Managing canola harvester is not an easy task. There are many factors that must be considered in order to achieve the best results. Planning ahead, using foliar pre-harvest aids and a thresher that can perform properly are all important. These factors are also influenced by weather. A cyclone or frost can destroy a canola crop. If these conditions occur, a harvester must be able to withstand the elements. It is recommended that a forage harvester be able to operate in a paddock that has adequate support and trafficability.

Whether a canola front harvester is used to straight combine or swath, it is important to select the correct cylinder/rotor speed. A slow cylinder/rotor speed can help to reduce shattering. High cylinder/rotor speeds can hamper separation. This can cause a decrease in seed weight and chaff.

The rotor speed should be approximately 50 to 60% of the speed of the cereal. For canola, a cylinder/rotor speed of 400 to 650 RPMs is recommended. These settings should be optimized to minimize the seed loss during the harvest. If a smaller diameter cylinder is used, the speed should be reduced to 450 to 700 RPMs.

In addition to the cylinder/rotor settings, the fan and fan speed should be adjusted appropriately. If the wind is blowing hard, the fan may not be able to produce the needed air flow. A grower can determine if the field is suitable for the equipment by checking the moisture content of the crop. If the moisture is below 10 percent, the canola will heat up very rapidly on hot days. This can result in green weed seeds and immature seeds. A hand held grain tester can be used to check the moisture levels.

If a grower chooses to swath, the most effective type of swather is a draper, belt style. This type of swather does not crimp the windrow and allows for a more flexible harvest. However, the grower needs to be careful to run slowly in order to reduce the possibility of pod shattering. If a swather is used to swath canola, the grower should position the swather parallel to the prevailing wind direction. This will reduce the potential for windrow movement.

When swathing canola, it is important to swath at the lowest pods and on the main stem. The optimum time to swath for yield is at 60 per cent of the seed colour change. Depending on the variety, this may be the first or last seed colour change. A grower should be able to determine the maturity stage of a canola stand by monitoring the colour of the seeds on the main stem. If the seed is dark brown to black, the plant is mature. If the seed is a lighter brown, the plant is still at the flowering phase. The grower should be able to swath in heavy dew or rain.

It is best to start swathing a few weeks before the expected date of harvest. This will allow a grower to get started earlier, and will also help to hasten the drying process.