Combines hugger head deck plate mod

We've been doing this for many years, and you're correct -- a lot of shelling in the header will be eliminated and the square corners will snap ears sooner allowing you to harvest in higher moisture conditions. Usually, we'll use cold rolled square due to it's more readily availability, and then hardface it with tube stellite or stoody. Initial hardness is much greater as well. We still occasionally use stainless, however, and if you don't mind a recommendation I'd suggest using grade 304 -- it's fairly readily available, and though welding recommendation is for low hydrogen process (lH70 -- E7018),we have welded with almost all common types of welding processes. Usually GMAW (ER70S -- lincoln l-50 or equivalent) but have also used MAW (E6011 stick, etc.)in hard to reach places. This grade doesn't require post heating, and is also work-hardening -- as it ages and material beats against it in operation, wear resistance increases. Sorry this is so long -- hope it helps.

Thank you for the welding lesson.

We did it. Sure doesn't seem to hurt anything but I'm not so sure it shells less-hard to tell when doing all the rows at once. We did two rows of chromed blades vs. the rest as standard. Will be interesting to watch wear.

Didn't mean to get up a head of steam -- just didn't know how to do it any shorter.

Thanks for the replies.