Viewing a thread - Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions? (2024)

Jacob4T

Posted 7/11/2022 11:02 (#9744363) Subject: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Oskaloosa, IA (South East Iowa)

Hey all, done some research but still want some more input. Looking at 6 row corn heads and got some different options. Going on a 5140 Case.

Found some Drago series 2 heads for roughly $30,000 with 4000-5000 acres. Found a GT with 1800 acres with single chop for $58,000.

My dad wants to look at Case IH 4406. Used is roughly $35,000-$45,000. Or can buy a hold over brand new for $59,000.

This is a head we will likely have for the next 10+ years.

Is it worth the money for a GT over series 2?

Drago over Case IH or vise versa?

Automatic deck plates vs hydraulic?

If it makes a difference, dealers for Drago and Case are less than 30 min drive.

ctnfarms

Posted 7/11/2022 11:15 (#9744383 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

NW IA

The drago series 2 is way better then the 4000 series case. But the GT has some features that are a nice upgrade from the series 2. I currently have a GT ordered that is supposed to be here before fall but who knows if that'll happen. I'd buy the GT first, series 2 second and wouldn't even consider the case, I hated ours. plumcreekfarm

Posted 7/11/2022 11:18 (#9744387 - in reply to #9744383) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

ECMS

This exactly.

MAXXFORCE

Posted 7/11/2022 12:02 (#9744437 - in reply to #9744387) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Northern IL

Having run a series 1 and GT if they cost few grand more than the Case its totally worth it you cant go wrong with the Dragos chris dds

Posted 7/11/2022 12:38 (#9744490 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

We have a GT 8 row...had a series I prior to that. The GT is worth the extra cost. It fixed the deficiencies from the series I/II, which were also good heads. We have 4 years on the GT and have had zero downtime and have had only minor off-season repairs/maintainence. The deck plate mechanism is better on the GT. I think that the pre-GT head could go lower to pick up down corn. I don't know if the deck plate suspension is worthwhile, but thats the only way that they sell them....and even if it gets full of frozen gunk, it is still as good as a conventional corn head.

I have no complaints about the GT and would buy another if I needed a cornhead tomorrow.

Edited by chris dds 7/12/2022 14:10

yieldpro69

Posted 7/11/2022 12:55 (#9744514 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Kossuth County, Iowa

I'd call and buy the GT and don't look back. Got a new one last year amazing head. ARCTIC

Posted 7/11/2022 12:56 (#9744515 - in reply to #9744490) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

NW Iowa

Lower than this: https://youtube.com/shorts/oH6L3dGVQeg?feature=share

Make sure you get the short end row augers if you get a Drago. Even when the augers aren't turning, they fill in that void where I witnessed lots of ears getting stripped off hanging off the end of the head.

yieldpro69

Posted 7/11/2022 13:04 (#9744529 - in reply to #9744515) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Kossuth County, Iowa

agreed just bought mine today marbro1

Posted 7/11/2022 13:11 (#9744539 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Southwest Iowa

Never ran a GT, but I'd get a 44xx over a Series 2. We run both models, but in 12 rows so there could be some differences between a 6 row series 2 and a 12 row series 2. But for one, on the 12 row, the cross auger is too small which does cause some bunching at the feeder house but that may not be a problem on a 6 row Big red (Ontario)

Posted 7/11/2022 13:18 (#9744548 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Neustadt

Never ran a drago , but i have a 4406 on a 2588 and absolutely love it coming from an old worn 1063 Jacob4T

Posted 7/11/2022 13:33 (#9744569 - in reply to #9744515) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Oskaloosa, IA (South East Iowa)

Is this a GT head? Red Blood

Posted 7/11/2022 14:19 (#9744650 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Eastern Nebraska

I don't know much about the Case head but we went to a GT head from an old IH 864 and thought we were in heaven. Absolutely love the corn head. Never have to worry about the deck plates. The only criticism of the GT head is that trash likes to build up below the shock absorbing deck plates but I made a wand out of brake line to blow it out. They should be cleaned every so often and especially if it gets rained on otherwise the deck plates turn into solid deck plates as far as shock absorbing. littlefox

Posted 7/11/2022 14:51 (#9744681 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

nc ia

I have had all the IH heads ever made. Always complained about shelling on the head. Went to the first GT made and was amazed at no shelling. I truly believe the GT is the first head that will pay for its self in saved corn instead of cost you. I also know mine has lasted twice as long as my IH heads did before repairs and still looks good. drunde

Posted 7/11/2022 15:36 (#9744727 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

sw wisconsin

We are very happy with are 4406 head. Prices must have really gone up in the last 12 months, we paid considerably less.

