Types of Headers and What They’re Used For

Your work doesn’t stop once your new or used combine harvester arrives on the farm. One of the most critical next steps is selecting the right header attachment for your specific harvesting needs. Using the wrong header can lead to unnecessary setbacks during harvest—such as grain loss, reduced efficiency, and even lower crop quality. In turn, this can negatively impact your overall yield and profits—something every farmer aims to avoid.

Combine headers come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, each designed for specific crops and harvesting conditions. While manufacturers often categorize these headers clearly, navigating the options can still feel overwhelming—especially if you're new to the equipment. Fortunately, with the help of a reliable transport service (like Tractor Transport), moving your header from point A to point B is simple and stress-free.

To make your decision easier, we’ve outlined the most common types of combine headers and the crops they’re best suited for. Here’s a quick overview of the header types we’ll explore in more detail:

• Corn Headers

• Draper Headers

• Grain Headers

• Auger Headers

• Flex Headers

• Pick-Up Headers

• Sunflower Headers

Corn Headers

Corn headers are specifically engineered for harvesting row crops like corn. These headers feature cone-shaped dividers that guide the stalks into the machine, aligning neatly between the crop rows. Between the cones are gathering chains and knife rolls that grip and cut the stalks. While the stalks drop back onto the field, the corn ears are channeled into an auger, which moves the crop into the combine’s feeder house for processing.

Best suited for:

• Corn

• Row crops where stalks are not retained

• Some soybean varieties (in specific conditions)

Draper Headers

Draper headers get their name from the wide conveyor belts (or “drapers”) that move the crop evenly toward the center of the header. From there, the crop is smoothly fed into the combine for threshing and separation. This belt-driven system minimizes crop pinching, reduces slug feeding, and promotes more consistent flow—especially in high-volume or dense conditions. Unlike traditional auger headers, which use rigid stainless steel floors, draper headers offer a gentler, more efficient alternative for handling delicate or leafy crops.

Best suited for:

• Peas

• Beans

• Grains

• Wheat

Grain Headers

Also known as wheat headers or draper-style grain headers, these attachments use a canvas-style rolling platform to collect crops cut by the sickle bar. The crop is then smoothly fed into the combine for cleaning and separation, ensuring minimal loss and efficient handling.

Best suited for: Wheat, grains, peas, and beans.

Auger Headers

Often called tin fronts, auger headers are a more traditional header type. They feature a large horizontal auger that moves cut crop material from the cutter bar into the center of the header. From there, the crop is transferred into the feeder house of the combine harvester.

Best suited for: Grains and wheat.

Flex Headers

Flex headers are ideal for harvesting on uneven or rolling terrain. They use flexible cutter bars and protective guards that adapt to ground contours, reducing blade damage from rocks or debris. Many flex headers are now combined with draper-style platforms to improve crop flow and harvesting efficiency.

Best suited for: Fields with uneven ground, especially for crops like soybeans.

Pick-Up Headers

Pick-up headers are designed to handle windrowed crops—those pre-cut and laid in rows to dry. Equipped with long pickup tines, these headers lift the crop from the field and feed it onto belts, which then deliver it to the auger and into the combine. Their adaptability makes them one of the most versatile header types.

Best suited for: Peas, beans, lentils, grass, grains, and canola.

Sunflower Headers

As the name implies, sunflower headers are specialized for harvesting sunflowers. They often resemble corn headers but come equipped with sunflower trays on the cutter bar to catch seeds and heads effectively. A head snatcher mechanism helps pull sunflower heads quickly and cleanly into the machine, optimizing both speed and seed retention.

Best suited for: All sunflower varieties.