MF 34 Cornhead Question

[wicomico160]

I have MF300 Combine that I acquired last year with 11" grain table. I acquired a Model 34 3 row corn head from a different person. Hooked up the 34 to the 300 and 300 barely picks it up off the ground - I remember the 34 owner asking if I had the heavy cylinders - and apparently I don't. Only have 7 acres of corn or so - Will I be able to "limp" along, or do I need to go on a search for heavy cylinders etc. I don't want to bend existing cylinders - my field is flat - alternatively - if someone wants to swap this 3 row for a 2 row - I prefer to have a 2 row as that is what I plant with. I am located in MD. Thanks

 

[Anonymous-0]

does a 300 have a belt driven hyd. pump? make sure the belt is tight as I have had this problem on a 510mf

 

[wicomico160]

I will have to check the manual to see if belt driven or not - it has no problem picking up the grain table, and will pick up the 34 about 12 inches or so - but no more

 

[Anonymous-0]

I used to own a 300 never had that problem and used a 3row corn head.Maybe your low on hyd fluid, i have had that problem before. Where in MD are you.Im in wicomico county.

 

[wicomico160]

Otherside of the Bay - Charles County, MD. I will check the hydro fluid - I think I can probably get thru the crop - I just didn't want to overly stress the cylinders if they were not supposed to be used on the 3 row - the prior owner ran a 2 row, but he wouldn't part with it as he was using it for parts; if anyone has a 2 row head out there, within reasonable distance, I would be interested.

 

[TractormanNC]

Been a while since I had my 300, but I DO remember it has a belt driven hyd pump. I had a 2 row corn head (22 I think) and it was ALL the hyd system wanted to pick it up. Got REEEAAAALLL squirrely on the back end.

Remember reading something in the operators manual about larger diameter hyd cylinders. That's all I can tell you. CRS.

If yours has automatic header height control with assist springs, you maybe can use them to take some of the load off the hyd cylinders. Never tried it.

 

[JMS/.MN]

Header height assist springs are meant to use with a bean head, to cushion the shock in the system, and help the head to respond quickly- they are not used with corn heads.

 

[TractormanNC]

I know that, ran one for 15 years. Just trying to give him something else to think about

 

[Anonymous-0]

a grain head will raise easily, a corn head has it's weight further out, on the 510 you had to watch real close to see the pump slow down.

 

[wicomico160]

Went over machine and manuel last night - looks like "low oil" and/or air in the system is the culprit - sometimes its the simple things that are overlooked - thanks for your help - Will know for sure when i run it thru the paces this weekend, unless we get the "Earl" and she can sit in the barn.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I think I would have checked the oil level before I posted here.

 

[Anonymous-0]

wE HAVE a good wide 2 row head here in S. IND , And I need a good 30 Narrow head here and would be willing to trade ??? Email is OPEN

 

[wicomico160]

Ben Dover - Thanks for your reply. This is my first combine and will be the first season using it - Having a rather overwhelming time becoming familiar with the machine, how it works, the set up, adjustments etc. I have the manual and parts book. Generally I search this forum before I post, but I didn't see anything on this issue. Hopefully the responses on here will help others as they have me.

 

[Larry from MD]

Well you can't be too far from me,i'am just off 234 in chaptico.

 

[Anonymous-0]

yes your 300 can be used with with 3 row heads 33&34, the problem is that it has to be retrofitted with a larger lift cyl. on the left hand side to handle the off set side of the header, also has to have brackets welded on in order to handle larger cyl. and extra weight, frame has to have frame support plates added, hyd.selector has to be changed and correct orifices installed,and a weight hanger added to rear axle with weight added to to keep the the rear wheels on the ground.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Years ago we had a 3496 Moline combine and used assist springs with sliding clamps around the lift cylinders for the 4 row corn head. Don't see any harm in using them to take some of the pressure off the hydraulics.