MAD Concaves – Product Support
Thank you for choosing BranValt MAD Concaves™!
We understand the issues farmers face when it comes to rotor loss, grain quality, and the difficult process of installing and removing heavy, awkward concaves – we’ve been there!
MAD Concaves are designed by farmers for farmers. We define success as helping you achieve the highest levels of yield and quality possible, while increasing your efficiency and profitability through our innovative concaves.
Our support portal is designed to answer any questions you may have, help you with a seamless installation process, and to avoid or resolve some potential issues for a better experience with our products. As always, if you have any questions that aren’t answered here, you can also reach out to your local BranValt dealer for product support.
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INSTALLATION GUIDES
MAD Concaves User Manual.
Step-by-Step Tutorials -
INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS
BranValt MAD Concaves Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Have questions about the BranValt MAD Concaves? Find quick answers to the most common inquiries below.
Are BranValt MAD Concaves compatible with Case IH combines?
Yes, BranValt MAD Concaves are designed to fit specific Case IH combine models, such as the 88 Series and Flagship model. These concaves are engineered to optimize threshing and separating efficiency, resulting in improved grain quality and higher harvesting productivity.
What are the advantages of using BranValt MAD Concaves?
MAD Concaves offer several benefits, including:
- Improved threshing and separation: The multiple angle and dimple design of MAD Concaves optimizes crop flow, leading to better threshing and separating performance.
- Reduced grain damage, preserving grain quality and maximizing yield potential.
- Enhanced harvesting efficiency: save time during the critical harvest season with our easy-to-change modular systems
Can I install BranValt MAD Concaves myself?
Yes, you can install BranValt MAD Concaves yourself. The concaves are designed for easy installation and can be installed using standard tools. Detailed installation instructions are provided with the product to guide you through the process.
Can I change the configuration of BranValt MAD Concaves to better suit my crop/condition?
Yes, BranValt MAD Concaves offer interchangeable inserts that can be swapped out in minutes. The concave inserts can be replaced to suit different crop types and harvesting conditions. This allows you to customize the concave configuration for optimal combine performance and grain quality. Refer to our website for our suggested configuration, based on experience in the field, for the best combination for your crops and conditions
Do BranValt MAD Concaves require any special maintenance?
BranValt MAD Concaves do not require any special maintenance beyond regular cleaning. It’s recommended to remove debris and residue from the concaves periodically to ensure optimal performance. Detailed maintenance instructions are provided along with the product.
How do I know which configuration is best suited for my crop and conditions?
BranValt MAD Concaves were invented by experts who have tested and perfected the product on their own farms. With this, BranValt provides guidance on the best configuration for your specific crop and conditions, based on the summation of this experience. On our website, you can find resources such as crop-specific performance guides and configurations.
Are BranValt MAD Concaves compatible with different crop types?
Yes, BranValt MAD Concaves are available in different configurations to fit a wide range of combine models. They offer options for various combine brand, including manufacturers such as John Deere, Case IH, and New Holland. Each configuration is designed to provide an exact fit and optimal performance to the specific combine model.
How do I change the concaves for my combine and how long does it take, how hard is it?
Changing the concaves for your combine is a straightforward process. The concaves are designed as direct replacements for OEM concaves, ensuring easy installation. While the exact steps may vary depending on your combine model, the process typically involves removing the old concaves and replacing them with the BranValt MAD concaves. It is recommended to consult the product manual or installation instructions provided by BranValt for specific guidance. The time required for the installation may vary depending on your previous experience and familiarity with the process, but it generally takes a few hours. The difficulty level can vary based on your mechanical skills and combine knowledge, but with proper instructions the installation should be manageable for most users.
What is the difference between BranValt MAD Concaves and wire concaves?
BranValt MAD Concaves are innovative bar-and-grate style modular concaves and offer several advantages over traditional wire concaves. The key differences include:
1. Threshing & separation: MAD Concaves provide enhanced threshing and separation performance compared to wire concaves. The adjustable concave bar design and multi-zone threshing system optimize the threshing process, resulting in improved grain quality and reduced grain losses.
