Installing Duck Foot Paddle Tines is one of the easiest ways to improve crop feeding across your header, but to unlock their full performance, reel settings matter. One question we often get is: Do I need to adjust my reel pitch after installing the paddles? The short answer? Yes, and here’s why.
What Happens Without the Right Reel Pitch?
If you leave the reel pitch too aggressive after installing your tines, the paddles can end up doing more harm than good. Instead of helping crop flow smoothly into the header, they’ll start flipping and throwing material up and over the header.
This defeats the purpose of even, controlled feeding. You’re not just risking crop loss, you’re also putting more stress on your combine’s systems as it tries to deal with unpredictable material flow.
Adjusting for Duck Foot Paddle Tines Performance
Once you’ve installed the tines, you’ll want to back off the reel pitch to a less aggressive position. That means setting the tines so they’re lifting and guiding the crop gently, not tossing it. This adjustment is quick, but it makes a big difference.
The paddles are designed to feed evenly across the header, especially in short or tough crops. But they can only work as intended when the reel isn’t overpowering them. A less aggressive pitch lets the paddles carry the crop across and into the auger or draper smoothly.
Reduce Header Loss, Improve Flow
With the right reel pitch, you’ll see immediate improvements: less crop bouncing, smoother feeding, and reduced header loss. It’s one of the key reasons full sets of Duck Foot Paddle Tines consistently outperform partial setups or unadjusted headers.
You’re also giving your combine a more consistent load, which can help you maintain speed and minimize plugging, especially in uneven or late-season conditions.
Take a Few Minutes & Save a Few Bushels
Adjusting reel pitch is a small step that delivers big returns. It takes just a few minutes to dial it in, and the result is more efficient harvesting and less stress on your machine, and you.
Already running Duck Foot Paddle Tines? Take another look at your reel pitch. Not running them yet? Now’s the time to get serious about your feeding system give us a call at (701) 355-5700 and we’ll make sure your set up for maximum harvests!