Each year I always start with the initial setting recommended by MF, and then adjust as necessary, as conditions always vary from year to year.

My reference is a single laminated MF sheet entitled PROFIT-BOOSTING ADJUSTMENTS FOR MASSEY-FERGUSON COMBINES, publication number 602 AG/5-75/10-5 & C602/570-5-2. It covers adjustments for small grain, soybeans and corn.

Here are the initial settings for small Grains (wheat/barely/oats) & Grain Sorghum:

Elevator, drum height: Bottom hole for light crops, raise one hole for heavy crops.

Concave: Install slotted concave filler bars in wide spaced concave to prevent underthrashing (The illustration shows these filler bars to have vertical bars between each of the wide spaced bars, so you have the equivalent of a narrow-spaced concave).

Concave Setting: front: 5/16" Rear: 1/8", grain Sorghum: Front 1/2" Rear: 1/8"

Cylinder Speed: 850 to 1000 r.p.m.,grain Soghum: 800 r.p.m.

Rear Beater: Use standard, plain vane-type blades.

Grain Pan Screen: Use solid front section as furnished with combine.

Triple Screen Shoe:

Top 1-1/8" screen set 3/8" to 9/16", grain Sorghum: 1/4"

Middle 13/16" screen set to 3/8", grain Sorghum: 1/4"

Bottom front 13/16" screen set to 9/32" (or 1/8" to 3/16" diameter round hole full length screen), and bottom rear 1-5/8" screen set to 9/16". grain Sorghum: 1/4" front, 1/2" rear

Fanning Mill: Adjust deflectors and air speed to keep chaff floating over full length of shoe - will need fan screens for Sorghum.

Returns Cylinder & Rethresher: Add or remove channel-type concave sections as required for complete threshing of tailings.