Maintenance & Profits: Keeping your thresher strong all seasons

Thresher Maintenance thumbnail

As we gear up for another harvest season, it is time to put your multi-crop thresher to use. Whether you are an existing owner of a thresher or intending to buy one, here is a cheat sheet to get th best out of the multi-crop thresher. The ST6000 Multi-crop Thresher is designed to meet the rigorous demands of post-harvest processing for multiple crops, but like any machine, it requires regular maintenance to perform at its peak. Below is a detailed maintenance guide to keep your machine running smoothly and avoid costly breakdowns.

ST6000 Gen III Multi-crop Thresher
ST6000 Gen III Multi-crop Thresher

Daily Maintenance

  1. Check Engine Oil Level: Before operating the thresher, always check the engine oil level using the dipstick. Maintaining proper oil levels ensures smooth engine operation and reduces friction in moving parts, preventing wear and tear. Add oil if the level is low, using the recommended grade for optimal performance.

    Engine Oil check
    ST6000 Thresher Engine Oil being checked with dipstick
  2. Inspect and Tighten Bolts and Moving Parts: Vibrations during operation can cause bolts to loosen over time. Inspect all bolts, nuts, and fasteners daily and tighten them as needed. Focus on high-stress areas like the threshing drum, drive shaft, and transmission components.

    Bolts check
    ST6000 Thresher Bolts check
  3. Grease Bearings and Moving Parts: Proper lubrication is essential to prevent wear on bearings and moving parts. Apply grease to all bearings, joints, and rotating components either before or after each use. This helps reduce friction and prevents overheating.

    Grease moving parts
    ST6000 Thresher moving parts
  4. Maintain Fuel Levels: Avoid running the fuel tank dry. Diesel engines rely on consistent fuel supply, and running out can introduce air into the fuel lines, leading to engine stalling or damage. Always have extra fuel on hand before starting operations.
  5. Clean the Air Filter: A clean air filter ensures the engine gets enough airflow for efficient combustion. Clean the air filter element daily to prevent dust and debris from hindering engine performance.

    Air filter
    ST6000 Engine Air filter undergoing check
  6. Clean the Thresher After Use: Chaff and debris can accumulate in the threshing drum and other parts. Clean the machine thoroughly after each use to prevent clogging and reduce wear on components.

    Clean thresher body
    Maintaining a Clean thresher body

Weekly Maintenance

  1. Check Tyre Pressure: Check tyre pressure weekly to ensure proper inflation. Underinflated tyres lead to poor maneuverability and faster wear, while overinflation reduces traction. Adjust pressure as needed.

    Tyre pressure check
    Tyre pressure check
  2. Clean the Air Filter with Compressed Air: Once a week, remove the air filter and clean it using low-pressure compressed air. This removes fine dust particles that daily cleaning may miss, ensuring continued engine efficiency.

    Air filter
    Air filter
  3. Inspect Thresher Belts and Components: Inspect all belts, particularly the drive belts and threshing belt, for signs of wear or cracks. Replace damaged belts immediately to avoid unexpected breakdowns during operation.

    belt
    Thresher belt and pulley system
  4. Drain and Clean Cooling Water System: The cooling system is vital for maintaining engine temperature. Drain the cooling water weekly to remove dirt and deposits, and refill the system with clean water or appropriate coolant.

    Thresher Coolant tank
    Thresher Cooling tank

Monthly Maintenance

  1. Inspect the Threshing Drum: The threshing drum is central to the ST6000’s operation, and any damage here can severely impact performance. Open the drum monthly and check the following:
    • Inner Sieve: Inspect for breaks or tears, which can allow unthreshed material to pass through.
    • Spikes: Look for bent or damaged spikes, which can reduce threshing efficiency. Replace any worn or broken spikes.
  2. Repair or Replace Damaged Components: If the inner sieve is damaged or spikes are loose, contact SAYeTECH for repair or replacement. Operating with damaged parts will degrade threshing quality and may cause further damage to the machine.
  3. Inspect Suction Systems: The primary and secondary suction systems are responsible for separating grains from chaff. Inspect these systems for blockages or damage. Contact SAYeTECH for professional repairs if necessary.Clean thresher body

Wrapping it up. By following this maintenance schedule, the ST6000 thresher will continue to operate efficiently, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of your machine. Stay connected for further usage and maintenance tips in the future.
In case you haven’t acquired a thresher yet, reach out to SAYeTECH for a great offer!  Visit our contact page to get started.

