John Deere 708FC Folding Corn Head

Hydraulic deck plates

Hydraulically adjustable deck plates allow the operator to adjust the deck plate opening while on the go in order to match changes in stalk or cob size as well as crop conditions.

Feature benefit:

• Improved separator performance through minimized material-other-than-grain (MOG) intake

• Reduce ear loss to maximize potential yield.

• Maximized potential yield through reduced ear loss

• Improving sample quality through minimized premature shelling and kennel damage

Functionality:

Hydraulic deck plate feature is controlled on the go from the cab by the operator with the multifunction control handle.

Deck plate spacing

The deck plate spacing indicator is displayed on the corner-post display and on the Gen 4 display on the armrest.

Deck plate resume is also featured with hydraulically-adjustable deck plates. Three deck plate positions can be programmed for varying crop conditions using the resume feature.

StalkMaster row-unit

The StalkMaster corn head chopping system allows operators to size and chop corn stalks while harvesting, eliminating second-pass operations and saving time. StalkMaster is available on 706C, 708C, 708FC, 712C, 712FC, 716C, and the 718C Corn Heads.

Feature benefit:

• Uniform sizing of corn stalks to speed decomposition and provide for soil protection from wind and water.

• Eliminates the need for the second-pass operation to size stalk residue, saving time and expense.

• Agronomic needs of individuals matched easily because the StalkMaster can be equipped with either intermeshing or opposed knife stalk rolls.

• Ultimate flexibility to chop or not chop when desired through a quick,no tools required disconnect feature

Functionality

StalkMaster chopping blades

Each StalkMaster row-unit gearcase is equipped with two heat-treated and wear-coated rotating blades positioned below the stalk rolls. As stalks are pulled through the rolls stalks are cut to size and distributed evenly throughout the row. If the blades encounter an obstruction they will swing backward avoiding damage and interruption to harvest.  Blades can be reversed to extend their useable wear life.

StalkMaster chopping disconnect feature

The gearcase on the StalkMaster row-units feature a no tools needed disconnect. Each row has a convenient shifting lever on the right side of the gearcase to turn the function on or off in a matter of minutes.

StalkMaster gearcase

A heavy-duty slip-clutch design protects both the row-unit gearcase and the StalkMaster lower chopping unit gearcase. If the clutch slips, the operator will know immediately.

712C right-hand side and drive shaft

Enclosed chain cases drive the gathering chains and stalk rolls for each row to provide robust durability and uninterrupted harvesting. Heavy-duty bearings mounted in machined castings along with O-ring seals increase life and improve serviceability.

Rubberized curtains

Steel-protective shield

StalkMaster chopping heads feature side- and rear-mounted rubberized curtains to optimize chopped crop residue distribution.  Also, the right-hand side of the head has an additional shield for protection from protruding blades.

Larger sprockets and chain

Continuous-loop American National Standards Institute (ANSI) #100 chain allows for higher loads and longer life by eliminating all connector links and half links. The large-diameter sprockets along with large 38-mm (1.50-in.) transverse hex back shaft and row-unit shafts provide improved sprocket and chain life.

Telescoping drive shaft

Telescoping drive shafts mount to the splined feederhouse back shafts on all 50, 60, 70, W-, T-, C-, and S-Series Combines.

The coupler features an 8-degree index, allowing the operator to match the drive shaft splines without rotating the platform feederhouse.

Telescoping drive shafts:

• Feature fast, no-tools coupler
• Can be retrofitted to earlier 90 Series and 40 Series Corn Heads

708FC Folding Corn Head

Each of the outer two rows of the 708FC fold hydraulically from the cab to allow for narrow transport width during road transport between fields or for storage.

Feature benefit:

• Reduced cost of operation as the 708FC eliminates the need for header transport trailer

• Reduces non-productive harvesting time used to mount header to a transport trailer and reattach it to the combine at the next field.

Theory of Operation:

Folding cylinders on 712FC shown

Two large, durable-frame folding cylinders provide smooth hydraulic force to move the corn head wings from the working position or field position to the transport position.

