Combines drago or geringhof on STS

If you are referring to a 12 row chopping version of either brand of header, the 50 series STS feederhouse_header drive gearbox is not durable enough to operate either head and is probably the weakest link of the whole combine. Frequent failures and resulting updates plagued the life of this drive system, when operated agressively with a 12 row cornhead (no matter if the head was configured with fluted rolls or Deere's hybrid knife_fluted rolls). The new 60 series STS feederhouse drive gearbox has been augmented with a larger flywheel and gearing. However, I still remain skeptical of its performance capabilites. Therefore, if chopping is not a must, I would suggest a stock Deere head and save yourself the premiums charged for the Drago and Geringhoff non-chopping heads. If chopping is a must, then consider another brand of combine capable of driving 12 row chopping cornheads (e.g. lexion 470R or 480R or the CIH AFX 8010).

I would be running an 8 row head. Does all you said still applyIJ

An eight row chopping head should be fine on an STS (50 or 60 series),adequate power. However, if running a 50 series STS, still be cautious of the feederhouse drive gearbox. Depending on the conditions you run in, the combo of both conditions, if tough and agressive, and the 8 row chopper head will put an unusual amount of wear and tear on that drive system. Make sure there is adequate fluid in the gearbox. You might even consider using synthetic oil vs. conventional oil, providing that Deere allows synthetic oil to be used in this application.

There are several 12 30" row geringhoff's in the area. The HD 50 series deere reverser and double belt at the electric clutch, with oil cooler and the gearinghoff direct drive (in place of the variable speed sheaves) seem to last going 3.5 to 3.75 mph in 160 bu corn. Shreds good in standing corn. Having said that, it puts a very high stress on the whole drive system. How big of a tractor (HP) does it take to run a 12 row 30" shredderIJ

Next to the STS cleaning shoe not being large enough, the feederhouse drive gearbox has got to be my greatest point of contention with any STS, 50 or 60 series. The STS's usually have plenty of power, theshing and separating capacity, but when you come to grain loss over the shoe and that dumb feederhouse drive goin down, you will have to compromise. One of the main reasons I don't want to own an STS.

Would be interesting to know if anyone actually ever measured how much power one of those geringhof or drago headers realy uses per row unit. When JD finally came out to measure their corn head, it came to about 12-13hp per row unit, instead of 7hp, what the engineer had figured.

Reverser gearcases and feederhouse variable drive belts are very frequent problem areas on the STS. larger heads, faster harvest speeds and higher yields have definitely increased the loads and failure rates on these drives. Contour Master, with retracting and extending shafts and some driveline misalignment reduces the power effeciency slightly and also increases the axial loading on the bearings. To top off the problem, the JD design is the only combine that sends the power forward to the feederhouse reverser gearcase, through the shaft to the rightside sprocket and then takes about 10 -15 HP back up to drive the feederchain upper shaft. At least Case, NH, and Cat drive the upper feederhouse shaft and feederhouse chain on their way forward to the header. It's no wonder the 1978 8820 version of the JD feederhouse drive with 11" VS pulley doesn't last well on a 50 Series STS. Hopefully, JD will come out with a kit to upgrade the 60 Series size drive, if it is really better.

I have heard some people putting the 50 series HD reverser gearbox with the heavier gears and oil pump on 9600 combines, never seen it myself. Have seen some early 9650 changed over to the later HD drive and reverser with the internal oil pump and the little heavier gears. inside. I think the 9750's came with the HD set up. I also saw an advertisement from IowaIJIJIJ for a direct drive belt setup the replace not only the variable drive sheaves, but the reverser box as well. Only room for improvement!

you won`t believe what you say to change the brand if you go to 12 row with chopper! how slow will you go with the cat`s first gear or whatIJ I `m wondering wheater the cat`s put in a fourth cylinder carrying the federhouse and the headder because they have problems with the 9 row! And the third thing is how the 19 tons axle of the cat is able to carry a headder with the weight if more than 5500kg (Geringhoff)IJ

You have apparently had a bad experiance with Cat. last fall I was able to demo a 475R to put up against my 9750STS. I have been told by virtually everyone that the Cat is no good in corn. I told the dealer this. After his self-restrained laugh he said he would bring me out a 18 row head. I run a 12 row 20 roto-disc Geringhoff on my 9750. Cat dealer put on a 18 row 20 Geringhoff on the 475R. Both heads new. Cat run 30% faster ground speed, nothing out the back and a perfect tank sample. My Deere couldn't touch that Cat. I had the hired man running the Cat after awhile and I spent most my time in the Deere trying to stay out of the way! Geringhoff told me to put the direct drive on my Deere as the variable would not hold up. The dealer I purchased the head from said they had never changed them to direct drive and recommended I try the variable first. Company and dealer both recommended the Geringhoff oil cooler which is 3 times the capacity of the original Deere. Yes the head does take alot of power and gear boxes will run hot the harder you push them. Only time belt slipped was on start-up on cold mornings. (20F and lower) It was just momentary, a few seconds. Oh yeah I forgot to mention the Cat did handle the head just fine, maybe because it was a track machine it balenced outIJ