30 foot header on 7720

[craignd]

Does a 30 foot header work on a 7720 or is it too heavy for the combine to support? I realize it is probably oversized for the capacity of the combine but couldn't a person just drive slower? The problem is I quite often have lodged wheat and have to go really slow when I am scraping the ground so capacity would not be an issue.

[r3020]

I would look for something smaller. In down wheat you have so much trash going through the combine you will a problem with separation no matter how slow you go. And if it is wet it makes the combine just that much heavier.

[Shaggy98]

Good advice 3020.  When I'm in downed crops (not just wheat) sometimes I wish my 30' head was 5 or 10 feet smaller.  Cutting directly off the ground brings virtually all the crop foliage as well as any remaining residue from preceding crops if you're in no-till production into your machine.  Really makes the rotor sing to you if you know what I mean.  This year my wheat wasn't down but it was only 15'-20" tall in places so I was forced to snip off the ground and run th remnants of the 2013 corn stover through my machine.  What a mess, but we made it.  I've included a picture of one of my fields, looks like it was cut with a swather instead of a combine, but 6" of harvest time moisture brought the grass to life.

[r3020]

And Shaggy, with that 7720 being a walker machine I just don't think there is any way it could separate the wheat from the trash, especially if there is any green stuff going in. The wheat just can't get down through it all.

[Shaggy98]

I agree 3020, you brought up some valid points.

[Pat in CMO]

One other thing that hasn't been mentioned, 30 ft is pretty wide for a combine that doesn't have lateral tilt. 20 ft is pushing your luck in my area without lateral tilt.  Patrick

[Shaggy98]

What is lateral tilt?

[mnvtfarm]

Back in the day when 88 & 7720's were brand new dad was doing the Wheat run thing. I cut alot of down wheat with a 7720. the most you want is 24' head, trust me. An 8820 would struggle with a 30'.

[Pat in CMO]

I believe JD calls it countour master.  patrick

[Shaggy98]

Contour master, still doesn't do anything for me.  Are you referring to a hillside machine?