Gen 4 display

The control of the 708FC folding function is integrated into the operator cab of S-Series Combines. Operators can fold the 708FC quickly and easily from the Gen 4 display screen without leaving the cab.

700C row-unit

The intermeshing knife stalk rolls are the best equipment when the typical harvesting condition is wet corn and using the StalkMaster™ stalk chopping option.

Feature benefit:

• Majority of stalk material will be sized at 15.2 cm (6 in.) or longer to provide soil protection from wind and water.
• Designed to harvest with low power consumption for high performance and low fuel consumption.

They are manufactured of highly durable material with an added wear coating for increased wear life.

Functionality

Intermeshing stalk rolls

Intermeshing knife stalk rolls consist of six full-length blades that contact the crop. The blades cut, crimp, and break the stalks as they are pulled down through the rolls. The full-length blades provide total crop contact for maximum chopping and cutting action from the front to back. Intermeshing knife stalk rolls are also available on StalkMaster™ corn heads. Rolls are constructed of austempered ductile iron material with a flux fused dual coating in the front 7.6 cm (3 in.) of high-wear zone for longer life.

The stalk rolls turn at 735 rpm when back shaft speed is at 490 rpm. The tip speed compared to the gathering chain speed is optimized to reduce material-other-than-grain (MOG) intake and increase overall capacity while minimizing losses.

The single-piece cast-knife roll design provides excellent serviceability when replacement is required.

The 700C/FC Corn Heads with RowMax provide increased durability and longer wear life. The RowMax row-unit includes durability upgrades to gathering chains, gathering chain sprockets, chain guides, and stalk rolls. These improvements increase the number of acres covered by the head and extend its life for lower ownership cost.

Feature benefit:

• Increased wear life of row-unit gathering chains and sprockets by 50 percent due to solid alloy pin bushings and increased number of sprocket teeth
• Increased wear life of stalk rolls by 25 percent with an improved wear coating
• Maintain corn head performance longevity with a 33 percent increase in stalk roll material hardness

RowMax row-unit

Gathering chain

Functionality:

To extend the wear life of the corn head, the RowMax row-unit increases the number of sprocket teeth on gathering chains from six teeth to eight teeth. The gathering chain has an additional 12 links and an anti-bend back feature on the chain lug.  Gathering chain wear is reduced through a change from split bushing to solid alloy bushing for increased chain life.

Feelers signal to the combine to keep it on the row

AutoTrac RowSense is a solution that increases machine efficiency and reduces operator fatigue for corn growers. AutoTrac RowSense offers operators the same high levels of convenience and productivity experienced in other crops or with AutoTrac-equipped tractors and AutoTrac RowSense on self-propelled sprayers.

Feature benefit:

• Maintains harvesting efficiency in down crop and low-visibility (dusty) conditions.
• Increases the acre-per-hour performance potential and reduces grain loss.
• Enhances operator comfort and reduces operator stress.

Functionality:

StarFire™ position receiver picks up signal

700C row unit

The opposed knife stalk rolls are the best equipment option when typical corn harvesting conditions are dry and producers are using the StalkMaster™ stalk chopping option.

Feature benefit:

• Majority of stalk material will be sized at 304.8 mm (12 in.) or longer to provide soil protection from wind and water

• Designed to harvest with low power consumption for high performance and low fuel consumption

They are manufactured of highly durable material with an added wear coating for increased wear life.

Functionality

Opposed knife stalk roll

Rolls are designed with eight opposed, full-length blades that result in better stalk control, improved stalk processing, and reduced material-other-than-grain (MOG) intake. This eight-blade design improves function and reduces localized blade wear in the front of the rolls. Rolls are constructed of austempered ductile iron material with a flux-fused dual coating in the front and 7.6 cm (3 in.) of high-wear zone for longer life.

The stalk rolls turn at 1050 rpm when back shaft speed is at 700 rpm. The tip speed compared to the gathering chain speed is optimized to reduce MOG intake and increase overall capacity while minimizing losses.

The single-piece cast knife roll design provides excellent serviceability when replacement is required.