2. Customization: MAD Concaves offer adjustable settings, allowing you to tailor the concave configuration to specific crop types and conditions. This customization ensures optimal performance and maximizes harvesting efficiency.
3. Durability: MAD Concaves are built with high-quality AR-200 metal and undergo rigorous testing to ensure longevity. They are designed to withstand the demands of modern harvesting operations and provide reliable performance throughout the season.
Are BranValt MAD Concaves compatible with New Holland combines?
Yes, BranValt MAD Concaves are available for select New Holland combine models such as the CR series. Our concaves are built for a combine with a 22 “ rotor. This includes models such as 9070, 9080, 9090, 8090, and 1090. By installing these concaves, you can enhance the threshing and separating performance of your New Holland combine, leading to better grain quality and increased harvesting capacity.
Are there specific concave inserts that are best suited to certain crops?
Yes, the .225 insert is for hard threshing crops, the .300 easier to thresh, the .375 is very versatile and could potentially be left in for all crops, the .435 is for chickpeas, the finger grates reduces over threshing and get the most grain out, and lastly, the slotted grates are for shatter resistant canola or any other delicate crop where germination is a concern. The Alfalfa concave is specifically designed for alfalfa sprouts.
Can I use BranValt MAD Concaves in combination with other aftermarket accessories or modifications?
Yes, in certain cases, BranValt MAD Concaves can be used with OEM parts to save users money. BranValt MAD Concaves aim to get 90% of threshing done in the first 2 positions thus making it a cost-effective solution for your harvest.
Are BranValt MAD Concaves compatible with John Deere combines?
Yes, BranValt MAD Concaves are available for various John Deere combine models, including the S-series and X-series. They are engineered to fit seamlessly and replace the OEM concaves, providing enhanced threshing and separation capabilities for improved crop performance.
Does BranValt offer a one-crop-fits-all concave configuration?
Like most of our competitors, we do have very versatile concaves that can be left in for most crops, such as finger grates and the .375. The issue with a “one concave fit all” concept is that this type of concave configuration does not harvest every crop optimally, there will inevitably be wasted crops. At BranValt, want to make sure that each crop is being harvested in its most efficient form the least amount of waste as possible. That way you end up with more money in your pockets.
What do numbers like 225, 300, 375, … mean?
This number refers to the spacing between the vertical bars. For example, the .225 concave insert has a gap of 0.225 inches in between its vertical bars.
Can I buy separate parts or grates to replace/fix concaves?
No, BranValt does not fix nor replace concaves due to normal wear and tear, such as damage caused by rocks. If a concave insert is damaged, you would need to purchase a new concave insert to replace it. The only time we would replace it would be if the concave insert was already compromised due to sub-optimal manufacturing
Can MAD Concaves help fix rotor loss on my Case or New Holland combine?
MAD Concaves will not completely fix rotor loss, but it certainly can significantly reduce it. The first step to resolving this issue is to figure out whether you have a small tube rotor or regular tube rotor on your combine. The ultimate solution would be to change the small tube for a standard rotor (but this costs around 14 thousand dollars). The difference between the two types of rotors is: the number of rub bars (66 spread into 3 rows vs. 40 into 2 rows) and the distance between the tube/rub bar and the concaves (2 inches vs. 3 inches). With the smaller tube rotors, you will have to use a concave insert with larger holes to let grain out. This is because the smaller tube rotor allows for more space (3 inches = extra inch) which means grain skirts around the rub bar instead of going through the concave holes. In that extra inch of space, you lose the pressure/ friction with the concave thus you must compensate with speed, and while speeding the grain through, you are potentially compromising your threshing efficiency. Not good. If you do have a small rotor in your combine, we do not recommend the 0.225 because the holes are too small. We would instead recommend starting with the 0.300 or the 0.375 in the front position.
How can I fix sieve loss in a Case Flagship combine?
When experiencing sieve loss in a Case combine, we must look at pinch point. The pinch point is the point where the rotors and the surrounding concaves are at the tightest spot.
The 88 series combines had 154 degrees of concave surface to discharge grain out, whereas the Flagship models have 180 degrees. This extra surface area means that unless your pinch point is set in the middle (at around 90 degrees), you’re open to the potential to overload one side. By setting the pinch point to the middle, you are giving both sides equal opportunity to take on load.
