit of that too. I should be way over-equipped for here. Still have 250 acres out there. Nobody should have to have combines, carts and trucks to take your acres off in 9 days. Don't beat yourself up.

[farmaholic]

Then there's the guys who push it by using aeration early in harvest to take advantage of "aeration weather". And guys who will actually dry early harvested grain that would be dry in the field with in days.... some years "days" matter. ...harvest weather in Western Canada isn't infinite.

[jake550]

I don't remember the last time we ever did an entire harvest without using the dryer. And this year we dryed 85% of our wheat.
Was quite a few days we were going in 19 and 20 moisture wheat as usual. That's our norm around here.
2400 acres per machine. 180-200 separator hours.

[Quadtrack]

2800 acres with one class 7, a cart, couple semis and all aerated bins. 200 rotor hrs. Use aeration every year to start early and keep going when it's a bit tough.
We are lucky to be done this year but I really think we have 300-500 acres too much for one machine. I'm wondering if a dryer would not be a better investment than a second or a larger combine-going to seriously consider having a dryer set up for next year.

[Goodtime]

May not use a dryer every year but I think it is a must. Can definitely gain a lot of harvest days with one.

[Klause]

A Claas 470r is easily the same as a class 8 rotary.


Ours did 1472 acres in 103 threshing hours... That's peas, barley, lentils, wheat and canola.

Doesn't help how many acres/hr you can do when you don't get the hours to run.


Longest stretch of harvest was 4 days in peas.... Other than that, 1, 2, maybe 3 days before more rain.

[Tucker]

Yes. I bought my first dryer and dried grain from one hopper bin straight into a grain truck. Two batches and go dump it. Far better setup now that I can dry grain all night and have 5000 bu room for the next day. Worth every penny invested.

[highwayman]

Running 3 green class 8 machines on 11000 acres. Have been harvesting since august 15 and have 520 acres of standing durum to go. All grain harvested to date was taken off dry but remainder won't be. Grain cart has been without a doubt the most important piece of machinery in the field as it has allowed combines to run non stop efficiency when weather permitted. Looking back, perhaps could have pushed the hours a little harder on a few occasions to have finished but employees and family needed much deserved rest. Confident that we will get an opportunity to wrap it up. Sincerely hope every one else does as well. Good luck, keep your chin up and your stick on the ice!!

[Tucker]

Amen highwayman about not pushing family and hired help too hard. Wife runs one 9600. I'd be sleeping on the couch still if we went as late as I wanted to...

[HappyFarmer]

I have been told numerous times that you need a class 8 combine for every 3500 acres with a grain cart with aeration for 1/2 your crop or a drier.

Seems reasonable to me.