MacDon combine headers?

[deleted user 837354]

There seems to be a fair few videos of these working in the UK on youtube and more reports on them in the press or on the web. Have they reworked the headers or updated them as I remember a few years back people saying they weren't robust enough for European use?

Just asking out of casual interest really.

 

[Tom H]

so far so good.

 

[Pilatus]

What are the advantages / disadvantages (apart from cost!!!!) of Macdon headers.
Does anyone have experience of using Macdon Header to pickup up flat to the floor combinable peas on Chakly Flint/ Cotswold Stony brash.? If so would you say you pick up more or less flint / stone with the Macdon or about the same amount.
Out of interest how much is list price of say a 30ft Macdon.

 

[Lewis821]

They are the best header I've used, class convio coming to try though. On laid stuff they are brilliant but I found even on standing crops the feed was so even that output was up compared to a standard auger feed header. No problems regarding build quality on the one I had. From memory I think the 35ft was around 90k

 

[Tom H]

No down side other than it cost more. Ones you have gone flexi draper header there is no going back.

 

[beardface]

Dogs and bollox come to mind!

 

[Pilatus]

Thanks for your replies, but I would still
like to know if they work well on flat to the ground combinable peas on very flinty soils or brash. As asked before do they pickup more , less, or about the same amount of flint/ stone as a conventional header. Many thanks.

 

[Matta]

Thanks for your replies, but I would still
like to know if they work well on flat to the ground combinable peas on very flinty soils or brash. As asked before do they pickup more , less, or about the same amount of flint/ stone as a conventional header. Many thanks.

They will without doubt pickup less stones than a conventional header in all situations. Until you’ve sat in a combine and watched one it’s quite hard to appreciate how different it is so I’d recommend getting a demo or going to see a demo. Purchase price is more but it will cut when others are stopped and it will salvage more Off the deck than a rigid. Not a brilliant OSR header in my experience, but capable. After 2 years I would struggle to muster the enthusiasm to drive a 40’ rigid on our flinty hills and valleys, a near neighbour has a 45’ rigid and I genuinely feel sorry for the operator! That said, big flat open fields with no stones just cutting standing wheat and rape then the benefit would be less.

 

[puntabrava]

Thanks for your replies, but I would still
like to know if they work well on flat to the ground combinable peas on very flinty soils or brash. As asked before do they pickup more , less, or about the same amount of flint/ stone as a conventional header. Many thanks.

I have a farmer who has one in its third season on Hampshire flint ground, they grew 300 acres of peas this year on some fields that have 10” long lumps of flint in them. They bought it because they were sick of the damage these flints were doing to the conventional header and combine internals. I will ask next week his thoughts for you.

 

[Pilatus]

I have a farmer who has one in its third season on Hampshire flint ground, they grew 300 acres of peas this year on some fields that have 10” long lumps of flint in them. They bought it because they were sick of the damage these flints were doing to the conventional header and combine internals. I will ask next week his thoughts for you.

That would be much appreciated,thanks.