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North East Kansas | I was wanting to see what everyones thoughts were that have been through this transition. We currently cut with a 12 row corn head. We thought going to a 16 row planter was the answer, and our thoughts were that eventually we would upgrade the corn head to a 16 row. I have been thinking about this problem particularly because our 16 row planter doesn't trail straight which will lead to extra losses in the corn head while we are cutting 12 rows currently. It may take many years to transition to a 16 row corn head. I am just wondering if we should have just went to a 24 row and planned on sticking with a 12 row corn head. I would take more efficiency at harvest over some at planting which is why I thought a 16 row corn head would be great. One of the problems with a 16 row corn head is that it makes you go to a larger combine just to handle it. We cut just fine with a class 7 combine with our 12 row corn head and 35 foot draper.
One reason we originally thought a 16 row would be better is because we thought there would be some huge advantages to the newer technology on the new precision equipped planters. We realize now that we fell for marketing. I now think an old hydraulic drive case planter will do just as good as any new one on the market which lends itself to buying a used 24 row planter. Has anyone been in this same situation and learned one way or the other. I have had some local farmers that originally told us to avoid the 16 row and go to 24 row planter, but they run 2, 12 row combines and I only want to run a single combine. | |
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24 row planter vs 16 row planter
