Headers Keep Getting Bigger

Headers Keep Getting Bigger Bigger-than-ever combines can handle bigger-than-ever headers, and MacDon and Nardi are making them. MacDon, a Canadian company, recently introduced the multi-crop FD261, a 61-ft. wide FlexDraper with 50-in. deep drapers. Meanwhile, Italian header maker Nardi introduced the SFH1500 Sunstorm, a 51-ft. header, the largest yet for sunflowers. With an average cutting speed of nearly 4 mph, the Sunstorm can cover almost 25 acres per hour. “Our first header, the 963 30-ft., was the largest out there 40 years ago,” recalls Russ Henderson, MacDon. “When we developed the first 36-ft. FlexDraper, we could maintain the same weight but offer more capacity. The FD261 is almost double the size of the 36-ft. and has a 22% greater capacity than our 50-ft. FD250. We keep increasing header size to keep up with combine capabilities.” Henderson explains that planning for the FD261 began when engineers designed the FD250. “They ensured the center section, drive systems, and the structure connecting to the combine were strong enough to support an even wider header.” The FD261 maintains the MacDon signature balanced scale float, where the center section weight balances against each wing. The center section moves up and down as the wings move up and down. No cylinders or springs are needed, just linkage with low-friction pivots. Like the earlier MacDon 41-ft. header, the 61-ft. width is designed specifically for growers practicing controlled traffic. “We wanted to give our controlled traffic customers a few inches more, so if a crop is leaning a bit, they won’t miss a strip,” says Henderson. “For everyone else, it’s another foot of cutting width every round.” Nardi’s Sunstorm was introduced to the market this past year, following several years of development based on the earlier SFH1400. Its reel and auger had two lateral suspensions, which made it difficult to handle the larger amounts of biomass that come with cutting the sunflower as low as possible in the North American market. “In other markets like Europe, farmers try to only cut the heads and leave the stalk in the field to be managed by the stalk cutter-chopper mounted under the header,” notes Leonardo Nardi, Nardi Harvesting. “Normally, high biomass had never been a problem for our headers. However, the SFH1400 did have a great frame and a robust transmission.” The SFH1500 retains the frame and double transmission for the sickle but introduces a single central suspension for the auger and reel. Nardi also widened the header to 50 ft. It’s designed for annual use on nearly 2,500 acres with minimal maintenance, adds Nardi. “We made similar changes to the SFH1400,” he says. “As far as I know, the SFH1500 is the largest sunflower header available. With the right combine, you can travel at more than 8 mph, reducing the time needed to finish the harvest. You can enter the field at 15 to 20 degrees with respect to the rows and use the entire working width of the header.” When the new header was introduced to Europe and North America, a number went to General Implement Distributors (GID) in Salt Lake City, Utah. GID has distributed Nardi headers west of the Mississippi for the past 12 years. “They’re very good headers and perform really well,” says Mark Tibbitts, GID. “They’re the largest pan-style header on the market. Our customers like their simplicity and ease of maintenance, as well as not having to go with the row. Their headers function well and fit all makes and models of combines, just by changing adapters.” Tibbets notes that his customers also appreciate options like lifters for downed crops and Nardi’s brush kits. Their brush kits bridge between the pans to reduce the loss of sunflowers that would otherwise fall between them,” says Tibbitts. The Nardi SFH1500 costs $128,572. While the company has headers operating in Canada, it’s looking for a distributor there. FARM SHOW readers are encouraged to contact the company directly. The FD261 from MacDon is available throughout the U.S. and Canada. The suggested retail price is $224,871. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Nardi Harvesting, Viale dell’Industria 30/A 37040, Veronella (VR), Italy (ph +39 045 766 5570; info@nardi-harvesting.com; www.nardi-harvesting.com) or General Implement Distributors, 2955 W 2100 S, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119 (ph 800-767-0555; www.generalimp.com) or MacDon Industries, 680 Moray St., Winnipeg, Man. Canada R3J 3S3 (ph 204-885-5590; www.macdon.com) or MacDon, Inc., 10708 N. Pomona Ave., Kansas City, Mo. 64153 (ph 816-891-7313; www.macdon.com).

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