Combines drapers in soybeans

We are custom cutters also. We cut beans in the Mississippi and louisana deltas. We tried a 36 ft. and a 30 ft. MacDon heads and they did not cut close enough to satisfy our customers. They will get all of the beans but leave the stubble a little taller than the flex heads, a real tire problem for the customers. So we went back to flex heads. Depends on your customers. You can get all the beans with the draper but the stubble will be a little taller. We did not think it should have been that big a deal as any soy bean stubble is hard on tires and this was not that much taller. However, the customer is always right so we sold the drapers. Just waiting until some of the locals get Deere drapers and use them down there then we will probably be able to use them and get rid of the flex. That would allow us to just own one head for all small grains and beans. I would give them a try and see what your customers think. Good luck. By the way, the MacDon is a little light and in constant use requires a lot of maintenance, at least they did in our experience. Just like many canadian products a good idea but tried to cut too many corners and built them too light.

I agree with gben. It mainly depends on how picky your customer is. We have cut many acres of soybeans with our MacDons and never heard a complain. I remember one field where the neighbour cut with a row head and our stubble were shorter. After being through about 16 MacDons I can say, that they are anything but built light. We ran them into foundations, oil well ankers, pulled them uspide down on the road (not on purpose of course) and a couple of hours later they have been back in the field along with the others, working just fine. Another plus is MacDon's service. After almost five years, I still say it is second to none. gben, let us know when you have tried the Deere draper in beans. I have not found anybody to this day who was successfull in that.

Dakota, How did they get upside down on the roadIJ I have heard of this happening and want to know why it happens.

On the road, the header is a tricycle. Maybe you remember from your early childhood days how tipsy a tricycle is. When the header gets pulled behind the combine and the combine pulls over into a ditch too far the header may tip. For that reason we already pull the header offset to the left. However it is only a matter of time until some operator pulls the combine into the left ditch on a dirt road and tips the header over that way. If they stop immediately we might get lucky and pull it back on its wheels with a chain. If they don't stop, the reel will be bent over and the draw bar pulls the front wheel bracket flat forward.

Have you ever had the back axle work its way front on the right side making the header pull crooked and running them in the ditch and flippingIJ

I have seen this happen in Montana. Combine was pulling one and went around the cornor to fast and flipped the header. Bent the reel and broke off oil cap.

I have heard of this happening. It trailed off in ditch and flipped over at 20 MPH and demolished header. The combine supposedly was going down a straight road and never left the road.

I had my Macdon in transport position sitting in my yard. One night a huge gust of wind came up and completely turned it upside down. I think their header transport system is a joke too.