Duck Foot Tines Work Well With Most Crops.
Duck Foot Tines improve harvest efficiency in both thin crops like soybeans and in larger, heavier crops such as cereals and pulses. By lifting and feeding crops more consistently, they save bushels that would otherwise be lost at the header.
Thin crops like soybeans
Soybeans can be some of the trickiest crops to handle at the header. In thin or short stands, plants often slip under or past standard tines, leaving pods behind. Even a few beans on the ground add up quickly in lost bushels. Duck Foot Paddle Tines are designed to scoop and guide those lighter plants, pulling them into the auger instead of letting them slip through.
That action translates directly into saved yield. Field use has shown that when Duck Foot is installed across the reel, bushel losses in thin soybeans can be cut down noticeably. A single bushel per acre saved is significant when multiplied across hundreds or thousands of acres. Instead of watching pods stay in the field, those beans go into the hopper where they belong.
Bigger crops like cereals and pulses
The benefits extend beyond soybeans. In heavier crops such as wheat, barley, peas, or lentils, material flow can overwhelm the header. Straight tines tend to push residue forward or let it bunch before the auger, causing slugging and uneven feeding. Duck Foot’s paddle shape breaks that pattern. By lifting and carrying more material per tine pass, it creates a steady feed into the combine.
The smoother flow reduces header loss in cereals, where loose kernels can easily bounce out if material stalls. In pulses, the cleaner pull helps protect fragile pods, keeping more grain intact and reducing the number of times an operator has to slow down to clear bunches. The result is not only more bushels harvested but also a more relaxed pace for the operator.
Consistent performance across conditions
Harvest conditions change quickly. Morning dew can make straw slick. Midday heat can dry soybeans to the point where pods shatter at the slightest touch. Duck Foot Paddle Tines help in both extremes by providing more consistent engagement. Their curved design sheds damp material and guides brittle plants with less shatter. This adaptability across conditions makes them an upgrade that pays back in more than one crop type and more than one set of conditions.
The Return in Running Duck Foot Tines
The return is straightforward. Even saving one bushel per acre in soybeans more than covers the investment in Duck Foot across a season. In larger crops, reducing header loss and avoiding downtime from slugging brings more grain to the truck and fewer headaches in the cab. The payback is measured in acres harvested faster, cleaner samples, and a better bottom line.
Improve Your Yield Starting With Your Draper Tines
Duck Foot Paddle Tines are not a single crop tool. They bring value in thin stands like soybeans by saving pods that would otherwise be missed. They also shine in heavier cereals and pulses, where they keep flow smooth and reduce header loss. Regardless of crop size, the consistent lift and feed mean more grain makes it into the combine and fewer bushels are left behind. Want to find our which model is right for your header? Give us a call at (855) 612-7006.