By Farm Progress Staff

Dion-Ag’s eight-row, row-independent rotary corn silage header pulled a lot of looks at New York Farm Show and National Farm Machinery Show. Green, red, blue, gray and yellow bars and row fingers were eye-catchers for farmers and dealers alike.

“It’s a prototype still under development,” stressed Mike Brown, sales manager for the Quebec, Canada, manufacturer. “The limited pre-production series will be released in North America in 2019 with full production of six- and eight-row folding headers scheduled for 2020. They’ll be priced $10,000 to $15,000 less than competitive products,” he added.

A closer look
While price may be a key feature, here are a few key engineering details of the low-profile prototype that Brown shared with Farm Progress:

• Small rotary drums, one per row, will provide greater versatility for corn and other forage grain crops.

• Rotors will be driven by 8-inch rubber belts to convey crops to the center harvester feedrolls.

• A combination of the small drums and triangular belt configuration optimize crop flow trajectory.

• That configuration minimizes the complexity of gear boxes and drive system, with all elements driven off a single transverse shaft.

• Six- and eight-row units hydraulically-fold for a 120-inch transport width.

• Headers will be designed to use universal adapter kits for Claas, John Deere, Krone and New Holland self-propelled harvesters.

• Spring and hydraulic lateral floatation systems are being developed as optional features.