Never used a Drago head.

Baby Bull

Posted 7/11/2022 15:43 (#9744733 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: Either Drago head

NE Iowa

Hands down! ARCTIC

Posted 7/11/2022 15:47 (#9744735 - in reply to #9744569) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

NW Iowa

Yes. It's a 2019 Drago GT head Rainman_210

Posted 7/11/2022 18:00 (#9744894 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

SEWI

something to consider....we run a series2....love the head...it will windrow stalks to one side if it has a chopper which i do not like for strip tillage...also, calmer does not make a kit for a series2 head far as i know...as much as guys like the calmer kits, i wish this was something we could invest in this head....maybe someday

i alway thought that the gt double chop would be the ticket for the windrowing problem....on a series2, i feel the knives are set back to far vs say a harvestec....leaves a mediocre chop job imo...harvestec chops the stalk as it comes through the snap roller, drago chops after....top half of the head is definitey worth ownership

Edited by Rainman_210 7/11/2022 18:06

assault

Posted 7/11/2022 18:03 (#9744898 - in reply to #9744894) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Iowa

My buddy runs non chop Drago's over alot of acres and loves them. Not sure but they'd be the newest series head as the trade every couple years I think. johnny skeptical

Posted 7/11/2022 18:15 (#9744912 - in reply to #9744515) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

n.c.iowa

I’d go with the long augers, they are worth the extra expense.

Kornkurt

Posted 7/11/2022 18:28 (#9744933 - in reply to #9744363) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Central Iowa

I have never seen a Drago head on a John Deere combine. chevyman2995

Posted 7/11/2022 21:19 (#9745195 - in reply to #9744933) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

N.E. Iowa

There's at least 6 John Deeres running Drago in our area. johnny skeptical

Posted 7/11/2022 21:31 (#9745224 - in reply to #9745195) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

n.c.iowa

Edited by johnny skeptical 7/11/2022 21:32

kwk

Posted 7/12/2022 07:55 (#9745622 - in reply to #9744933) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Kornkurt,
would you mind clarifying your thought? I realize that Deere is overall considered a better head than Case, but there are definitely Deere machines running Drago. We have a Drago Series II sitting in the shed currently, waiting to be put on a Deere machine this fall. It was around the same money as similar year model Deere heads. chirpfarm

Posted 7/12/2022 08:08 (#9745647 - in reply to #9744650) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

South Central MN

Drago makes a special flat air wand to get under the deck plates. Our rep usually has them at their summer maintenence field day, and if you ask nice you can usually score one for free. If buying the gt from a Drago dealer ask them to throw in a wand. chirpfarm

Posted 7/12/2022 08:10 (#9745653 - in reply to #9744515) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

South Central MN

You were "fortunate" to pick that with stalks green and the roots anchored. We had some that we didn't realize how bad it was down and it had terrible roots. The deck plates would pull the entire Stalk out of the ground and just sit on the snouts.

Other than that one field we love our gt. The cushioned deck played are the real deal.

Jacob4T

Posted 7/12/2022 08:45 (#9745706 - in reply to #9744894) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Oskaloosa, IA (South East Iowa)

Would you recommend the series 2 or GT? Jacob4T

Posted 7/12/2022 08:49 (#9745711 - in reply to #9745653) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

Oskaloosa, IA (South East Iowa)

I wondered about quad suspension plates if they made a difference. Seemed like picking at 5mph they would always be down anyways? chirpfarm

Posted 7/12/2022 15:32 (#9746160 - in reply to #9745711) Subject: RE: Drago vs Case Corn Head Opinions?

South Central MN

We pick closer to 6.5. combine is too big for an 8 row head, but the dryer isn't.

I thought they were a gimmick too. Thought the same as you, they'd always be compressed. What I can say is that the kernel loss from the head is almost non existent compared to our previous lexion head. The visible butt shelling popping around in front of you on the head is way down. I don't know the voodoo behind it, but I'm a big believer.