360Pro Rotary Harvesting Unit | John Deere

23 Jun.,2025

 

360Pro Rotary Harvesting Unit | John Deere

The saw blades of John Deere rotary crop headers cut quickly and thoroughly at a high speed of rotation. As the fast-turning blades cut the full width, crops can be harvested regardless of the row spacing. Thanks to this row-independent harvesting technology, the field can be worked from any side, which is particularly important for down crop.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

The fast-turning saw blades allow crops with a lot of weeds to be harvested easily. Besides maize, a wide range of crops such as sorghum, whole crop silage, oilseed, canola, pampas grass, and miscanthus can be harvested.

Key features:

  • Fast turning saw blades can cut in difficult harvesting conditions to give the operator increased uptime.
  • Headers can be used in various stemmed crops and there is no need for extra headers, which saves on the cost of operation.

After the fast-rotating blades cut the crop, the intake fingers push the plants into the gatherer drums that rotate in the same direction at low speeds. Every plant is pushed into the teeth of the gathering drum. The specially designed shape of the teeth ensures that both small and large plants are conveyed in a secure way.

The new and improved intake finger design allows for the crop conveyance to start deeper into the drum to ensure plants are more securely held prior to cutting, which in turns allows for a clean cut before being guided into the machine while maintaining control of the stalk.  Improving the intake area on the 400pro series headers allows for less cob and crop losses during difficult harvesting conditions.  The new intake drums with the new tooth design allows for better performance in down crops.

In the machine, the plants are taken off the back of the gatherer drum by scrapers. Depending on the width of the header, they are forwarded to the cross-feed drums or immediately fed into the angled feed drums in the middle of the machine.

To provide an increase in uptime and productivity the 400pro headers also feature a new-style gathering drum. This particular gathering drum allows for the top cover to be removed separately and quickly provide better access to the intake fingers for increased serviceability and easier access for cleaning.

Even feeding of the harvested crop bundled lengthwise to the chopper unit of the self-propelled forage harvester (SPFH) is crucial for an even cut. Only even, lengthwise feeding allows for the full use of the power installed on the SPFH.

Benefits:

  • Bundling of lengthwise stalks is the basis for perfect cutting.

Two angled feed drums push the crop toward the feed rolls of the SPFH. The size of the feed drums depends on the size of the header; the six-row headers feature three rings that push the crop in the feed rolls of the SPFH. The eight-, 10-, and 12-row headers feature a lower version with only two rings.

In model year , the middle section will feature a new and longer front cover that protects cobs from being damaged by the gathering drums. In addition, this cover can be removed to assist in harvesting down crops.

Benefits:

  • The feeding drum size, depending on the working width, provides the necessary space to use 10- and 12-row headers, which allows for the operator to feed larger crop bundles to the SPFH.

With the most recent generation of the small drum headers, leading performance is proven. Due to feed availability pressures, the variety of plants and harvesting conditions becomes more and more challenging. The investment into a special head is expensive. The John Deere small-drum header is a good alternative to harvest a variety of crops.

The most challenging is the optimization of the crop flow in the header. An open construction was the solution. All drum scrapers or holders of divider points are positioned out of the crop flow. An accumulation or blocking of weeds and leaves will be avoided.

Benefits:

  • The open design ensures the header is self-cleaning for cleaner silage.
  • The open design is more reliable because dirt does not build up in the header.

Calmer Stalk Roll and Patented Corn Head Technology Explained

Calmer Technology Explained

why run calmer?

The Stalk Roll Perfected

Why Calmerize
your factory corn head?

Calmer BT Chopper® Stalk Rolls and Residue Management Kits help reduce a management pass across the field, improve planting operations, last longer than factory parts, and increase yields and profits!  100% satisfaction or your money back guaranteed!

 #1 john deere tested

#2 Endorsed on NewAgTalk.com

#3 University Proven

#4 Mechanical and Agronomic Advantages

#5 Award Winning

REASON # 1

John deere Tested

In , John Deere & Co. tested their stalk rolls against Calmer’s BT
Chopper® and another aftermarket stalk roll design.
Their tests supported what we’ve been saying all along about the benefits
that make our stalk roll kits the most effective on the market.

John Deere’s tests showed that Calmer BT Chopper® Stalk Rolls have
the lowest gearbox spreader load (stress on pinion shafts) than even
factory john deere stalk rolls.
SOURCE: HTTPS://VIMEO.COM/

MINIMAL HORSEPOWER INCREASE

Calmer Stalk Rolls take a minimal amount of additional horsepower
compared to standard Deere rolls and 22% less horsepower than the
360 Chainroll.

When comparing Calmer Stalk Rolls to rotary-bladed chopping corn
heads, our rolls use 25% less horsepower, are lower maintenance, are
less expensive, and leave stubble that is easier on tires.

SMALLEST RESIDUE SIZING

Calmer BT Chopper® Stalk Rolls cut, chop and shear cornstalks into the
smallest pieces in the industry for fast decomposition, easier planting,
and higher yields.

US = 1′′-2′′ PIECES

THEM = 6′′ + PIECES

REASON #2

Endored on
NewAGTALK.com

NewAgTalk.com continues to be a trusted medium where farmers can openly exchange ideas and reviews on ag products. Over the years, discussions surrounding Calmer products have attracted more than a million views. Below are some Calmer-related discussions important to farmers.

