Improve Soybean Harvesting With Improved Reel Design

Lovejoy, Inc. Disc Coupling Proves Small Yet Unique Component Can Reap Great Benefits at Harvest Time

DOWNERS GROVE, IL (PRWEB) July 27, 2003 - In the grain belts across America and Canada soybean farmers battle time and weather conditions to harvest their crops at peak maturity and moisture content, for maximum yield. With more than 70 million acres to harvest in the U.S. alone, continuous, reliable operation makes a big difference in both yield and profit.

Lovejoy, Inc. the leading company specializing solely in coupling design and development introduces an unexpected application for their disc coupling and mounting, to improve equipment reliability and performance during soybean harvest time.

The soybean harvest depends on the beans moisture content. According to the University of Arkansas Agricultural Extension, harvesting or combining is the most costly operation of soybean production. Any adjustment to the harvesting equipment can literally translate into dollars per bushel for the farmer if his crop is harvested at peak efficiency."

With a vine or bean crop, like soybeans, getting all of the soybeans into the header is a challenge. Research (Agricultural Extension) shows that beans lost at the header account for more than 90 percent of total crop loss. Improper reel speed and reel position cause more shattered soybeans than any other adjustment on the combine. Or, bean pods may set low on the stalk -- close to the ground. Dry soybeans, especially those that are dry and then get a rain, tend to shatter.

Logan Farm Equipment 1988 Ltd., in Mitchell, Ontario, Canada, with more than 20 years experience designing improvements for farm equipment, created their own Advanced Wind-Reel System to provide an even flow of soybeans into the combine with less crop damage. Consistent feeding allows operation of the combine at full capacity with increased ground speed, better separation and more even residue distribution. The soybeans might hang as low as a half-inch above the ground, and a wind reel system creates a curtain of air that sweeps the crop from the knife, to greatly reduce shatter loss.

Mike DeCorte, engineer for Logan, says During harvest the combines run continuously, almost 24 hours a day and we need to get our customer through this period without having the equipment break down or perform at substandard levels." Based on customer complaints related to unreliability, costly maintenance time or performance issues, he turned to his engineering skills to design a better wind reel to solve these problems. He found the solution in an unexpected place, with a Lovejoy disc coupling.

This is definitely not a standard application for that coupling," says DeCorte, but the engineering challenges we face dont always allow us to go by typical rules. Basically, with the idea to use the Lovejoy disc coupling on the mechanical reel, were improving on the best of two other designs that have been around for years."

Instead of a traditional U-joint attachment, DeCorte mounted a SU132-6 hub and SU132-6 Disc Pack from Lovejoy, Inc., Downers Grove, IL, to a flange plate, which then bolts to an existing gear box sheave. Drive details on the particular Case model they selected for their first test run involved a 30hp, 4300 rpm fan load driven by a 14-inch sheave at 780 rpm.

Fred McWilliams, sales engineer for Lovejoy Canada, out of Toronto, says of the Lovejoy disc coupling, Two of the main problems with existing connections were backlash and downtime due to maintenance. The disc coupling has zero backlash, and as a metal coupling with a powerful hold, gets instant reaction to turn the shaft and instant stream flow. This disc coupling is practically maintenance free, reducing downtime." In addition, the secure hold provided by this metal coupling reduces both vibration and noise levels in the cab, to help reduce operator fatigue."

The Lovejoy disc coupling is only one of the many solution-engineered products from Lovejoy. Founded in 1900, Lovejoy enjoys an international reputation as the leading company specializing in flexible coupling design and development. Lovejoy products are available worldwide through distributors in North America and 45 other countries, supported by Lovejoy offices and support staff in Canada, Europe and the USA. Lovejoy, Inc., is certified under the ISO-9001 International Standards for Quality Management.

For more information, visit Lovejoys Web site at www.lovejoy-inc.com, or contact Lovejoy, Inc., corporate office, 2655 Wisconsin Ave., Downers Grove, IL, 60515, USA. Phone 630-852-0500; fax 630-852-2120; e-mail inquiries Info@lovejoy-inc.com.