Combines 9600 Problematic Hydrostatic Drives

[gdawg]

I've run a 485 for 3 fall crops, and can positively tell you that you can outcut 2 9600's with one Cat in soybeans, and in 200 bushel corn 1 485 can make an average over a 12 hour day at least 3500 bushels per hour. I've been in mud that would suck the boots right off your feet and didn't even know it until I got off the combine. We had a 9600 with logger tires in the same field, and never got stuck but we spent about as much time backing out as going forward. It took 2 years to work out the ruts it left. We've had a few problems but no worse than any new equipment, but I've never seen an ag dealer more equipped to solve problems, and more eager to satisfy.

 

[Farm_Kid]

gdawg, Where are you locatedIJ Actually, where is this Cat dealer locatedIJ Thanks

 

[skinnyfarmer]

Does the 485 not compare to the 9750 so you have to compare it to a smaller size JD machine. A 9750 will positively outcut two 9600's! You make it sound like Cat has such a better combine when all you are doing is comparing a smaller John Deere machine to Cats big new one. And even if the Cat compares somewhat close to the STS's, they cost so much more than a deere that you couldn't afford to run one at $2.40 wheat.

 

[Rooster]

Skinnyfarmer, realistically speaking, many farmers who look at the 480_85, look at its performance capabilites over the next and as a potential replacement for multiple machines, which it does extremely well in corn and holds its own in beans as well. Many of the farmers who typically look at the 480_85's only have R-72's, 2388's, TR-99's and 9600's. The 9750 is a new machine and has not made it to the realm which the 480_85 has dared to enter. The 480_85, realistically, is a "huge" machine, with farm more power and capacity than a 9750. Thus, a machine with much more performance. When pricing a 480_85 to a 9750, as I have done, option to option, I have found that I will be within -$20,000 (this includes the track option). So, when pricing a 9750 vs. a 480, wheeled machine, the prices are comperable and you will get so much more with the Cat. The Cat is made up of pulleys, shafts and sheet metal that is heavier and will far outlast any competitive machine (no more roll overs for me!!!, I want a machine for the long haul). Combine that quality with the top-notch Cat dealer service_support (no one can complain about Cat service, may be high but, you get what you pay for and far more) and you will have an excellent performing machine for the long haul. Unless, you are a roll over junkie and do not prefer to have equity in anything. I am currently pricing the Cat over everything else and when I weigh the costs to performance, the Cat's win hands down. I demoed on last year in 180 + bushel corn in all moisture levels and the engine avg. in the 60-70% range, never did high moisture or tough to thresh conditions phase it in beans or corn. Cat really has something with this machine and if you demo one you will realize its potential. Progressive farmers are those who manage for the long run looking for better ways to do more with less, taking into complete consideration the "law of diminishing marginal returns and depreciation and not about trying to roll a machine, which only gets you a new machine that you do not have to be resonsible for,letting the second owner worry. Ultimately, what I am getting at in this message is, you need to be proactive when choosing equipment and consider potential.

 

[skinnyfarmer]

Rooster,

 

[eagle1]

I do not know how you define building equity. It seems to me that you need a return on investment in order to build equity. Buying land traditionaly has a lower return on equity than most other income producing assets. You should analyse the need for any given asset then decide how to aquire the use of that asset (rent, lease, own). For me the Cat combine offered a way to reduce labor (one combine instead of two),did not cost more than any other compitive brands, the tracks should reduce compaction, and though generaly I try to do all of our service in house the Cat service can't be equaled by any of the local dealers. I guess that in summery, using your accounting numbers to make a decision with out letting emotion getting in the way, seems to be the best way of staying in business. I do not want to be considered a "Progressive Farmer". I do want to be a "least cost producer." This should alow me to play awhile longer should the money ever run low. By the way the University of Alberta has a paper on financial ratios posted on their web site. There is also a book by whats his name on the same subject. It is not casual reading but is well worth the effort.