Combines 8820 s

Had a 8820, 9500, and 9600. 8820 is between the 9500 and a 9600. 8820 in my experience had less wear and lasted longer without major repair

It basically was just their best way at the time. The 6620,7720,8820 are an improvement based on the 6600,7700. Massey used the same idea for many years. Someone at JD finally got the bright idea that it is better to have the engine in back instead of roaring in the operator's ears...just like IH and others. Too bad it took until 89 for them to get it onto the market.

Another question would be if I should spend the extra monet on a used 9500 or 9600, I currently farm 650 acres, thanks

What kind of crop did it harvestIJ Corn and especially beans are most abrasiv. Was it greased goodIJ If not you could spend a lot of money in repairing it. How thin is the elevator housingIJ How thin are the augersIJ (clean grain, bin auger, etc). It probably needs a feed chain, sprokets, the feeder house bottom rebuilt, elevator chains, all drive chains. If it was maintained very bad you might need a new variable drive and new counter shafts including bearings. What crops will you be harvestingIJ The 8820 does great in corn but not so great in barely because of walker loss.

I would go with the maximizer just for the cab comfort and ease of operation-which won't cost a whole lot more anyway if you go with like a 92-94 model year.

It would have run in corn and beans only,it has 9000 series chopper, dual 42"rubber,Mauer bin extension. The heads are 2and4 years old a jd 930f and jd 983. I havn't been able to talk to the owner as of yet but needed good question to ask like you've provided and what to look for thanks.Also wondered how people got along with them overall, thanks again

We have put a little over 1,000 hours on our 1981 8820 that we bought 10 years ago for a second combine. It now has 3,800. During that time we have had 2 hours of downtime do to only broken belts.

If you don't mind the manual controls and engine noise, the 8820 is probably one of the toughest machines on the market. With good maintenance they will last a very long time.

I have a 1988 8820 TII and really like it. I bought it with 2900 hrs. on it and have replaced the clean grain and return augers. Replaced the cylinder bars and concave, also the front rattle and any bearings associated with these parts. I run a 893 corn head and a 925 grain head. I put a bish bin extension on it and a Johnson dust diverter on the throat. I farm 500 acres of corn and soybeans and this machine does an excellent job for me. I was looking at 9000 series combines when I came upon this machine and am very happy I bought it. I think I got a good deal on the 8820 and I'm a fair mechanic so I wasn't afraid to hang new parts on it. This machine has good paint and is a four wheel drive and is now in new condition. I believe I would have to spend at least $20,000 more on a 9000 series machine than I spent on this machine and parts. If you can buy the 8820 for the right price and can take some time to go thru it properly you'll get years of service out of it. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Thanks for the input AJ I got ahold of the owner finaly and he has done quite a bit of work, trans. overhaul,1 year old rasp bars,clean grain elevator replaced,cross auger in tank replaced, unload auger 1 year old, one thing he hasn't done is the electric clutch is out but is selling it that way. One thing I hear is that these machines are alittle on the noisy side and cab not real tight, I run my neighbors 9600, how much of a shock would jumping into this beIJ