I have been lurking around here for awhile. I have a NI 323 that I use to pick as much as 20 acres per year with. Always has worked fairly well except this year. Based on what I have read here, I get the feeling that a lot of my troubles are related to the snapping rolls are worn. Some of my troubles are probably also related to my corn being too tall and too high of a population. Probably the best corn I have ever grown here in Western NY.
Could someone please post some pictures of what snapping rolls in good condition look like? Also, I read some guys talking about the "pins" being wore, I have nothing on my snapping rolls that resemble pins, there are a few holes in the snapping rolls. Were there pins there that have broken off? Also, any pictures of what repaired (by welding) snapping rolls look like would be appreciated.
What kind of problems are you having? I just finished picking with my 323. Had the best corn ever seen on this hill farm. I had to gear way down for the picker to handle the corn through the rollers though.
One variety of corn it picked fine, the other has been giving me real trouble. Seems like the picker is breaking stalks and then the head plugs. I have closed the snapping rolls as tight as I can, I actually it have it beyond the tightest setting some and have the adjustment lever wired down. Seems like my snapping rolls are worn too smooth.
I know one thing, I am going to be a little more selective on which variety corn I grow next year. No more "dual" purpose corn.
Years ago with our NI 324 2-row, we would weld rough beads on different spots on the rolls to "roughen" them up a bit and also weld a short bead in any of the pockets toward the upper end of the rolls that looked like they were wearing smooth.
