Double-Check These Five Things on Your Combine Before Harvest

Even though the combine goes into winter storage in good working order, there is always plenty of work to be done once you pull it back out. Getting your machine ready for long hours and hard work is one of the best time investments you can make for a smooth harvest. 

We asked Jeremy Farrell, CLAAS FARMPOINT™ Iowa product specialist, what growers should keep top of mind as they pull the combine out before it’s go time.  

  1. Gearboxes
    Make sure gearboxes are filled to the proper level. The oil should look clean; be sure to follow proper maintenance intervals. Gearboxes are expensive, and it’s worth the time and investment in oil to keep them in good shape.

  2. Chopping knives
    Check that they’re intact and sharp. Dull knives require more horsepower to chop, which eats more fuel.  It’s incredible how much you can save by replacing your knives if they’re worn out, Farrell points out.

  3. Belt and chain condition
    Belts go through a lot of wear and tear throughout harvest. A broken belt can cost valuable time in the field when conditions are best, so be sure to adjust belt tension to manufacturer settings. Start the season knowing what condition your belts are in and proactively order replacements.   The same goes for chains. Double-check chain tension and condition, and replace or oil as needed. If a chain is worn but still usable, make a note to check it on your first rain day of harvest. 

  4. Greaser
    Make sure your greaser is full and operational, so you’re not running your auto-lube out of grease. For those running an auto-greaser-equipped combine, be sure to use CLAAS-grade grease. Other manufacturers may use a different viscosity of grease that isn’t compatible with the machine.  Don’t forget to grease the zerks not on the auto greaser, Farrell suggests.

  5. Impeller
    Your impeller is a big wear point within the combine. Checking and replacing wear parts is no small task, but it is vital to keep them in good shape for high machine throughput.  

Other wear items to double-check: 

  • Sprockets: Worn sprockets will highly accelerate wear on whatever chain they are driving.  
  • Bearings: Worn, failing or dry bearings are a top cause of combine fires across all brands. 
  • Pulleys: Check for any abnormal play or noise in the bearings and for proper alignment. 

Test your machine settings before hitting the field. Run through all functions and full speed ranges to check sieves, concave, fan, rotors, etc., and avoid any potential issues before harvest starts. 

 Now’s the time to thoroughly inspect and prepare your combine for 2025 harvest. Your time investment beforehand will pay dividends in the field by reducing potential breakdowns. A well-prepped machine will operate more efficiently, using less fuel to harvest higher-quality grain. 

Get in touch with your local CLAAS FARMPOINT specialist to get in for a 300-point machine inspection.  

The FARMPOINT team does everything right in front of you. They’ll walk around the machine with you, ask questions and help jog your memory about issues from last year, Farrell explains.  

Contact your area dealer to schedule a pre-harvest inspection: 

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