I have begun the search for an IH 234 corn picker. I have read past postings and privately messaged a couple of you with questions I have had regarding this mounted picker. I have come to terms that I will find one and buy it, however one sticking point I have is moving a mounted picker.
I would like to know what are some ways that I can move a mounted corn picker from someones shed onto a trailer. I know the obvious answer is to mount it to a tractor and drive it onto the trailer. But I was hoping to save a few shiny pennies in transporation costs by just moving the units-gathering, husking, and shelling. The husking and shelling units should be fairly "easy" to move BUT the gathering unit stumps me.
Does anyone out there have any thoughts, ideas, and/or suggestions on how to move the gathering unit of a mounted corn picker without mounting it to a tractor?
I would really appreciate any direction you can share!
I wish I had an Oliver 74 picker, an IH 234 picker and a JD 237 picker all nearby so that I could see if I could adapt the picker cart I built for my NI 319/305 picker to work on these other brands. It sure works slick for picking up other New Idea's that I have bought for parts in the last few years - just get the cart under it in the guy's shed and then use his tractor or skid loader to push it up on the gooseneck trailer! If I could figure out a "universal" cart, I think I would be very busy the next few winters - all you guys would want one!
In lieu of a cart, the only advice I could offer is disassemble the "nose" off the 234 gathering unit and then handle each side of the unit separately with a loader or forklift, Get yourself a couple of nylon lifting straps - they save a lot of scratched and bent sheet metal. DON'T try to lift the whole gathering unit in one piece with a loader - something will give way and bend or buckle and you'll end up with a wrecked 234!
I've got four 234 pickers, every one I have taken the front snout off and moved each side by its self. easy to take apart . You can pack them better on a trailer that way. Just use nylon straps to lift them. Good luck
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Pickers: IH 2MH on Farmall 400, IH 234 on 766, IH 234 on 706, 2- 234 sheller units, 234 husker unint, 234 grinder unit, IH 34HM-20, New Idea 305 w/ husker, IH 14P pull type Shellers: Moline model E
I would really appreciate any direction you can share!
