cleaninn alfalfa with a clipper #27

[mtjohn]

If the alfalfa sets seed in the fall we usually combine it for seed. This year had a decent set and we went and cut a truck load and called to set up an appointment to get it cleaned and were told they pulled their gravity table out of the cleaning loop so no alfalfa. Called around and not having any luck finding anybody who will clean it within 150 mile radius. So question comes up have an old Clipper #27 fanning mill available is this a possibility and if so any advice such as screen size and tips to running it. Do have a guy with a air table thinking maybe rough clean ourselves and maybe deliver it to him for final cleaning and bagging. The sample seems pretty dirty but alot of seed in it! I do realize that probly not a big money maker but making something out of nothing seems to please the old man. Probably less than 1/3 of acres cut so alot more available if we can get cleaned and clean out a truck. Any ideas appreciated. Thanks John K.
 

[Case Nutty 1660]

I clean a lot of Alfalfa seed with a clipper unit I will have to look at the screens I use and post the numbers and will post you some pics cnt
 

[Mtjohn]

Thanks. Look forward to see pics and or info
 

[Dick2]

We had a special screen we used in the Clipper for alfalfa seed. Standard screens won't work.
 

[Ranger Ted]

Just in case any of you don't know, you can still get parts and download manual's for the old clippers, they are in Bluffton Indiana. Here is their site.

http://atferrell.com/clipper/parts?page=1
 

[Case Nutty 1660]

sorry my screens did not have numbers on these wood cased screens, my all metal ones do but these are the ones I use for Alfalfa, top screen should only allow the seed to pass I use a 3/32 round hole screen, the final screen only allows trash/weed seeds ect through and is a fine cross pattern screen, the cleaner I use now is a all metal one but the other one I have is all wood and worked as well as the newwer model shown hope this helps cnt






 

[mtjohn]

case nutty thanks for the pics. Any pics available of the "rough" seed straight out of the combine.(I see below that you were cutting some) I am wondering if mine is too dirty to screw with or if I should order some screens. I see from a different post that parts and such are available think I will contact them in the morning. What kind of time does it take to clean this up. I have a single axle truck load approx 300bu the cleaning area looks small thinking having to feed it by hand it doesn't look like I could set an auger over top to auto feed. If it is somehing that I could set up and do in a day might get real ambitious and keep cutting.
 

[Case Nutty 1660]

the shot above is from my 1969 960 with a Alfalfa sieve installed which does reduce the amount of hulls/trash ect in the seed, for years I did not have a specialty sieve and would end up with about 25% or so hulls mixed in which did make running it through the cleaner a longer process as I then set the cleaner to first remove the hulls then I ran it back through to do a finish clean, my cleaner is set up for a auger to remove the clean product which does help if you are bagging or as I do put it in resealable barrels to keep it nice and "critter free", I would guess I run 400lbs a hour thru mine most times maybe a little more, here I can get 4.00-5.00 a pound for seed so for me it is very worth while, another thing that works well on excess hulls is if you have access to a hammer mill as they will knock out the remaining seed very well, a grinder mixer would work well for this step also just a thought cnt