Monday, 17 December 2018 15:45

An ‘a-mazing’ set of records

Written by 
The world record maize harvest in action. The world record maize harvest in action.

A US family-owned farming operation has set not one, but two new Guinness World Records by harvesting 1111 tonnes of maize in eight hours and then 1620 tonnes in 12 hours.

They used a Claas Lexion 760 Terra Trac combine harvester equipped with a 16-row corn front.

In doing so, the team at Stewart Farms Partnership, Yorkville, Illinois, easily cruised past the 1300 tonne, 10-hour record they set eight years ago.

The feat represents a throughput of almost 135 tonnes per hour or one truckload every 12 minutes. 

Harvesting commenced at 9am in less-than-ideal conditions, with 12mm of rain having fallen the previous day. The grain bin was emptied at precisely eight, 10 and 12 hours after the work started.

The 1379 tonnes recorded at the 10-hour mark represents a 6% improvement on the 2010 record, which was attributed to ongoing improvements to the Lexion. 

Compared to its 2010 counterpart, today’s Lexion 760 has much higher power, a more efficient cooling system, a larger grain tank and several operator assistance systems.

More like this

New design Claas tractors set for Fieldays debut

Well known for its dominance in the harvesting arena, Claas has channelled its engineering excellence and a deep knowledge of the ag industry with the Fieldays release of the 2025 facelift Claas Arion 600C Evolution and Claas Night Edition Arion 660 tractors.

Featured

$2b boost in NZ exports to EU

New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

US tariffs hit European ag machinery markets

The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.

Tributes paid to Jim Bolger

Dignitaries from  all walks of life – the governor general,  politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and  friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Red faced

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter