Combines 03 model year 2388

For the guys that can rack up a lot of hours per year, it might be cheaper to run the machines longer and do significant amounts of maintenance themselvesIJ Do you think this machine is still reliableIJ If so, why trade itIJ If not, what work would you need to do to get it ready for next seasonIJ Seems like an 03 is new enough to have equal capacity and features of a new machine.

Al, What is it costing you per hour to trade. That is what I try to look at. Four years ago when I traded I was able to trade for about $37.00 per hour. Two yers ago when I traded it cost me double that. The difference was the machines four years ago had hours very similar to yours. Two years ago my machines had about 1350 engine hours and just over 1000 seperator hours. So the more hours you can put them, it will cost more to trade but your cost per hour should be less.

How many hours is to many would you keep this machine up to say 4000 engine hours I realize that if I were to keep it that long I would do major work on the combine but at what point does your metal wear through and things just are worn outIJ

You know your machine better than anyone. Are your comfortable taking it out on the custom harvest run knowing that a high houred machine is more likely to break down. Sometimes down time in our business can cost us much more than the cost of repairs. On the other hand a well maintained high houred machine can be very dependable and will cut just as much as a bran new one, and new ones are not immune to down time either. The thing that I found difficult on the high houred machines that I traded in four years ago was at what point do I stop repairing and replacing parts. Some parts you never know, will it run another 500 hours or will it last just five hours. One thing good Al, with that many hours on a two year old machine, you know you have kept it pretty busy. Good luck!!

The fact is we have kept it busy and that is a good thing. I hope to meet you next year at the Case breakfast in Frederick. We are still trying to harvest but the weather has not been to coperative.

I would bet a lot that it would not take 35 grand to make your machine first rate again. If you have a nice shop, get some whatever tools you need (more the better),a two ton overhead hoist, and service manuals and fix it yourself. You can make real good wages now with shop time approaching a hundred bucks an hour. I agree with you that dealers markup is astounding today. Your 2388 is the benchmark everyone else gauges their machine by-including new models of caseNH. good luck.. gs