New Holland Dual Stream header wins IMMA Gold award

Nigel Honeyman (left), New Holland’s Combine Product Specialist, and James Ashworth (right), New Holland’s Marketing Manager for UK and ROI, holding the IMMA Gold award
Nigel Honeyman (left), New Holland’s Combine Product Specialist, and James Ashworth (right), New Holland’s Marketing Manager for UK and ROI, holding the IMMA Gold award

New Holland’s innovative Dual Stream header, which offers increased harvesting capacity and reduced fuel consumption, took Gold in the harvest machinery section of the prestigious International Machinery Manufacturer’s Awards (IMMAs) at Cereals 2015.

Launched in 2014, the IMMAs recognise the best new farm equipment on the market and aim to reward companies who have produced machines that show innovation, effectiveness and value.

The Dual Stream system uses a second bank of self-sharpening knives to reduce the quantity of straw going through the combine resulting in easier threshing, reduced fuel use and increased throughput from a given header width.

The standard header cuts the upper section of the crop while the second bank of knives operate at normal stubble height, leaving a middle-section of ‘double stubble’ straw. This middle section is spread uniformly across the entire header width rather than entering the combine.

“Reduced material going in to the machine will reduce wear and tear,” says Nigel Honeyman, New Holland's Combine Product Specialist. “In addition, straw chopper power consumption will be reduced, while speed of harvesting can be increased.”

The system fits directly onto New Holland’s heavy duty Varifeed™ headers and is driven by a secondary power take-off mounted on a parallel linkage. The standard header cuts the upper section of the crop while the second bank of knives operate at normal stubble height, leaving a middle-section of ‘double stubble’ straw. This middle section is spread uniformly across the entire header width rather than entering the combine.

A two section roller behind the knives is used to allow the system to float and to accurately set the working height of the second knife. The entire unit can be hydraulically lifted, up to a maximum of 700mm, from the comfort of the cab to speed-up end of row turns.

The Dual Stream system, which can be retro-fitted to existing New Holland combine harvesters with heavy duty Varifeed headers as well as on new machines, will be on sale in the UK in time for the 2016 season. It will be available for 25ft to 41ft cut headers.

The judges of the IMMA awards, drawn from The Institution of Agricultural Engineers, Harper Adams University, NIAB, an award-winning contracting business and Farmers Weekly commented that: By using twin knives at different heights New Holland has come up with a radically different way of reducing the amount of straw going through the combine.”

“We are thrilled to win this prestigious award, which recognises New Holland innovation in practice,” said James Ashworth, New Holland's Marketing Manager for the UK and Ireland

“To enable farmers to see the new system in action, New Holland is arranging a demonstration tour around the UK for the Dual Stream between July and September. Details of the tour can be gained from New Holland dealers.”