Combines Performance of Double Knife Drive on Case 2020 headerIJ

I have been running a double knife drive on a 30 ft. 973 NH header for 9 years. During this time I have never had a problem with anything. I redid the header a year ago and all I changed was the 1.5 inch guards and the hold downs. Still have the original knife backs and wear bars on the header. I also changed the dope in the gear boxes as well.

Thanks for the comments. I think the 3" stroke and 3" sections still makes good sense. As I listen to continued problems regarding the JD 4" stroke with 2" sickle sections, I think part of the problem may be caused by the increase from 120 cuts per 3" stroke to the 360 cuts per 4" stroke. It is no wonder that the front of these sickles are wearing out way to fast. The double knife drives definitely seems to help prevent knife back failures. For the next step, putting the double knife drive in the center of the header would clean up the drive lines, lighten up the end sheets, and counter balance the vibration. This should work good so we will keep developing it.