Two leading farm machinery manufacturers launched new combine headers at the Cereals Event in Lincolnshire earlier this month.
First up, John Deere showcased its new 600X Series combine header, which will be available in limited quantities for this year’s harvest.
According to John Deere, the new design enables the header to be converted for use in different crops in less than four minutes.
“With no extra parts needed and an additional 800mm available for table adjustment, the 600X can help to significantly reduce header losses, especially in oilseed rape,” said John Deere.
“Features include integrated knives for oilseed rape and the availability of header settings on the in-cab touchscreen display, which can be automatically adjusted depending on the crop being harvested. The operator can enter both crop and stubble height into the display, after which an optimum suggested table length is recommended for maximum feeding and performance in all crops and varieties.”
Meanwhile, New Holland launched its new Dual Stream header concept, which it claims has up to 15% higher harvesting capacity, wile reducing fuel consumption by up to 15%.
The header uses a second bank of self-sharpening knives to reduce the quantity of straw brought into the combine, which according to New Holland means reduced fuel use and increased throughput.
The system has been designed to fit directly onto the firm’s Varifeed headers.
“The standard header cuts the upper section of the crop while the second bank of knives operate at normal stubble height, leaving a middle-section of ‘double stubble’ straw. This middle section is spread uniformly across the entire header width rather than entering the combine,” said New Holland.
“A two section roller behind the knives is used to allow the system to float and to accurately set the working height of the second knife. The entire unit can be hydraulically lifted, up to a maximum of 700mm, from the comfort of the cab to speed-up end of row turns.”
The header took a gold medal in the harvest machinery section of the International Machinery Manufacturer’s Awards at Cereals.
The main dealers in the north and north-east are HRN Tractors for John Deere machinery and Ravenhill for New Holland machinery.