Combines Wear rods on Hugger deck plates

Brian, We reworked a six row hugger this year before harvest and just finished a eight row hugger last week. With all the tinwork off,we took a torch and removed all of remaining rod except for the top 2-2 1_2".This is where the small stripper is at the back of the stripper plates so the rolls don't wrap.After removing rods with torch we ground remaining welds down and then we purchased 3_8 square stainless steel metal.This comes in 12ft. lengths.We cut the 3_8 square to length and then starting at the top of the stripper plate,we tacked it in place flush with the top side of stipper plate.Reason for this is we see a excessive amount of shelling when the ear comes down and hits the 3_8" round rod that protrudes above stripper plate.When you get to curvature of stripper plate,heat metal with a torch and form it to stripper plate.Then weld 3_8" stainless in place after you have it tacked where you want it.We used a wire welder to do this.After running in the field for one season,saw less shelling at stripper plates at higher ground speeds and virtually no visual wear on stainless that we could see.Time will tell to see how long they last.If time permits,I will try to get pictures to Tom l. Hyper Harvest II