Kaleb Ellis | The Hillco Advantage
For farmers operating on varied and steep terrain
harvesting efficiency and equipment reliability are crucial for maximizing productivity. Hillco Technologies’ Leveling Systems provide a solution that enhances performance and operator ease, allowing combines to handle slopes with confidence.
A Farmer’s Perspective: Kaleb Ellis on Leveling Systems
Kaleb Ellis, a farmer featured in Agri-View, has experience operating combines with leveling systems. Growing up in Wisconsin, Ellis has used Hillco Sidehill units installed at John Deere’s factory, which offer leveling capabilities up to 18%. However, his experience harvesting in Lapwai, ID, exposed him to Hillco’s Hillside Leveling Systems, operating at slopes reaching 46-50%.
“Our percentage is a lot less than you guys out there,” Ellis shared. “When I got out on a piece that was like 46, 50%, I wasn’t scared, I was like, this was a sweet adrenaline rush, like bring it on!”
Advanced Features that Make a Difference
Having operated both older Sidehill units and the latest Hillco-equipped 9250 Case IH combines, Ellis immediately noticed key upgrades that improved functionality:
- New Digital Interface: “That new style screen you guys have that has a little figure of the combine that tells you the percentage of slope you’re on was very cool.”
- Simplified Controls: “You didn’t have to flip over to manual to level either way. Just reach over and hit the toggle switch—it was super easy to run.”
- Four-Wheel Drive Activation: “That four-wheel drive pedal was super slick because when you’re not using it, your foot’s off it, so you don’t have to constantly remember to turn it on and off.”
- Safety Enhancements: “If you’re going down a hill, the alarm comes up saying your four-wheel drive is still engaged. There’s a lot of nifty features that helped me catch some possible troubles.”
Practical Benefits of a Hillco Leveling System
Ellis also shared some unexpected advantages of using the Hillco Leveling System beyond grain retention and combine performance:
- Auger Alignment: “Pulling up to a truck or a cart, it’s way nicer to just tilt that level over and get that auger right into the hopper.”
- Head Attachment Convenience: “If you leaned the Hillco over one way, it moved the hitch over enough to take the pressure off to pull the pin out.”
- Maintenance Ease: “When it came to greasing stuff, you could level over and get to a few grease zerks easier.”
The Hillco Commitment to Farmers
One of the biggest takeaways for Ellis was Hillco’s dedication to supporting farmers in the field. “Those guys make it a real party out there when they come out!” he said. “We always cuss and shake our heads at home saying, ‘Why didn’t the engineer think of this?’ But when I saw Hillco sending out your guys to run the combines for a couple of days and coming out and helping us fix stuff, I was like, ‘Yeah, this company gets it!’”
Ellis emphasized how much he appreciated Hillco’s hands-on approach. “I brag about you guys quite a bit to everybody around here that runs a Hillco. I tell them, ‘Those guys sent their engineers, their best top-dogs, out there to the field for us.’ So yeah, it was awesome.”
Would He Change Anything?
After running multiple leveling systems, Ellis sees no need for major changes to the Hillco platform. “I don’t know where you’d even start on a question like that. You can’t change something that works so good.”
His final take? “If it’s not broke, don’t try to fix it.”
Join the Farmers Who Trust Hillco
At Hillco Technologies, we are committed to helping farmers harvest smarter, not harder. Whether it’s increasing efficiency, improving ease of use, or enhancing safety, our leveling systems are designed to deliver results.
Are you ready to take your harvest to the next level? Contact us today to learn more about how Hillco Technologies’ Leveling Systems can improve your bottom line.
