Modern agriculture is built around efficiencies — from how labor is deployed and crop rotations are selected to the technology of targeted spray applications and the use of precision monitoring devices.
One of the most efficient technological marvels used on North American farms is the combine harvester, yet despite its wealth of advancements, there are also innovative after-market parts for a combine that can further optimize harvest season. Bushel Plus’ SmartPan System and MAD Concaves are two vital tools that put quality and operational success at the forefront, allowing you to maximize crop yield and stay at the top of your game.
Bushel Plus SmartPan System
The Bushel Plus SmartPan System provides a comprehensive and accurate measure of grain loss, whether you’re in a field of corn, soybeans, or small grains such as wheat, oats, barley, canola, or rice. Using a magnetic drop pan in conjunction with the SmartDrop App and a digital field scale, the system collects a grain sample while the app conducts an industry-standard loss analysis, helping you put any loss issues you may be having into perspective while helping you calibrate you grain loss sensors — which is critical to ensure combine automation systems are working properly.
The SmartPan can be used on any combine and safely drops from the machine using a remote control or the app itself. The carrier unit that holds and covers the pan attaches to the combine using two strong magnets which means there is no wiring or bolts needed for its installation. The grain sample is then cleaned in just seconds with the Bushel Plus Air Separator, which can also be used to quickly cool down heated grain from the dryer so growers can get an accurate moisture reading.
The app can be set up to perform calculations in both metric and imperial data and allows farmers to save and share their machine and crop settings for future quick reference.
The SmartPan is available in 20-inch, 40-inch, and 60-inch sizes — a versatile array that lets farmers find the right fit, whether they’re working on research plots, with additional implement options, or in high-stubble situations. It’s even possible to level up one’s understanding of crop losses by attaching a 40-inch flagship SmartPan sizes to the back axle and header at the same time, offering a more complete picture of harvest.
These few simple steps can translate into thousands of dollars saved.
Bushel Plus MAD Concaves
Building on those efficiency improvements, Bushel Plus also offers reliable and durable bar-and-grate MAD Concaves, which replace traditional round-wire combine concaves. The innovative Bushel Plus approach results in more effective threshing, getting the grain out of the head and into the hopper quicker for decreased rotor loss and less dockage.
The modular design of the MAD Concaves allows producers to insert concave frames permanently and easily swap out much smaller, lighter inserts in mere minutes. With just two bolts and makes a noticeable difference in crop quality and loss reduction. Their high-quality AR-200 steel materials means more extended wear and precision sharpness.
There are a variety of grate options for the MAD Concaves, such as the .225, .300, .375, and .435, that maximize threshing efficiency, throughput, and capacity for different crops, as well as separate concaves for alfalfa as well as finger-grate, slotted, and round-bar styles.
The finger-grate concave is going to be the go-to for a lot of crops, such as peas, canola, oats, and barley. Meanwhile, the .225, is ideal for something like wheat in the first concave slot because it thrashes very well without cracking the kernels, with a big enough hole to let the grain out. With a continuous focus on innovation, after significant field testing across the U.S. and Canada, Bushel Plus launched their new O-Grate concave this fall for crops such as corn, soybeans, and milo. Testing of the cutting-edge design validated an increase in capacity and improved sample quality, and farmers can now outfit their combines for upcoming harvest.
These concaves are available for Case IH Flagship and 88-Series, John Deere STS/S Series, John Deere X9, and New Holland CR-22” Rotor combines.
Farmer success in agriculture is all about using the best tools to increase your understanding of your crop and your land and putting the best strategies into use. The SmartPan and MAD Concaves from Bushel Plus will help get you closer to efficiency — and profitability — than ever before.
This article was published on behalf of Bushel Plus. Visit this page to find a Bushel Plus dealer near you. The Smart Drop app is available in Google Play and the App Store.
Ryan Tipps is the founder and managing editor of AGDAILY. He has covered farming since 2011, and his writing has been honored by state- and national-level agricultural organizations.
