Soybean platforms sometimes become bulldozers, “pushing” dirt with one end of the cutterbar. Here are common causes and their cures:
Never overlook the possibility of an underinflated drive tire. If one tire on a set of duals is underinflated it can tilt the platform enough to cause bulldozing.
A torn edge on a poly skid shoe, a bent knife guard, anything that prevents the bottom of the platform from sliding smoothly over the stubble can cause endless bulldozing. If the leading edge of the poly is bent even ½” down it can catch enough debris to start pushing dirt, especially in the evening when the dew comes on and residue gets sticky.
If the header’s automatic side-to-side leveling system is out of calibration, one side will press harder against the ground. To test the system, raise the platform off the ground and tilt it full to the left, then hit the “header drop” button to see if the head levels itself as it lowers to the ground. Raise the head again, tilt it in the opposite direction and let if fall to the ground and see if it levels itself. If the head refuses to self-level, re-calibrate that system. If it won’t accept calibration, troubleshoot the sensors and wiring for the header tilt system.
Sometimes the bulldozing problem develops after starting a new field. If that’s the case, check to see if, when working along a fencerow, the linkage or skid shoe for the auto header height control or auto header leveling system got bent on that side of the head.
A damaged cutterbar drive support bracket can make the gearbox end of a cutterbar “push.” Check above the skid shoes for a cracked gearbox support frame or broken pivot pins. Some designs use a ball joint pivot to support the gearbox — make sure that ball joint hasn’t failed.
