We used and now own the FD250 in Canola, Lentils, Wheat and Durum in 2020. We ran it beside a fd145. We have two machines and will be running the FD250 and a FD245 this year til I am able to get another FD250. I’ll go over review of my experience
Knife:
First impression when I saw header was why did they change knife. I didn’t think it was problem. But when we started lentils it was very evident why it was changed. The cut was much closer and cleaner even at higher speeds. The Fd2 would cut way better at 6mph then the Fd1 at 4mph. The reps were even surprised as they checked the Fd1 to see if knife speed was off but it wasn’t.
Increased frame flex
At first I was sceptical of being able to cut lentils with 50ft on our rolling land. But with the increased flex it did exceptionally well. The wider Center section makes it contour extremely well. Following better than the 45ft. Cutting as good if not better then the 40ft that we had previous.
Triple reel
Really impressed with triple reel. Being able to maintain a closer cutterbar relationship helps a lot especially in lentils. The vision without having bar in middle is real nice. Anyone that came for a ride always made the comment how nice that was. Seemed to feed nicer to. I think it will be a worthwhile investment even on 40ft header.
Feeding
Feeding issue at certain times has been fixed. Most think it was the drum but it wasn’t. The 50” Draper decks is the key. Problem was the grain being pushed to far back causing the drum to work twice as hard pulling material down and under drum. Now it falls on Center Draper and straight under auger. We were feeding in 4ft durum and not issue and also no issues in canola.
Contour Max
These are a must have. They work considerably better than the contour buddy’s on FD1. The hydraulic adjustability is awesome. Being permanently mounted and not having to remove is great. For us it would be impossible to run 50ft without them.
Transport
The transport is much improved. Much easier and quicker to use. Much easier to lift than the Fd1.
Machine Integration
The new machine integration is nice enabling us to use every function of the header out of our machine display on our 8700’s. No extra boxes or controls in cab.
Ease of Adjustment
The new way to set wing balance and adapter spring tension has been simplified. It’s takes the guesswork out of it.
This was a great experience with the people at macdon as we learned a lot. I can’t seem to think of any negatives on this header. Every one of my guys that ran it said when can we get another one for the other combine. This header is much improved and a must for the next generation large combines.
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Knife:
First impression when I saw header was why did they change knife. I didn’t think it was problem. But when we started lentils it was very evident why it was changed. The cut was much closer and cleaner even at higher speeds. The Fd2 would cut way better at 6mph then the Fd1 at 4mph. The reps were even surprised as they checked the Fd1 to see if knife speed was off but it wasn’t.
Increased frame flex
At first I was sceptical of being able to cut lentils with 50ft on our rolling land. But with the increased flex it did exceptionally well. The wider Center section makes it contour extremely well. Following better than the 45ft. Cutting as good if not better then the 40ft that we had previous.
Triple reel
Really impressed with triple reel. Being able to maintain a closer cutterbar relationship helps a lot especially in lentils. The vision without having bar in middle is real nice. Anyone that came for a ride always made the comment how nice that was. Seemed to feed nicer to. I think it will be a worthwhile investment even on 40ft header.
Feeding
Feeding issue at certain times has been fixed. Most think it was the drum but it wasn’t. The 50” Draper decks is the key. Problem was the grain being pushed to far back causing the drum to work twice as hard pulling material down and under drum. Now it falls on Center Draper and straight under auger. We were feeding in 4ft durum and not issue and also no issues in canola.
Contour Max
These are a must have. They work considerably better than the contour buddy’s on FD1. The hydraulic adjustability is awesome. Being permanently mounted and not having to remove is great. For us it would be impossible to run 50ft without them.
Transport
The transport is much improved. Much easier and quicker to use. Much easier to lift than the Fd1.
Machine Integration
The new machine integration is nice enabling us to use every function of the header out of our machine display on our 8700’s. No extra boxes or controls in cab.
Ease of Adjustment
The new way to set wing balance and adapter spring tension has been simplified. It’s takes the guesswork out of it.
This was a great experience with the people at macdon as we learned a lot. I can’t seem to think of any negatives on this header. Every one of my guys that ran it said when can we get another one for the other combine. This header is much improved and a must for the next generation large combines.
