4 minute read
Simplicity of a MacDon
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Simplicity of a
Third generation farmer Mike Hoerbert of Greenview, Illinois has been farming and carrying on his family’s legacy since he was 17 years old. “It’s a lifestyle; it’s what I do,” says Mike.
Mike’s grandfather, Alfred Hoerbert, began farming in San Jose, and in 1962 his father, Edwin, moved to Greenview and started farming where Mike lives today. Mike was always involved in the operation growing up, but when his father died when Mike was only 17 years old, it was up to him to decide what to do with the farm.
At such a young age, he made the choice to continue what his father and grandfather worked so hard for and decided to keep farming and take over the operation. “The family farm meant enough to me that I knew I did not want to give it up,” says Mike.
Over the years, Mike has been fortunate enough to build the operation with the help of Kevin Killebrew. Kevin and Mike started their partnership about 20 years ago and have been able to farm and purchase equipment together through the years.
A few years ago, he and Kevin decided it was time to upgrade their standard platform to a MacDon draper head. They had heard good things about MacDon heads from fellow farmers in the community, so it was an easy transition that they were confident in making with the help of salesman John Coers.
They have since been running a FD135 draper head and have been impressed with the difference they have seen in efficiency and simplicity of the product. “Once it is set and going, it is pretty nice to run,” says Mike. “The main thing we like is the ability to flex and tip the cutter bar.”
He says this feature gives them peace of mind while in the field, as they no longer have to worry about the header height on the combine with this newfound ability to adjust, especially on some of their hilly ground in Menard county. Along with that, he now has the in-cab belt speed adjustment capability which has been helpful as well.
According to Mike, the way it feeds and cuts their soybeans has been a great improvement. The heads they ran prior had the tendency to clog up, causing them to lose time harvesting and in turn, lowering their productivity. With the MacDon, they have been more efficient than ever. “It cuts our harvest time down substantially,” says Mike. “We probably save 20 to 30 hours on the combine a year with the draper head.”
“The overall simplicity of it is the best feature,” says Mike. He and Kevin have had great luck with their draper head and are pleased with its ease of use. Mike is grateful to be able to make their operation more productive with new technology and have the opportunity to build up it up and continue what his family started many years ago.
“There is more to farming than just the production side of things,” says Mike. “I have done whatever I could to keep it going over the years. Sure, there are challenges, but I would not want to be doing anything else.”
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