^{Brothers Ryan, Kent and Kyle Kohlhagen are pictured on their family farm with their Drago GT.}

From their first test drive to converting other brand loyalists, Ryan and Kent Kohlhagen know Drago is a powerful recommendation.

For many producers, brand loyalty plays a major role in the decision to purchase a new corn head. But when corn head performance directly impacts yield, harvest efficiency and long-term profitability, choosing the right head becomes more than a brand decision — it becomes a business decision.

Producers who do their research — who talk to their trusted neighbors and have watched competitive corn heads at work — learn that a Drago makes a lot of sense when it comes to value and return on investment.

“When we first looked into getting a Drago, we were skeptical,” says Ryan Kohlhagen, who farms 3,400 acres of row crop and hay with his brother, Kent, in Indiana. “We had a lot of questions and concerns. Eventually, through conversations and testimonials we decided to buy our first Drago.”

Does What They Say and More

“What they claimed and said it would do it has done for us and more,” Ryan says. “The automatic deck plates work beautifully in our soil type because the stalks and ears vary in size. An operator going through the field could not make adjustments that fast. It totally made sense for us and our operation to capture that corn.

“More kernels end up in the grain tank rather than on the ground by means of the deck plates because they are adjusting by themselves. And on our GT, they are also cushioning the ear from butt-shelling if it’s too dry. That’s been a great advantage compared to the brand we had in the past.”

In addition to automatic self-adjusting deck plates, the Drago GT is equipped with QuadSuspension™ deck plate shock absorbers. They work to significantly reduce the impact of ears as they are pulled down into the head by the knife rollers – reducing both butt shelling and ear bounce.

“What we like most is the kernel capture and the job it does efficiently in the field and what it’s designed to do as a corn head as far as economics, especially with lower-priced corn scenarios,” Ryan adds. “That obviously comes to the top for me.”

It’s Going to Last Longer

“What we’ve also learned about is the durability and longevity of the Drago head. Every component on the Drago head is built to last throughout the season,” says Ryan. “Our soil has a lot of sand and a high-wear factor on equipment, so that’s really paid off for us. With our previous brand, we had to replace the gathering chains every other year. On the Drago, I’ve never had to replace the gathering chains from wearing out. They just last.”

Drago gathering chains offer a significant advantage compared to off-brand replacement chains, with field tests showing a lifespan nearly double that of off-brand replacements. Designed with a 20%-40% thicker chrome coating than other brands, it’s no surprise growers see the benefits between harvest seasons.

It’s worth noting that Drago corn heads run best with Drago gathering chains, and using off-brand parts is not recommended for optimum corn head performance. Off-brand chains also wear faster on sprockets. When it comes to parts, it’s crucial to use Drago certified parts.

“Compared to other corn heads, the engineering that they’ve implemented on the GT – especially from a mechanical point of view – totally makes sense as far as its spiral-cut gears,” says Ryan. “It’s a direct-drive and it’s going to last longer. It’s like what is used in the automotive industry – it’s so much more efficient than using chains.

“The Drago not only captures your kernels, we found out it makes an easier job for your combine by bringing in less stalks, less trash and foreign material that your combine is having to manage. Our previous brand brought in a lot of trash — especially under wetter conditions — and the Drago does the job it’s designed to do.”

You Need to See a Drago

With their Drago GT working in the field, the Kohlhagens find themselves demonstrating the Drago corn head’s features to others. “There are many neighbors who have seen and mentioned the job it does for us and the overall performance of bringing the crop in,” says Kent.

“We show them how the deck plates are adjustable with the stalks and how the plates flex up and down to reduce butt shelling. The amount of trash it brings in – there’s virtually none. It’s all ears. It does an excellent job. We would never go anywhere else because of those key components.”

Kent adds, “When we swapped heads, it was a night-and-day difference. If a potential buyer has any questions, they need to demo one or ride with someone and see what it’s doing. Its performance in the field speaks for itself.”

To get an even closer look at what features help Drago growers capture more yield than other brands, take a look at our Case or John Deere corn head performance comparisons. From technology to maintenance, it pays to choose performance over brand loyalty.

Remember Your Goal

Ryan adds that when it comes to changing corn head brands, producers may be reluctant and skeptical – as they were, “but you have to get out to see what the Drago is doing, whether that’s talking to someone who has a Drago or operating one yourself,” he says. “You have to get past what the brand is you’re married to, no matter what that is.

“You need to remember what your goal is and what you’re trying to accomplish at the end of the day.”

For farmers committed to doing their research, there’s no substitute for hearing directly from other growers and watching real-world results in action. Explore more farmer testimonials on Drago’s corn head performance and discover the Drago difference for yourself.

In a row crop environment where margins are top-of-mind, Drago helps growers achieve greater ROI through thoughtful, innovative design built to last. Experience corn head performance that has advantages far beyond the field by finding a Drago dealer near you.