Forage Headers Dismantled Machines

About Forage Headers

One of three main header subtypes (along with platform and row crop headers), forage headers help growers collect, chop, and optimally manage crops grown to be either conserved as silage or fed to livestock. Typically used with a dedicated forage harvester, different types of forage headers are available to match the vegetation you’re harvesting for forage. When harvesting grasses and other plants to be cut and dried into windrows, for example, farmers are likely to opt for a windrow forage header, while the edible parts of plants not harvested by a combine might be collected by a rotary forage header or a row crop forage header.

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New Holland 300 FP Grass Pickup Header

Rotary Forage Header Features

Typically ranging from 3 to 9 metres (10 to 30 feet) in width, rotary forage headers are offered in a variety of open designs meant to enhance performance and reliability. Often designed to collect and process crops no matter the row orientation, newer rotary forage headers feature technological innovations like electrically adjustable deck plates, rotary dividers, and angled transfer arms to further improve the row-independent design. For optimum header positioning, rotary forage headers often include automatic height adjustment controls that adjust the header to field contours.

Row Crop Forage Header Features

Sometimes lumped together with corn headers, row crop forage headers are built with long points, also sometimes referred to as “snouts” or “fingers,” that extend between the crop rows and help direct the crop into the header, gather it using belts or chains, and chop the plant. The built-in guides might also be used to improve crop flow when working with down crops or in wet conditions. The cut length and height of modern row crop headers are often configurable to suit other forage types, such as alfalfa, rye, oats, and sorghum. Row guidance features are often available to help operators steer the forage harvester in a line that increases harvest efficiency.

Windrow Forage Header Features

Recent windrow forage headers typically support high work rates with large-diameter augers and tine bars designed to smoothly channel the windrowed crops and avoid plugging the header. When working with bulky crops, adjustable performance features help maximise yields by reducing debris in the final product and to minimise grain loss. When working with lighter crops, or in better conditions, operators can speed up the belts and continually provide an even intake to pick up more acres in a day. Manufacturers of windrow forage headers often offer specific configurations to match the type of crops harvested. For example, one header might be configured to function better with grass seed than small grain, or perhaps to pick up hay.

Find The Right Forage Header

MarketBook has new and used forage headers of all types for sale from popular brands like CLAAS, Gehl, John Deere, Kemper, Krone, New Holland, and more.