CIH 1620

[OneOwnerFarmall]

I retired my JD 4400 with 4R36 corn head and replaced the combine with a CIH 1620, thinking that the "baby" combine of the series would straddle (2) 36" rows like the JD 4400 did.  However, it will only straddle (3) 30" or (3) 36" rows.  In retrospect, I should have bought a 1440 or 1640 but his one had a BIsh head adapter on it and I was going to use my JD 4R36 head.  I know the 1420's had issues with axle breakage -- did CIH use a 1640 axle under the 1620, or would the 1420's not straddle (2) 36" rows either?  I've located a 5R36 corn head but with taking in 25% more corn, I probably won't be able to get to the end of the rows without a grain cart alongside (my 4400 had metal bin extensions and I added 12" boards on top).  My 1620 has no extensions, so if I add them, will the cross auger be able to fill it or do I need a bubble up auger?
 

[OneOwnerFarmall]

I was hoping that some expert would reply to my 2 quetions -- "would the 1420's no straddle (2) 36" rows either?" and "will the cross auger be able to fill it or do I need a bubble up auger?".  Any "experts" out there?

[jass1660]

Cross auger should be fine unless you’re in super wet corn.

[Jeff-C-IL]

I don't think there is any NA combine newer than the 4400 that can straddle just two 36" rows.   Your problems are not unusual issues with any of the newer combine - How do you get "thru" 1/2 mile rows w/o a cart & extra driver.....can you add extensions (I would be VERY hesitant to add a whopper topper to that 1620 because of the weight) .  I've even seen guys use a 6 row head and only take 4 rows.....

I still combine 4-36 with a JD 9500.  It BARELY fits thru (like 2-3" on each side) but I've never had any issues.   The tires drive right on top of the outer rows - you just need to put stubble stompers on the outer rows of the head so you don't chew up the tires.  Been doing that for years and I've not had any tire issues.   And it is a little more "squirrely" steering, as sometimes the combine wants to "slide off" the row...its not bad, maybe just a little more effort than having the tires run in between the rows.   I can't make a full round, even with the whopper topper.   I've lost any helpers, so I actually have my auger cart for sale....and now just park wagons at both ends of the field.  Breaking open the field can be a bit fun....

[HydroTek]

You are on 36 inch rows ?

Most around here use 30 inch rows 

so a 4 or 6 row head on that machine 

is there an advantage to the 36" rows ?

[Jeff-C-IL]

IDK about the original poster, but for my farm its simple - the 9500 will not fit thru 4-30".   I can't afford to buy all different machinery to go to 6/12 rows.  Especially since my current stuff is in good shape and has some special mods I made.   No way the 30" rows will ever pay enough more to fund that on my small family farm.   Esp. in the few more years I will likely farm. 

I have even thought of 5/10 30" - but again, lots of cost for ??? more yield.

I could go to an 8 row header, but then unlikely I could make a whole pass in 1/2 mile rows....which won't work since I farm alone.

I do plant 30" beans.   So you could say - but you already have a 30" planter.....yeah, a old 8-30 7000 with a Cyclo air box mounted set up just for beans.   

[brahamfireman]

My 1480 with huge tires fit between 4x36's but just barely. As far as straddling rows, forget about that. You'll just have to run over the rows like most combines do, tire damage will be almost unnoticeable. 

[OneOwnerFarmall]

Thanks for the comments.  "Cross auger should be fine" so I'll put on a bin extension but not a "whopper topper".  I'm on 36" rows because I can't justify converting all the equipment for a small farm, and I still enjoy playing in the dirt and watching crops grow.  I have a few 5R36 corn heads located so I'm considering that route because with gravity irrigated corn, it's too easy to slide off the top of the row.  The 1620 will straddle (3) 36" rows.  My long rows are less than 3/8 mile so I've always had to have some help to take corn away with the auger wagon.  My short rows are 1/4 mile and that's where I had to have 2 extensions on my old 4400.  With a bin extension on the 1620 and a 5R36 head, I'll probably have to take just 4 rows to get through.  Working by myself, I park the auger wagon on the far end.  On the near end, I run the combine to the gravity wagon and auger at the bin.  The reason I upgraded was to get to a fully enclosed hydraulic auger, hydrostatic drive, and an air conditioner and fan that WORKS.  The other reason was because a friend said that once I went to the rotary, I'd never go back to a straw walker machine.  THANKS to EVERYONE for their comments!
 

