i have a 974 on a 2388 right now, and it definitely has to be 12 row ready. we run 36' drapers and didn't think that a 30' flex would be that much heavier, but it is. you need the third cylinder and i put about 1800 pounds of weight on the a** end to help balance it out. it will run without the weight but when in road gear and need to stop your a** end will come off the ground and give you a little scare, plus makes it hard to steer. the 974 is an excellent head we run it next to some of our 1020's and there is no comparison. we were seeing anywhere from a 10 to 15% increase in bushel compared to a 1020, and when your plants drops low pods it cuts alot lower with the cutter bar tilt. i might be selling mine i think i am jumping into a 8010, its an 05 in really good shape, i just put new bearings and one belt on it this fall.