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Sidehill Vs. Hillside

The simple answer to the question is, the Sidehill will compensate for 18% slope and the Hillside 27% but there are a few key differences that may sway a person to go with one over the other

No they are not. Read below to find out more details. 

Typically, geography is the biggest customer consideration to consider when looking to purchase either a Sidehill or Hillside kit.

Sidehill Vs. Hillside

Model year 2023 marks the 30th year of making combine leveling systems. One of the most common questions we still address is, “What is the difference between your Hillside and Sidehill Leveling Systems?” The simple answer to the question is, the Sidehill will compensate for 18% slope and the Hillside 27% but there are a few key differences that may sway a person to go with one over the other.

Tires and Wheels:

First off, if you were to purchase a Hillside leveling system for your combine, you would need to purchase a tire and wheel package. This is due to the Tire and Rim Association’s requirements for heavier duty tires and wheels when operating on severe slopes. The added tires and wheels are the largest price differentiating factor between the two models. Sidehill combines can vary a little in the tire options they choose to use. Many of them will use a larger, wider tire to provide more traction and float in wet conditions.

Post Install Dimensions:

There is a small height difference between the two leveling systems. Hillsides will normally sit a couple inches higher than the Sidehills and it varies a little bit based on which brand of combine that you have and what size tires you’re running. Namely, the John Deere combines will sit a little bit taller and wider than their Case IH counterparts. This is mainly due to the static front axle on the John Deere as well as a need for a drop axle that the CASE combines won’t need.


The two packages are mostly the same in weight with the Hillside combine coming in about 350 lbs heavier than its Sidehill counterpart. The Hillside and Sidehill leveling systems will add a total of around 3,950lbs and 3,600lbs respectively.


Drivelines are another differentiating factor. Due to the varying degrees of leveling capabilities, drivelines with higher angles of efficiency are required to compensate for the different degrees of leveling.


Typically, geography is the biggest customer consideration to consider when looking to purchase either a Sidehill or Hillside kit. In a lot of areas, you can get away with the Sidehill leveling system but when you get into steeper terrain a Hillside leveling system will provide the operator with more capabilities.

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Return on Investment Calculator

This calculator is designed to determine the return on investment for a Hillco leveling system equipped combine versus a non-leveling combine operating in sloping conditions.

Crop Type
Wheat       Corn and Soybean
Acreage Information

Crop Information

Enter your operation's statistics and estimates.
Wheat
Corn
Soybeans

Acreage / Slope Information

Estimate the percentage of total harvested acres that lay within the various slope ranges in your farming operation.
For all Wheat Acreage
See Slope reference chart
Percentage slope values must equal 100%
100%
Your Harvest Speeds and Machine Harvested Yield (MHY)

Non-Leveling Ground Speed in MPH

Enter the average harvesting speed for your non-leveling combine in the various slope ranges at the average yield entered in the Crop Information section above.

Slope Reference Graph
Wheat
Corn
Soy

Reduction in Machine Harvested Yield (bu/acre)

Estimate the reduction of Machine Harvested Yield (MHY) for each slope range if you were harvesting at the speed you entered for 0-3% slopes. (The calcultor will then project expected reductions in MHY for each slope range at your previously estimated ground speeds.)

You may opt to enter the test data which was determined by actual field testing by Hillco (based on 5 mph harvesting speed).

Reduction in MHY is used in these calculations rather than field loss. Reduction in MHY is a more accurate guage of combine harvesting efficiency because it can be determined by actually weighing the harvested yield rather than estimating the amount of yield lost to the ground.

Use test data or your own
Corn
Soy
Your Combine and Header Information
Enter your expected combine harvesting efficiency. Typically a combine operates at approximately 70% efficiency. If the Total Annual Separator Hours calculated below look too small you may want to decrease the combine efficiency. If the Total Annual Separator Hours calculated below look too large you may want to increase the combine efficiency.
Wheat head width in feet
Corn head width in feet
Flex header width in feet
Combine Field Efficiency (Typically 70%)
(Must enter value other than 0%)
Your Operational Costs
This total should include additional cost of benefits and taxes. If you wish to include the grain cart operator's cost add the hourly wage to the combine operator hourly labor costs.
Combine Operator Labor Cost (per hour, including taxes and benefits)
Combine Fuel Cost

If you wish to include added grain cart fuel add hourly grain cart fuel usage to the combine fuel usage.

Combine Fuel Consumption (Hourly - Typically 11-13 gph)

Cost per added separator hour usually runs approximately $180 per hour for new combines to $30 per hour for older used combines. If you don't want to consider the added benefit of lower separator hours enter $0.

Cost Per Separator Hour
(How much does your combine devalue for each added separator hour of use?)

Use example prices below or obtain a quote from your local dealership.

List price examples for leveling systems used on John Deere combines:
Leveling System Model 2955S for -- 9560-70 STS combine dual tire, w/ Hillco Leveler Installed = $42,960.00 List Price

Leveling System Model 2970S for -- 96-97-9860-70 STS combine,dual tire w/ Hillco Leveler Installed = $42,085.00 List Price

List price examples for leveling systems used on Case-IH combines:
Leveling System Model 2800 for -- 2577-88 combine, dual tire w/Hillco Leveler, Installed = $42,210.00 List Price


See examples or call your local dealership for a quote.
(On Leveling System Financing)

Enter the number of years (from 1 to 5, whole number) for the desired calculation period.

Market value at the end of 5 years regardless of the length of the calculation period.

Used in net present value calculation

Cash Flows (Totals for Calculation Period)
Positive Cash Flows
Labor Savings
0
Fuel and Lubcriation Savings
0
Increased Income from Machine Harvested Yield
0
Residual Value of Leveling System (At end of Calculation Period)
0
Increased Combine Value Due to Reduced Separator Hours
0
Total Positive Cash Flows
0
Negative Cash Flows
Leveling System Cost (Total Principle & Interest Payments)
-0
Remaining Principle Balance On 5 Year Note
-0
Leveling System Maintenance Cost (Annual 2% of Purchase Price)
-0
Total Negative Cash Flows
-0
Total Net Cash Flow (Positive - Negative)
0
Investment Analysis
Total Average Annual Separator Hours (without leveling system)
0
Total Average Annual Separator Hours (with leveling system)
0
Average Annual Separator Hour Savings
0
Total Separator Hour Savings as % of Total Separator Hours
0
Average Payback Period (in years)
The length of time it takes for an investment to recover its initial cost.
0
Total Net Present Value of Cash Flows
NPV compares the value of a dollar today to the value of that same dollar in the future, taking inflation and returns into account.
0
Internal Rate of Return
The internal rate of return (IRR) method allows you to consider the time value of money. It is the interest rate that is equivalent to the dollar returns you expect from your project. Once you know the rate, you can compare it to the rates you could earn by investing your money in other projects or investments. Usually a business owner will insist that in order to be acceptable, a project must be expected to earn an IRR that is at least several percentage points higher than the cost of borrowing, to compensate the company for its risk, time, and trouble associated with the project.
0