Xinwanda contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

  • Are Calmer Corn Head Products worth the money? Posted 12/3/
    • An overwhelming majority of respondents said yes 
  • Calmer Stalk Rolls vs. Geringhoff Rota Disc Posted 10/16/
    • An overwhelming majority of respondents preferred Calmer BT Choppers® over the Geringhoff Rota Disc
  • Satisfied with the longevity of Calmer BT Choppers®? Posted under “Calmer’s Kit” on 10/27/
    • An overwhelming majority of respondents were satisfied with the longevity of Calmer BT Choppers®
  • Overall satisfaction with Calmer products
    • An overwhelming majority of respondents were/are satisfied with Calmer Products

REASON #3

University Proven

A study from the University of Illinois’ Department of Crop Sciences found that Calmer BT Chopper® Stalk Rolls increase continuous corn yields by an average of 6 bushel per acre when compared to OEM stalk rolls.

Small pieces = faster breakdown

Image A) Standard stalk rolls fail to engage and process stalks properly, resulting in additional management passes and lower yields due to nutrients being immobilized on the soil surface. 

Image B) Calmer BT Chopper® Stalk rolls chop stalks into small pieces while simultaneously exposing the inner pith to recycle critical nutrients back into the soils faster, resulting in faster degradation rates and higher yields. 

higher yields:

The University of Illinois study showed the way Calmer BT Choppers® size cornstalks increased corn on corn yields be an average of 6 bushels per acre!

By exposing the inner pith of the stalk, the Phosphorus, Potassium, and Nitrogen applied to grow the crop are recycled back into the soil instead of remaining immobilized on the soil surface. 

Quicker emergence:

Seedling emergence in continuous corn was significantly delayed during the first 5 days of emergence (3-26% delay across harvest method; P= 0.007) compared to corn in rotation with soybean. Stand establishment was reduced in corn on corn vs. corn following soybean (94% vs. 97%, respectively) 

accelerated decomposition:

Allow the natural elements to work for you toward breaking down cornstalk residue. The study showed that cornstalks sized by Calmer BT Choppers® degraded 7% faster than residue managed by factory stalk rolls.  

Data compliments of Alison Vogel, Tryston Beyrer and Dr. Fred Below – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Reason #4

Mechanical and Agronomic Advantages

With Calmer Products, you’re getting more than just corn head parts, you’re getting a peace of mind that your residue management and corn head problems are solved for good during harvest.

Mechanical Advantages:

  • Smallest Residue Sizing
  • Performs in All Crop Conditions
  • 25% Less Hp Needed than with Chopping Heads
  • Superior Cornstalk Engagement
  • Better Ear Separation
  • Less Tire Wear
  • Less Butt Shelling
  • Allows for Slower Head Speeds
  • Lasts Longer than OEM Components
  • Easier on Gearboxes
  • Increased Ground Speeds

Agronomic Advantages

  • Faster Residue Decomposition
  • Easier Planting
  • Compatible with all Tillage Systems
  • Warmer Soils
  • Drier Soils
  • Increased Earthworm Populations
  • Reduced Nitrogen Penalty
  • Higher Yields
  • More Flowable in Heavy Rainfall Events
  • 100% Return On Investment

Reason #5

Award winning with a 100% Money Back Guarantee

Because our products are farmer invented, farmer tested and farmer proven, everything comes with a 100% Satisfaction or Your Money Back Guarantee. Having been voted to the No-Till Product of the Year list five times, farmers across North America continue to rely on our award-winning technology to solve their residue management and corn head problems. Because customer demand continues to grow each year, call early in the season to place your order and calculate the return on investment you’ll see from your acreage.

Voted to No-Till Product of the Year list 5 times

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the life expectancy of the BT Chopper®stalk rolls?

We generally see 500- row acres.  Simplifying that out for example, projected life expectancy for BT Choppers® on an 8-row corn head would be between 4,000 and 8,000 acres harvested in total. Life expectancy is maximized when following Calmer’s recommended corn head angle settings.

Q: Can I install the stalk rolls/kit myself?

Yes – definitely, and that increases the value of your investment. We publish the installation manuals and provide support for questions that may arise.

Q: Is there really an advantage to Calmer stripper plates?

  • Reduce trash intake by an average of 33%
  • Help increase harvesting speed
  • Reduce butt shelling problems

Q: What is the advantage of Calmer’s patented “open window” feeding chamber?

  • Allows stalks to be easily engaged and fed into rolls to be processed
  • Increases stalk roll life
  • Reduces low ear snap and bulldozing of stalks at the end rows

Q: Do I need to buy the entire kit to see positive results?

No. Installing Calmer BT Choppers® by themselves will yield positive results and increase your corn heads performance; however, installing Calmer’s entire upgrade kit will result in maximum performance.

Q: How much horsepower does it take to run Calmer BT Choppers®?

  • Approx. 1 more horsepower per row than OEM stalk rolls
  • 25% less horsepower needed than with chopping corn heads
  • Significantly lower spreader load than OEM stalk rolls, which means LESS STRESS ON YOUR GEAR BOXES

Q: Can I bale behind Calmer BT Choppers®?

  • Yes, cattle love baled BT Chopper® residue for bedding/roughage.

Click on a make/model below for full details on the technology offered to refine your corn head.

Deere

40-90 Series

600-700 Series

CASE-IH

Series

Series

Series

New Holland

96C | 98C
& 996 Series

98D Series

980CR Series

GERINGHOFF

NORTHSTAR Heads

AGCO

Gleaner Hugger
MF

DRAGO

SERIES 1,2 & GT

Are you interested in learning more about rotary corn headers? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!