We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for the 2014 harvest season. In western Iowa, western Minnesota, South Dakota and southern North Dakota, the corn harvest is more than 50 percent complete, with yields of 160 to 190 bushels per acre. A good share of soybeans also have been harvested, with some of the best yields in Iowa at 60 or more bushels per acre.
This year, I have conducted many demonstrations with Axial-Flow® combines, the new 3162 TerraFlex™ draper heads and new 4400 and 4200 series corn heads.
Customers demoing the product often say: “Wow, your cab is quiet. Do you have the engine running wide open?” The new Axial-Flow cab is one of the largest and quietest cabs, with industry-leading glass and sight lines, allowing customers to see the entire header.
Just like with any new product, there has been a learning curve during demos for the 3162 TerraFlex draper head. However, customers have been impressed with the cut quality and how it can follow the ground contours, staying under the bottom pod layer. The operators and owners have offered many compliments, including, “Case IH really hit a home run with this new draper head.”
During the competitive demos for Axial-Flow combines, producers frequently comment about the quality of the sample in the tank. The Axial-Flow combines use a concentric rotor, which sits in the middle of the cage. This design allows for grain-on-grain threshing, which provides a great sample, instead of steel-on-grain threshing.
We have completed many demos with the new 4400 and 4200 series corn heads. Customers notice the kernel-saving technology and the reduction technology for material other than grain (MOG), which reduces loose leaves entering the combine. This aids in the separation efficiency and makes the Axial-Flow really shine.
As we approach the end of the harvest season, please be safe out there!