This summer we traded off our John Deere 9760sts combine on a new 9770sts combine for the 2009 harvest season. We also traded in our eight row 893 corn head in on a new 612C non-stalk master corn head. However, we are not sure that was a wise decision given our limited ability to handle more grain from the harvester. What made us start to think about grain handling capacity was seeing our neighbors 9770sts combine and their twelve row head sitting idle at the end of the field waiting for semis at fields that were only five miles from the elevator. At the same time our eight row combine sat idle only at fields very long distances from our bins. Our normal field average corn yields in our area are 140 to 150 bushels an acre. However, this year we were blessed with yields ranging from 180 to 210 bushels per acre field averages. Just keeping the grain away from our eight row corn head is difficult with these high yields.
My question concerning farmers who have made the switch from eight to twelve rows recently is what percentage increase in harvesting capacity do you believe was achieved? Doing the simple math a twelve row head can take in 50% more grain per unit of time then an eight row traveling at the same forward speed. However, this is where my question comes into play. When going from an eight row to a twelve row with a 9770sts combine how much slower will the larger header force me to go? If I harvest 190 bpa corn now at 4.5 mph with an eight row head, will a twelve row slow me to 3.5 mph? Will it make me slower yet or will my forward speed not be affected?
190 bpa corn to a combine with an eight row head seems like 285 bpa to a twelve row machine assuming the same forward velocity.
130 bpa corn to a combine with an eight row head seems like 195 bpa to a twelve row machine assuming the same forward velocity.
With my current grain handling equipment I will be maxed out at below normal to normal yields if I go to a twelve row head assuming a 50% increase in corn intake. I do not want to waste the extra money on a twelve row head if I can not take the grain away from the combine fast enough.
Does a twelve row head slow down your harvesting velocity compared to an eight row? What percentage or how many miles per hour does it slow you down? If I knew how much it would slow me down I could recalculate how much grain intake I would have per unit of time. What is the realistic increase in crop intake for a twelve row vs. an eight row on a 9770sts? This would give me a better understanding of what grain handling capacity I would need to service this larger corn head. I might be better off sticking with an eight row corn head.
I would appreciate any input you can provide concerning my question.
My question concerning farmers who have made the switch from eight to twelve rows recently is what percentage increase in harvesting capacity do you believe was achieved? Doing the simple math a twelve row head can take in 50% more grain per unit of time then an eight row traveling at the same forward speed. However, this is where my question comes into play. When going from an eight row to a twelve row with a 9770sts combine how much slower will the larger header force me to go? If I harvest 190 bpa corn now at 4.5 mph with an eight row head, will a twelve row slow me to 3.5 mph? Will it make me slower yet or will my forward speed not be affected?
190 bpa corn to a combine with an eight row head seems like 285 bpa to a twelve row machine assuming the same forward velocity.
130 bpa corn to a combine with an eight row head seems like 195 bpa to a twelve row machine assuming the same forward velocity.
With my current grain handling equipment I will be maxed out at below normal to normal yields if I go to a twelve row head assuming a 50% increase in corn intake. I do not want to waste the extra money on a twelve row head if I can not take the grain away from the combine fast enough.
Does a twelve row head slow down your harvesting velocity compared to an eight row? What percentage or how many miles per hour does it slow you down? If I knew how much it would slow me down I could recalculate how much grain intake I would have per unit of time. What is the realistic increase in crop intake for a twelve row vs. an eight row on a 9770sts? This would give me a better understanding of what grain handling capacity I would need to service this larger corn head. I might be better off sticking with an eight row corn head.
I would appreciate any input you can provide concerning my question.