New header lineup unveiled by John Deere

John Deere has updated its entire header lineup for combines to include new HDR Rigid Cutterbar Drapers, RDF HydraFlex Drapers, CR and CF Corn Heads, and a BP15 Belt Pickup. Each is compatible with John Deere X Series and most S Series and T Series combines to optimize harvest capacity while minimizing grain loss in a wide range of crops and conditions.

HDR Rigid Cutterbar Drapers

If you're a small grains, oilseed, or soybean grower looking to maximize the combine's acres per hour across various crops, changing conditions, and uneven or rolling terrain all while capturing more grain, the HDR Rigid Cutterbar Drapers are the ideal solution. "The HDR has a new hinged frame that provides unmatched terrain-following capability with twice the wing range as a MacDon FD1 FlexDraper with uniform cut height when harvesting on curves or uneven terrain," says Matt Badding, harvesting product manager for John Deere.

An HDR Draper will help unlock more of the combine's harvesting capacity and capture more grain from the field, especially when harvesting down or lodged crops, according to Badding. "These easy-to-use drapers effectively pick up and sweep the down or lodged crop across the cutterbar to recover more crop thanks to a consistent distance between the reel fingers and cutterbar, improved reel range, and increased reel-drive motor torque," he says. "HDR Drapers can be ordered with optional John Deere Grain Saver Draper Belts. These belts can save farmers up to $1,240 (USD; $1,750 CAD^*) per year across 1,500 acres by reducing canola cutterbar loss up to 25% when compared with traditional, smooth draper belts."

Available in cutting widths from 35 feet to 50 feet, the HDR Drapers bring more crop into the combine with each pass, which increases the number of acres harvested per hour and per day. "Farmers can upgrade from our 45-foot-wide draper to the new 50-foot-wide draper and can harvest up to 33 acres more per day," Badding says.

RDF HydraFlex Drapers

Built on the field-proven cutting technology of the existing John Deere 700FD, while providing new features to reduce grain loss, the RDF HydraFlex Drapers are compatible with new X Series, S Series, and T Series Combines dating back to model year 2012. All feature a new Two-Speed Center Feed Section that lets operators slow down the feed drum and center feed belt by 20% compared with the 700FD. "This puts more grain in the tank by reducing free grain loss. Operators can easily go from low to high speed to save easy-shelling crops such as soybeans," Badding says. "RDF HydraFlex Drapers reduce grain loss and let operators harvest at faster speeds without sacrificing cut quality."

These drapers also include the John Deere 4-inch double-cut, dual-drive shaft HydraFlex Cutterbar. The knife system makes 1,980 cuts per minute to enable faster harvesting speeds. Two center feed belt options come standard to optimize the RDF HydraFlex Draper for multiple crops and conditions and minimize pod tossing in easy-shelling crops such as soybeans. There is also an optional cleated center belt to feed higher-volume crops like canola into the feed drum.

CR Rigid Corn Heads

John Deere CR Rigid Corn Heads help farmers who use X Series, S Series, and T Series combines to harvest more bushels per hour in high-yielding corn while minimizing grain loss and damage. "These heads feature a 19-inch cross auger and rolled auger floor to help improve grain handling," Badding says. "The higher torque of the large auger ensures the corn head is not the limiting factor so farmers can realize the true bushels-per-hour potential of the combine. The space between the auger flighting and rolled auger floor minimize the opportunity for ears to pinch or grind, reducing grain damage during harvest."

For harvesting leaning, down, or flat crop, the corn heads can be factory-equipped with Active End Fenders that pull more stalks into the head as the combine moves through the field. In order to reduce tire or track wear caused by standing cornstalks and preserve the trade-in value of the combine and other equipment in fields, corn heads also include Stalk Deflectors that press standing stalks to the ground fracturing them at the base as the head passes over.

While the CF Folding Corn Heads include all the features of CR Rigid Corn Heads, they also have a low-profile folding frame. "These heads are ideal for farmers who demand high productivity in the field and easy transport between fields during tight harvest windows," Badding says.

There are 12-, 16-, and 18-row CF Folding Corn Heads available for X Series combines and 12-row heads for S Series combines. Fold cycle time is less than 60 seconds when the corn head is connected to Deere S700 Combines and approximately 40 seconds with Deere X9 Combines. When moving between fields, operators will appreciate the 8-foot, 2-inch improvement in visibility over the 700FC and 14-foot, 4-inch visibility improvement over the Geringhoff Rota Disc.

"A John Deere CF Folding Corn Head reduces a farmer's operating costs by eliminating the need to purchase a header trailer to transport between fields," Badding says. "The folding corn head also eliminates the time needed to mount the header to a trailer and then reattach it to the combine at the next field. After harvest, the head requires less storage space in the shed."

BP15 Belt Pickup

In addition, John Deere is offering the BP15 Belt Pickup for small grains and oilseed growers who need to harvest more acres per hour with an X Series, S Series, or T Series combine. "These new belt pickups deliver a 20% faster feed rate than the Deere 615P to easily handle high-volume crops in tough conditions," Badding says. "Compared with the 615P, this new pickup has a wider feederhouse opening with adjustable feed auger flighting and tines that allow this belt-pickup platform to harvest more acres per hour. When used with an X9 Combine, a BP15 can handle 30 acres of wheat or 23 acres of canola windrows per hour."

The Belt Pickup features improved feed rate adjustability to handle large or bulky crops with a standard two-speed auger drive sprocket that delivers a 20% faster feed rate that's ideal for harvesting canola. A slower speed feed rate can be used for less bulky crops like cereals and grass seed. The factory-installed crop shield prevents grain from building up and laying on the feederhouse keeping grain loss to a minimum. "Operators will spend less time making adjustments and more time harvesting," Badding says. "For example, no tools are needed to adjust the height of the large, 20-inch gauge wheels for varying windrow conditions and crop types."

Each of the new drapers, corn heads, and the belt pickup come with a header control unit (HCU) that communicates seamlessly with the combine. The HCU saves head-specific factory calibration settings and collects and sends header-width information to the combine for accurate yield mapping. "The HCU also detects and reports header-specific diagnostic codes, plus tracks hours of use and maintenance intervals," Badding says. "With this information in hand, farmers can now protect their new header investment with a John Deere PowerGard Protection Plan extended warranty program."

John Deere dealers will start taking orders for the drapers, corn heads, and belt pickup later this summer. For more details, contact your local dealer or visit JohnDeere.com.

* Note: This figure is based on foreign exchange rate as of March 31, 2020, and assumption of .125 bushel savings of canola per acre.