When installing finger grates inserts, which way should the fingers be pointing?
When installed as intended the direction of the rotor rotation is in the same direction as the Fingers are “pointing”. The only time you can switch this Finger direction (swap left and right) is with the John Deere split frame. This doesn’t work with Case IH because the LEFT and RIGHT concaves inserts are designed differently. This also doesn’t work with New Holland Finger Grates concaves because they both are the exact same, which means when you switch them from either side, they will always be in the correct position either way.
One reason you would try to swap out the left finger grate for the right one, and vice versa, to change the direction of the fingers, would be when you are combining really wet corn or canola. The Finger grate design could plug, BUT when you switch them around they don’t plug. This is a very rare occurrence.
We did address this issue by extending ALL Fingers in the Finger grate design so that the fingers almost touch the opposite threshing bar leaving no gap and thus nothing to plug.
I installed a set of concaves in a John Deere 9770 STS and fit all fine, but now I’m moving them over to a S680 and they all fit except for the very first position. Did I buy the wrong concaves?
No, just make sure the extension lip is very close to (almost touching) the front, and the proper holes will be aligned. If you choose the the front hole, you will have a space between the lip and front wall and subsequently the middle concave won’t have enough room to fit in. Recommend she call her dealer for help.
Can I swap out my concaves from the Case 88 series to the John Deere STS / S series?
The split frames for the Case 88 series and the John Deere STS / S series are very different and cannot be interchanged for one another. They just attach differently to the z plate and pony bar. The concave inserts that go into the Case 88 split frames, on the other hand, are the same inserts that go into the STS / S series frame.
When harvesting chickpeas in a John Deere STS / S series, is it best to use a .437 in both 1st and 2nd position?
Usually this works best: 1. Position: .437, 2. Position: Finger Grate. We need the .437 in the first position to get the skins off the beans. Sometimes when the skins are really tight, then a .437 in the second position will help.
For Case 88 (Older combines) if we have MAD split frames in the first two positions, what do we use in the third position?
You could leave the OEM large wire in the third position. This could provide a cost-effective solution to increasing harvest yield, as MAD concaves aim to get 90% of the threshing done in the first 2 positions. Most start with just the first position and go from there.
I have a Case combine and I need a left and a right shim for my MAD concaves.
The shims were used to tighten up the gap between the concave and the plate it attaches to, in the old combines. The 2005 & 2006 flagship combines, and their respective OEM concaves, are what that needed the shims. These shims held the wires in place and prevented them from backing out when reversing the rotor. For the last decade, MAD concaves have been designed not to need shims. MAD concaves DO NOT need shims, provided the H frame in the combine is true and square… H frame being out of shape is a very rare incident
My New Holland Frame does not fit in the combine latches? What do I do?
If you are experiencing trouble fitting the New Holland frame in the combine latches, measure the length of the pin outside edge to the opposite outside pin edge. If this length measures 27 1/8”, the frame should fit. If it measures longer than this, you will need to grind the edge down of the pin. It helps to grind a specific side. Stay in straight line with the frame and take about 1/8 to 1/4″ of that side of the pin and it will clear to fit in.
What happens when you use filler plates in your combine?
When using filler plates, you allow the materials to stay within the concaves for longer than it needs to be, which then causes over-threshing, and consequently yield loss.
Does BranValt require filler plates for its MAD concaves?
BranValt MAD Concaves do not require any filler plates. At BranValt, the words “filler plates” are considered swear words.
Does BranValt build concaves for conventional combines?
No, BranValt does not currently make MAD concaves for conventional combines.
What New Holland concave inserts would work best for sunflowers?
For New Holland, when harvesting sunflowers, we would recommend using 4 Smooth Slotted concave inserts along with the 500 extension. Also, you would need to block off the back discharge.
Are MAD Concaves compatible with CX series New Holland?
No, Mad Concaves are compatible with the following New Holland combines :
- CR 7090
- CR 8090
- CR 9070
- CR 9080
- CR 9090
- CR 8.80
- CR 8.90
- CR 9.80
- CR 9.90
- CR 10.90