[jass1660]

I had a 8” extension on my 1660 and cross auger was no problem. Held 200 bu of good corn.

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

Why does it matter if it straddles two 36” rows? Your 4r36 head should work just fine. Why would you need a 5 row? I have run rotary machines and walker machines and I couldn’t tell the difference in performance on any of them on machines that were the same capacity. They all cost a fortune to operate on thousands of acres, they all wear out and they all break down. My personal opinion is that a walker machine runs cheaper. If you want to run a 45’ head, it will have to be run by a rotary, but 1460 vs a 7720 is personal preference. I would expect a 1620 to be a much nicer machine than a 4400, but only because it is newer, not because it is a rotary. 

[OneOwnerFarmall]

Regarding "Why would you need a 5 row?" -- The 1620 will only straddle (3) 30" or (3) 36" rows depending on which way the wheels are dished.  A 5R36 head will allow me to straddle 3 rows and keep the tires in the furrow.

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

22 minutes ago, OneOwnerFarmall said:

Regarding "Why would you need a 5 row?" -- The 1620 will only straddle (3) 30" or (3) 36" rows depending on which way the wheels are dished.  A 5R36 head will allow me to straddle 3 rows and keep the tires in the furrow.

I understand that it will only straddle 3 rows, but I don’t understand why that matters. Is it because of tillage practices or irrigation or? Our machines run over a row on the left and a row on the right all the time. Large machines often do not track rows. We use stalk stompers to save the tires. If there isn’t a specific reason, just drive over the stalks. 

[HydroTek]

If you have the wide tires , they will catch 2 rows 
or run over one and be real close to the other

Dish out and you will be stressing that axle
especially with bin extensions 

That is what stalk stompers are good for to save the tires

[acem]

I run 36" beds as well. 

With 24.5x32 you need to fit the row middles or the combine will be noticeably slanted and it's difficult to steer (keep the corn header in the row).

With 30.5x32 tires it dosen't seem to matter as it is wide enough that you don't have a high and low tire.

I've never seen 30.5x32 on a 20 size combine but 28L26 would probably work.

[1480x3]

4 hours ago, Dirt_Floor_Poor said:

I understand that it will only straddle 3 rows, but I don’t understand why that matters. Is it because of tillage practices or irrigation or? Our machines run over a row on the left and a row on the right all the time. Large machines often do not track rows. We use stalk stompers to save the tires. If there isn’t a specific reason, just drive over the stalks. 

Wonder if he is on ridges ?

[acem]

9 minutes ago, 1480x3 said:

Wonder if he is on ridges ?

Yes, I believe so.

He mentioned gravity irrigation and Furrows.  He's on beds like my row crops (not rice).

Way different than harvesting on the flat.

[1480x3]

9 hours ago, acem said:

Yes, I believe so.

He mentioned gravity irrigation and Furrows.  He's on beds like my row crops (not rice).

Way different than harvesting on the flat.

He does have a dilemma, i'm pretty sure that combine would not like axle extentions. A 5 row head is probly the best solution

[Jeff-C-IL]

My dad complained nearly every fall about the tires running on the rows - and we did not have ridges.   Not because of tire damage....he just liked how it used to be.

Back with the old 55 combines, he also had a 1955 Ford grain truck that would track down the rows.  Once he had "broke thru", he would literally start the combine down the rows, climb down & get in the truck, run up beside the combine, pull the throttle override out a bit, get out, climb on the combine, unload on the go as he rolled thru the field.  When he got near the end, climb down and get in the truck, drive to the end of the field, stop the truck, get out, catch the combine as it got to the end, turn around and start all over going the other way. 

All that w/o any autosteer....because the combine had the wheels set to run in the bottom of the cultivated rows.   And the truck front axle happened to be able to run nearly the same way.   He claimed he never had either one wander off.

I personally think he was crazy lucky to not have accidents....heck I actually have nightmares about chasing a "unpiloted" tractor or combine and trying to catch back up.......and I don't do the above!   But I have to remember those machines were a lot smaller and slower.

Many modern combines do have the duals set to run in row.  On the flip side - running on top of the row can sometimes keep you moving in muddy conditions - until you slide off.....

If he is running on real ridges - then yes, a 5 row head may be his best solution.