Search Product
Search here for what you are looking for:
Search here for what you are looking for:
Milo (sorghum) and corn headers may appear similar, but each is designed around the crop’s unique physical characteristics. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right header for your operation and avoid unnecessary losses or equipment strain.
Stalk Rigidity and Head Structure: Milo stalks are generally thinner and more flexible than corn stalks, with a clustered seed head that can be higher up on the stalk. Corn headers use heavy‑duty snap rolls and deck plates spaced for larger ear diameters, while milo headers employ narrower deck‑plate gaps and gentler gathering chains to accommodate smaller heads.
Row Height Variation: Milo may exhibit greater plant height variability within a field. Headers for milo often include more pronounced floating row units or spring‑loaded suspensions to maintain consistent contact with stalks across uneven stands.
Snap Rolls vs. Cutterbar: Both header types often use snap rolls, but milo headers have lower snap‑roll speeds and smaller chevrons or flutes on the rolls to reduce shattering of the smaller seed heads. Corn headers typically run snap rolls faster and employ more aggressive paddles to handle heavier stalks.
Deck Plate Configuration: Milo headers will have deck plates set closer together (around 1/16″–1/8″ above average head thickness) to prevent the smaller clusters from slipping through undeveloped. Corn header plates usually start at 1/8″–3/16″ wider than the largest ear diameter and adjust from there.
Optimal Ground Speed: Because milo clusters are smaller and lighter, milo headers often operate best at slightly reduced ground speeds compared to corn headers. This slower pace helps ensure clean head capture without shattering. Corn headers may run 5–6 mph in ideal conditions, whereas milo headers often perform best at 3.5–5 mph.
Loss Indicators: Losses in milo harvesting often manifest as scattered bearded seed fragments behind the header, while corn losses appear as ears left on stalks or cracked cob pieces. Inspect residue patterns to confirm correct header‑type settings and adjust speed, snap‑roll clearance, or gathering‑chain tension accordingly.
Material Hardening: Corn headers experience higher mechanical loads and thus require thicker, harder steel at wear points. Milo headers may use lighter‑gauge steels but often reinforce the gathering‑chain paddles and divider points to resist abrasion from smaller stalks at higher RPM.
Service Intervals: Milo headers—due to lower stress levels—often have longer intervals between chain‑and‑knife replacements. Corn headers, handling heavier material, require more frequent inspection of snap rolls, deck plates, and gathering chains.
Interchangeable Configurations: Some manufacturers offer conversion kits that adapt corn headers for milo harvesting—replacing deck plates and snap‑roll sections. However, dedicated milo headers deliver more consistent performance and lower losses over time.
Multi‑Crop Headers: For operations rotating between corn and sorghum, consider headers with quick‑change deck‑plate systems, adjustable snap‑roll speed controls, and modular gathering‑chain paddles to avoid purchasing separate headers.
Conclusion
While corn and milo headers share core components, the nuanced differences in stalk strength, head size, and feeding mechanics necessitate distinct designs. Milo headers feature narrower plate settings, gentler gathering chains, and suspension systems tuned for flexible stalks, whereas corn headers use heavier‑duty parts and wider plate clearances. Selecting a header tailored to your crop reduces harvest losses, prolongs equipment life, and improves overall throughput. Shijiazhuang Tianren Agricultural Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. offers both dedicated and convertible header solutions to meet diverse cropping needs.