I follow an assortment of these forums and I have NEVER read anything about power issues, header reverser problems, rear ends falling off, sheet metal cracking, and air intake troubles in the engine compartment on any model of the STS combines. In fact, I dont think John Deere has any updates since they introduced the STS series. Yes sir, all STS combines performed completely perfect. I only wish the IH engineers are capable of releasing a product that could vie with the John Deere STS. Instead they must be the most bungling individuals that ever walked the planet. (Sarcasm intended!) Now seriously, have you read what you typedIJ Do you have some suspicion or inclination that when the design team congregated their intentions were to develop a substandard product. I doubt when the engineers met they said, look boys and girls, what we have to do is make the worst possible product and release it to our customers ahead of schedule because the people above only care about present earnings and have none interest in what effect it will have in the future. Plus, it will be uproarious to deal with all the troubles they will have! And lastly, do you really think that there is a manufacturer that releases a completely new product and has absolutely none troubles with itIJ The problem is that people tend to be more vocal about their misfortunes rather than their fortuity. A good example is the news. Most of what is reported is information about troubles with an occasional good fortune at the end of the broadcast. I tend to think this way. We purchased a used 2388 last year and it performed phenomenally for us. It was by far the best combine we had ever run. We did not have one breakdown (combine related) for both the wheat and fall harvest. In fact, we were fortunate in our decision because it resulted with us being one of the first farms to finish harvest in the area. We only had to contend with mudding out 90 acres of beans compared to other people that had over 500 acres. Therefore, from this example and many others, I consider IH products to be top-shelf. We have always had good luck with them and I have all the confidence that they will continue to offer exceptional products. I base this reasoning on knowing that the same people working on the 23 series are the same people working on the 8010. They have a good combine in the 23 series and will have a good combine in the 8010 series (providing they do not get complacent and will continue to strive for improvement in service and quality).
