Release Date: May 2007
Producers Will Substantially Increase Combine Productivity with MacDon’s FD70.
MacDon’s new 40' (12.2 m) FD70 represents a true breakthrough in flex header technology. It combines MacDon’s advanced draper technology with a unique three-section flex frame that allows each section to independently follow ground contours in a balanced floating action, while at the same time offering comparable flex range to competitive sized flex auger headers.
When on level terrain the FlexDraper’s three sections can be easily locked together to form a rigid profile header, giving operators the best of both worlds. It also features a highly effective float system that employs coil springs to provide exceptional lateral and vertical flotation over rolling and uneven terrain. A key advantage of the 40' (12.2 m) FlexDraper’s unique flexing action is that it allows the header to maintain a consistently close relationship between the knife and the reel, even in maximum flex. This is in contrast to conventional flex headers where the flex action can prevent proper reel tine contact with the crop, which in turn can cause bunching and plugging. The result is the most flexible header yet with wing float and flex capabilities that greatly exceed the performance range of flexible cutterbars on conventional flex headers.
The FlexDraper’s productivity boost comes from the fact that it is a flex draper, rather than a flex auger. Because it is a draper, crop feeding into the combine’s feeder house is much smoother with much less bunching and plugging. This allows the combine’s threshing mechanism to operate much more efficiently, a difference that will allow most operators to increase their ground speed significantly compared to an equivalent sized flex auger head, or move up in header width.
Another important feature is MacDon’s auto header height control system (Float Optimizer), which allows the header to automatically adjust flotation to ground conditions, eliminating the need for the operator to make constant adjustments. Combine this with the reel’s ability to gently lift the crop like a comb before cutting, as well as MacDon’s patented C-shaped cutterbar (which allows cutting at ground level) and you have a header that cuts cleaner with less loss, especially in crop that is downed, lodged or tangled.
The FD70 is available for most current model combines (Class 6 up to Class 9). For producers requiring a smaller header, MacDon’s FlexDraper® is also available in 30' (9.1 m) and 35' (10.7 m) sizes.