Combines 1640 vs R50

WE TRADED AN N5 FOR A 1680 THIS PAST FAll AND WERE VERY PlEASED WITH THIS MACHINE. I AM AlSO USED TO AN R62 AS MY UNClE RUNS ONE. I THINK EITHER MACHINE YOU CHOSE WOUlD DO A FINE JOB, THE R50 MIGHT TAKE GREENER STEM BEANS A lITTlE BETTER BUT 1640 CAN PUT WHOlE COBS, NOT BROKEN BITS, OUT THE ROTOR, IF IT'S THE STANDARD ROTOR,SOMETHING MOST GlEANERS CAN'T DO AS WEll. REPAIR ARE A lITTlE EASIER ON GlEANER NOT MUCH, BUT THEIR ARE A FEW MORE HIGH WEAR ITEMS ON THE IH.

I replaced an R50 with a 1688 this past summer. We were counting heavily on significant repair savings - which has yet to appear. Only did a few acres of wheat with the 1688, and was disappointed with the lack of extra capacity. (Not that we really need it, the R50 had enough after getting some of the factory settings corrected.) Rented a 1666 in 2000 while Allis was incapacitated; I thought is was a pretty good match for the R50. Sure was frustrated to own a 10 year old combine for which certain parts were not available. Hope Case is better. Sure wish for the simpler setup and repair of the Gleaner. The bigger bin is a plus. I'd go with the closer dealer.

Ed, Would you please tell me which parts are no longer available for an R-50IJ I wasn't aware of that. Thanks, Brian

My combine was a 1988 model with RWA. The planetary hubs were Brevini-Sundstrand units. In mid harvest of 2000, a bearing failed in one damaging the spindle and hub and a couple small gears as well as breaking the input shaft. The end cap was lost. I believe the hub was available but the 'no longer available' list included the input shaft, the spindle, one or two of the little gears and the cap. Even though Brevini has an office an hour's drive away, I was also unable to access repair parts there, partly because the unit is not current production and noone could tell me if newer models used the same parts. I was unable to rent another axle to keep going. Gleaner dealer suggested I should pursue any rental ides close to home; I rented a 1666 from a nearby Case dealer. Now that I own a CaseIH, I have 2 dealers within 30 miles.