Harvest starts at your combine’s header. It’s also where you can begin to reduce grain losses and increase harvest efficiency. As you prep your combine for fall, consider upgrading to the latest header technology.
Grain left in the field hurts your bottom line. That’s why it’s always wise to check grain losses at the start of each harvest season. University of Georgia Extension offers a handy guide for measuring losses in various crops.1 [Tweet “Consider upgrading to the latest header technology. Via @Case_IH #BeReady”]Specialists at the University of Georgia estimate harvest losses can run as high as 10 percent, noting that 2 percent to 4 percent is a good target range. University of Missouri experts peg harvest losses at the grain header alone as high as 4 percent of total crop yield and recommend aiming for a header loss of no more than 1 percent.2
If you’re running an older-model grain header, you likely don’t need to wait until harvest to know you’re losing too much grain at the header. You also likely realize that new parts, proper adjustment and operating at the correct speed still leave you with more grain losses than you prefer. If you’re ready for a new header, consider the latest in harvest technology from Case IH:
Header advancements from Case IH include features that help you pick more corn at higher ground speeds, even in adverse conditions. New technology maximizes productivity and grain savings while simplifying service and maintenance so you can harvest more acres per day. These features help make the new Case IH corn heads so productive:
- Heavy-duty drives are designed for high-speed harvest and high-yielding corn hybrids.
- Improved gathering chain and stalk roll speeds help save more grain.
- Patented Case IH CornLouvers™ help ensure loose kernels make it into the combine.
- The flip-up tall corn attachment — available on 4200 and 4400 series headers — prevents loss of corn ears over the ends of the header.
- New poly dividers are more durable and provide quick, easy access for cleaning and fast conversion from field to road.
- All 4400 series headers are compatible with Axial-Flow® 10, 20, 230, 240 and 88, 130, 140 series combines.
- 4200 series headers are compatible with legacy combine feeders.
Grain Heads
Whether you prefer to harvest soybeans with a draper head or a flex auger head, Case IH Agronomic Design℠ helps you put more beans in the tank. Case IH draper heads feature superior crop feeding and less susceptibility to crop moisture. Flex auger heads enhance crop flow and improve feeding into the combine, resulting in smooth crop flow and reduced wear.
The 3152 draper head offers cutting widths from 25 feet to 45 feet and variable draper speeds for unmatched harvest performance. The 3162 TerraFlex™ draper head with its CentraCut knife drive, flexible cutterbar and a wide range of cutting widths delivers maximum productivity and performance. The new 3020 series flex auger heads provide the latest in flex head technology in widths ranging from 20 feet to 35 feet.
For a range of crops in a wide variety of conditions, the 2030 rigid auger head is a strong choice. Designed to handle down crop, tangled crop, uneven terrain and muddy conditions, the header offers cutting widths from 17 feet to 30 feet.
Although it’s hard to anticipate what challenges the upcoming harvest season might bring, you know you can’t afford to leave bushels behind. Talk with your Case IH dealer about how the latest header technology can help you harvest more grain across more acres every time.
Resources:
- Sumner PE, Williams J. Measuring Field Losses from Grain Combines (B 973). University of Georgia Extension website. http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.cfm?number=B973. Accessed August 11, 2015.
- Shay C, Ellis LV, Hires W. Measuring and Reducing Corn Harvesting Losses. University of Missouri Extension website. http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G1290. Accessed August 11, 2015.