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Gearing Up for a Bountiful Harvest: What Farmers Must Do in September

Harvesting Season

As September rolls in, farmers across Ghana know that the major harvest season for maize, soybeans, and rice cereals is just a few weeks away. With October around the corner, it’s time to take those final steps that will make all your hard work pay off. This is a crucial period to not only tend to your crops but also to make sure you’re fully prepared to bring in a successful harvest. Here’s a checklist of how you can get ready:

1. Caring for Your Crops

Your crops may be almost ready, but they still need your care.

  • Keep Weeds at Bay: Weeds can compete with your maize or cereals for nutrients, water, and light. Ensure that the field is kept free from weeds, especially during this crucial stage. Check out this video to learn how to properly manage weeds.
  • Check for Insects: Keep an eye out for pests like stem borers, armyworms, and aphids that can damage the crops. Inspect the leaves, stems, and cobs for any signs of infestation.

    Gram pod borer
    Gram pod borer in Soya bean: Image Credit: Agriplexindia.com
  • Watch for Diseases: Look for symptoms of diseases such as maize streak virus, rust, or leaf blight. Yellowing, wilting, or unusual spots on the leaves could indicate a problem.

2. Get Ready for the Harvest

A successful harvest doesn’t just happen; it’s the result of good planning. Now is the time to check that your tools and equipment are in good shape. Do you have enough hands to help with the harvest? How about getting things like sacs (recommending a hermetic storage sac), grain moisture meter, and other necessities ahead of time to avoid price hikes during peak seasons. If not, start making arrangements.

3. Secure a Multi-Crop Thresher

One of the smartest moves you can make right now is to ensure you have access to a multi-crop thresher. If your crops sit too long in the field after they’re ready, they can spoil, or you could lose valuable grains.

A multi-crop thresher working on a Soyabean farm during harvest season
A multi-crop thresher working on a Soyabean farm

A multi-crop thresher can make all the difference. It quickly separates the grain from the chaff, saving you days of hard labor and reducing the risk of spoilage. Threshing on time not only helps you avoid losses but also improves the quality of your grains, making them more suitable for storage, food processing, or selling at a higher price. Remember, well-threshed grains often fetch a premium in the market. Check out SAYeTECH’s multi-crop thresher if you want to buy one.

4. Prepare Your Storage and Market Plan

As you get closer to harvest, start thinking about where and how you’ll store your crops. Proper storage is crucial to keep your harvest in top condition. Make sure your storage areas are clean, dry, and secure. And if you plan to sell your crops, now is the time to explore your market options. Knowing where your produce is headed will help you get the best prices and avoid last-minute stress.

5. Stay Connected with Your Farming Community

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of staying connected. Talk to fellow farmers, engage with extension officers and farmer groups, and keep learning about the latest agricultural tips and market trends. Sharing knowledge and experiences can give you valuable insights and help you overcome challenges together.

Wrapping it up

As we approach the harvest season, your focus should be on giving your crops the final care they need, getting your resources in order, and making smart choices that will lead to a bountiful yield. By securing a multi-crop thresher, you’ll be taking a big step toward reducing losses and improving the quality of your harvest. At SAYeTECH, we’re here to support Ghanaian farmers with the tools and solutions you need to succeed. Let’s work together to make this harvest one to remember!

For any enquiries or support, kindly reach out to us via admin@sayetech.io or +233 20 987 9370

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