MacDon FlexDraper header improves contour following and manages stubble heights

But operating odd-sized headers over the last few seasons has also highlighted the challenges of contour following, and gave the opportunity to compare and contrast.

“There could be times when one end of the widest header could almost be above the crop, and the other end could be almost digging in,” he says. “Or the middle of the header skims over the heads.”

With field sizes ranging from 1ha to 100ha, Mr Merrill points out the farm does not have a flat field. Constant changes in topography can often mean wider headers become a compromise.

“Rolling fields make it very difficult to get all the crop with a wide header, and this leads to additional challenges with stubble heights and straw incorporation,” he says.

“Opening up field gateways to leave headers in place is one thing – but getting a 40ft header to pick up a laid crop on rolling land is an entirely different challenge.

Answer

“A smaller header is definitely an advantage on rolling ground, but it compromised output and was not suited to our CTF plans.”

The answer came in the guise of MacDon’s FD1 Series FlexDraper header, supplied by local dealer Collings Bros of Abbotsley, through its Kettering branch.

“We were upgrading from the older Lexion to a four-year old 9240 combine, and this gave us the option to choose a suitable header to fit our system,” says Mr Merrill.

“Farm owner Ross Collins and I really liked what the MacDon had to offer, with its FlexDraper header.”

The FD140 bought with the 9240 Axial Flow offers a 12.2m working width, lending itself to the farm’s CTF regime. But the header’s draper construction with two side belts and a central feed belt, means header flexibility gives a degree of contour following capability.

Bought with a small diameter upper cross auger and stabiliser wheels, the FD140 is also equipped with dual side knives to cope with bushy crops, such as OSR.

"We set the header up in some laid barley, and I thought there was no chance of getting the crop off the ground,” says Mr Merrill.

"It was flat. But the reel’s plastic fingers and the flexible approach meant the reel pulled the crop upwards and the knife got below. Job done, in any of our fields, and on any of our slopes.

“It does feed so much better too, but while output gains are perhaps negligible, the clear advantage comes from not leaving anything behind.”

In-cab controls include the ability to tweak the draper belt speeds, and he also has control of header tilt too.

“It is a really useful development, but once you have set the belt speeds for the crop and your forward speed, they rarely need touching,” he adds.

“But I would like to see the reel equipped with a reverse function.

“We have had a couple of incidents in oilseed rape, where the stalks can tangle and the overload clutch goes.

Breeze

“While you can reverse the central feed auger, you cannot reverse the reel, and it would be handy just to clear the table and start again.”

He says the upper cross auger is useful in oilseed rape, but is easily de-activated by a hydraulic tap, for cereals.

“Compared to the newer 9240 Axial Flow with its standard header, this one is a breeze,” says Mr Merrill.

“It has been something of a revelation, and it does get absolutely everything, and I would not be at all surprised if we choose another FD140 for the other combine in time for next year’s harvest.”