FAQ’S
Do the deck plates ever stick?
No. By design, the rolled edge deck plates vibrate and rattle to self-clean. Unlike hydraulic deck plates that will stick and wear quickly to increase yield loss, Drago's self-cleaning long lasting deck plates assure grain savings.
Will weak stalks break off and not enter self-adjusting deck plates?
Hardly ever. The overlapping fingers on the extended gathering chains help pull through even the most diseased or dead stalks. The factory settings handle 90% of all corn situations. If stalk breakage does occur, deck plate settings and tension can be adjusted.
How do I know for sure that the automatic self-adjusting deck plates are working properly? What kind of problems can I expect with wear?
The best way to check is to slide a hammer handle into the plates and turn handle. Both plates should move. The deck plates and pistons are hardly ever a problem and replacement is a rarity. Maintenance neglect or over-greasing is about the only way for the self-adjusting deck plates to fail. Drago's deck plate wear is not a problem like it is with hydraulic deck plates as the spring-loaded pistons and self-cleaning design of the deck plates greatly reduces metal-to-metal contact.
What are the proper settings for the deck plates and how often do I need to adjust them?
The deck plates are set at the factory and fit 90% of all situations. The plates are set at 7/8” minimum in front, 1 – 1 1/8” in rear. We recommend that you DO NOT make any adjustments unless first checking with your dealer or Dragotec USA service personnel.
How much heavier is the Drago head? Will I need to modify my combine?
Specific weights for each sized head are on the Head Options/Spec Page of this web site. The Drago Corn Head is heavier as it is constructed with higher quality steel, heavier gearboxes, shafts, bearings, and gathering chains. Some combines will need to be modified. Your local Drago dealer can give you specific recommendations.
My neighbor had some fluff and feeding issues with his Drago. Is that a common problem?
No, it’s not common, but it can happen under the right variables. The harvest of 2007 was challenging for a lot of different combine-corn head marriages. Hybrid varieties, stalk quality, low moisture grain, ground speed and weather all played a major factor in creating some feeding and fluff issues, regardless of make and model of combine or head.
Drago’s tapered deck plates do reduce leaf stripping and fluffing but it can never be entirely eliminated.
I’ve got a Green combine. I want a Drago head, but the only dealer around here sells CIH and I don’t care to do business with him. What other options do I have?
You have several options: The first is to purchase the head from the closest Drago dealer. The second option is to purchase from the next closest Drago dealer. Next, in those specific situations where you have a preferred dealer that does not carry Drago, have the preferred dealer call the closest Drago dealer to work out a purchase/service financial arrangement. It is solely the decision of the Drago dealer to participate with non-Drago dealers in these situations. But professional dealers dedicated to customer satisfaction are likely to work together for your benefit.
What’s the resale value on a Drago?
It is impossible to give an exact amount or higher percentage of the Drago resale value over competitive heads. Demand for used Drago Corn Heads far exceeds supply, so the resale value has a history of exceeding all other competitive heads.
I know 3 farmers that own Drago’s. They all rave about the head. Is it really that good?
The incredible growth of the Drago Corn Head in just 6 short years gives testimony to how well the Drago performs. Our customers are our best salesmen. Like all salesmen, they can be a little over-zealous at times, but yes, the Drago really is that good.
