Combines Can I use a rigid header as a swather

[Gordo]

If you are talking draper header, most manufacturers make them switchable from swathers to combines. I have seen combines used as swathers by dropping the short canvas to the feeder housing, but the clearance under the combine is poor for heavy crops. Some headers have a sliding table for double swathing. This would give you end delivery and eliminate clearance problems. As for an auger type header, I haven't seen one used for that puropose on a combine, my guess is that it could shell a lot of seed from the head if not swathed very green. If you already have the machine and header GO FOR IT!

 

[Panhandler]

Thanks. It is an auger header. Milk would be the latest I would swath so I don't think shatter will matter much.

 

[George]

If you are going to cut the oats before they are ripe a combine head will not cut them. The cutting system on a combine will not cut in tough conditions like a haybine does.