At Hillco Technologies, we’re committed to building innovative equipment that delivers reliability, efficiency, and adaptability for diverse farming operations. Recently, we sat down with Denny Wilfong, owner and operator of Wilfong Farms in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, to hear his firsthand experience using the Hillco Header (SC1500).
Wilfong Farms is a self-sufficient seed farm producing vegetable seeds, grass seed, and a variety of grains. The farm handles its own seed cleaning, spraying, fertilizing, and operates a wide range of equipment to manage its diverse crops
Given this diversity, the farm requires equipment that can handle multiple crop types without compromising performance. That’s where Hillco’s Specialty Crop Header came in.
Denny explained that the SC1500 replaced older windrowers on his farm. The key advantage of the Hillco header is its adaptability to a wide range of crops. In the Willamette Valley, where Wilfong Farms operates, the ability to easily adjust for different seed and forage crops makes the SC1500 a valuable investment.
One of the biggest differentiators for Hillco, according to Denny, is after-sale support. He highlighted how Hillco’s team proactively provided software updates, maintenance checks, and on-call troubleshooting. Even when issues weren’t urgent, Hillco technicians made sure his equipment was up to date.
When questions did arise in the field, Wilfong described being able to get expert help within minutes, often resolving issues over the phone by adjusting rotor speeds, drum speeds, or ground speed
The Wilfong operation swaths 1,200 to 1,500 acres each year, with 12–14 different crops going through the SC 1500 annually. The header’s design makes it possible to handle both light crops and massive forage crops with minimal adjustment.
Key highlights include:
Now two years into using the Specialty Crop Header, Wilfong reports very little downtime. Bearing upgrades and design refinements have further improved the machine’s performance. Hillco’s commitment to continuous improvement ensures that even early adopters benefit from updates.
When asked what he would change, Denny suggested only minor improvements to the in-cab monitor placement. Otherwise, he says the header “works pretty good” and sees no need for major changes.
For Denny, the decision is clear:
The combination of adaptability, superior clean-out, and excellent support has made the Hillco SC1500 Specialty Crop Header a critical part of Wilfong Farms’ operation.
Conclusion? The Hillco Specialty Crop Header is more than just a piece of equipment—it’s a reliable partner for farms managing diverse crops. Farmers like Denny Wilfong trust Hillco for both the machine’s performance and the responsive service that backs it.
