John Deere Limited has joined forces with MidWest Fabrication Pty Ltd (MWF), based in Dalby, Queensland, to increase the capacity and productivity of combine operations.

The MidWest CropHawk series Draper platforms are designed and manufactured for Australian conditions and available in 40 ft, 42 ft and 45 ft widths through the Australian John Deere dealer network. These wide centre-mounted platforms deliver high levels of performance, productivity, reliability and durability to match the threshing and separating capacity of the John Deere Bullet Rotor™.

Using the technological advantages of John Deere integrated AMS systems including the AutoTrac™ Assisted Steering System, Harvest Smart™ Feedrate Control System, Harvest Monitor™ and Harvest Doc™, operators can maximise harvesting productivity through efficient yield monitoring and mapping and optimised equipment performance.

“CropHawk” Series draper platforms from MWF offer the following key customer features:

• Overall balanced operating stability
• Completes the harvesting solution for controlled traffic farming
• Excellent operator crop visibility

• Maximise the productivity of John Deere STS combines
• Matching of the combine’s capacity to harvest width
• Widest draper platforms in the industry today

• Superior movement of the wide platform over contours, banks and other ground undulations
• “Hover Point” pivot design reduces platform stress on combine feeder house
• Positions the platform cutter bar closer to the feederhouse for improved cutterbar visibility by the operator
• Ground gauge wheels have dampened strut suspension system

• Outer draper belts are a wide 915 mm for handling big volumes of crop
• Positive draper belt drive from vulcanised rubber drive rolls, with “v” machined grove for draper belt tracking at all times
• Positive crop gathering performance in all crop types
• Even belt tensioning by single point draper belt adjuster for each individual belt

• Fast and efficient crop cutting capability, especially in heavy crops or at high ground speeds
• Driven by high capacity Cog-belt, made of tough Kevlar material
• Standard on all draper platforms available through John Deere Dealerships

• Platform durability and reliability of components
• Clean uncluttered design for easier servicing and cleaning between crops