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 Both of these companies are working to help farmers to increase
their crop yields. This means that combine headers are coming out in
greater sizes than before.
Geringhoff and MacDon were the two companies that came to show off
their new headers.
Geringhoff is a German company that deals primarily in corn headers.
Corn headers, as the name implies, are used for harvesting corn in
the fields.
MacDon is a Canada-based manufacturer who deals in a great variety
of parts and attachments, but specifically displayed their new
soybean header. Soybean headers, similar to corn headers, are used
when harvesting the namesake crop.
According to reports from Geringhoff, the new corn header, the
“Independence,” or the Horizon Elite XL, will be ready for the
market in 2015. The new header is being deemed a revolution in the
world of corn harvesting because of its design. According to
reports, the new header will be able to harvest corn regardless of
any set row spacing or equipment configuration.
In addition, a representative of Geringhoff announced at the August
demonstration that the company is working on building more large
headers for the American market. These larger headers, which would
measure between 35-foot and 50-foot in width, will go into
development over the next two years.
In previous years, Geringhoff won innovation awards for developing
headers that broke records in size. For example, in 2010, they
released the Northstar 2420 which folds from 41-foot down to
21-foot. According to the Geringhoff website,
“Today's larger class combines demand the
capacity that can only be offered by 12, 16, or 18 row headers. …The
Northstar Elite XL folding head is available in four rows, all the
way up to 18 row 20-inch or 18 row 22-inch models. If you want
something even bigger, our 24 row 20-inch Northstar Elite XL folding
head may be just the cornhead you're looking for.”
As for MacDon, they push for flexibility with their bean headers.
Bean fields are often less even than corn fields. As a result,
companies like MacDon build products that are more easily adjusted
in the field.
For example, the FD75 FlexDraper is a three-section header with a
split reel. This allows for the frame, cutter bar and the reel to
follow ground contours as the combine moves along. As a result, the
combine has an easier time picking up beans on any type of ground
surface, even terraces and ditches.
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According to the MacDon website, this is unique because the flexibility of the
header fills a gap in the machinery that would otherwise miss a section of the
crop as the combine moves through the field.
In addition to the new headers, information was provided at the August
demonstration concerning the oil that is used on the machines. For example,
according to the representative from Geringhoff their new header will still
utilize conventional motor oil as opposed to synthetic motor oil.
Ryan Curry, an employee of Central Illinois Agriculture (CIA), said that CIA
always tries to provide a fall sale around the same time as the demonstration.
Curry also said that the companies that come to this demonstration every year
typically provide information on filters, oil, and a variety of parts for those
who are just getting started.
“We do it for the customers, so they can get refreshed and updated. We want to
keep farmers knowledgeable of what’s going on,” said Curry.
David Opperman, a farmer in attendance at the demonstration, said he tries to
attend every year. “It’s an opportunity to learn how to get started with these
machines,” said Opperman. Opperman said farmers are always looking out for ways
to get the most productivity out of what can be a very expensive piece of
machinery. Opperman said the demonstrations are also a good place to pick up on
maintenance tricks that are “not in the manual.”
Farmers are always looking to find the most efficient and productive methods for
bringing in their crops. The companies making these combine headers have kept
that in mind, and so bigger and more efficient headers are coming out every
year.
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