Combines 9760 or 9860IJ

Another thaught on this issue is bottom line for Deere. It is no doubt alot cheaper to make 3 of one component than 1 of three different sizes. So it is possible to assume that the 9660 is underpowered, the 9860 is over powered and the 9760 is just right. However, is is disappointing to see Deere's flagship run out of capacity against the competition. My $0.02.

Where abouts in Ontario are you locatedIJ and are you all done corn this yearIJ

G-MAN, Thank you for the class info. You are right when Deere decided to jump classes it used to be on cleaning, threshing capacity, and horsepower. But Deere fought to get it changed, and they did change it now it horsepower.

I am located near london, and yes we are done. We finished the first week of Nov. If you could, e-mail me your phone number and name, I would really like to talk to you about your experience with the hydro-flex and the 9660. Thanks

These combines are not all designed to have the largest heads made put on them and run 6mph.If your going to cut wheat with them I'm sure a 9660 with a 30',9760-36',9860-42' all running 4-4.5 in 50-60bu wheat would do the same job.

IF IT IS NOT AT THE PROPER TENSIONIJIJIJIJIJIJIJIJIJIJIJ tighten the belt to the proper tension. Its called MAINTENANCE.

These machines are well maintained! One of the operators who has worked for the company for 13 years will blow atleast one belt each fall in corn.

Boy you really are going to upgrade going from a couple of older 9600 to (2) new 97 or 98's as far as which one to get it all depends on what you are going to use them for if you are going to combine a lot of wheat and corn get the 98's if mainly soybeans the 97's are plenty big enought I run a 635 on a 9660 and don't have any problems with power what so ever I actully have more power issues with a 12R20" corn head that the big flex head.

Have to agree with "green light" on the horsepower. That 12.5 is a beast and has a lot of torque.

I run a 9760 with a 32 ft Shelbourne stripper head and a 635 flexhead. The stripper head in down wheat takes a lot of power and I could pull the motor down. I also smoked a rotor belt-(my bad-it stretched and got loose). This was in 80 bu Spring wheat. The first quarter of soybeans I cut were green stems and I could pull the motor down then too. After the beans dryed down, I cut 40 bu beans @ 5-6 mph. My best day was 240 acres in 11 hours, but my neighbor cut 2800 acres in 10 days. (He starts early-runs late-wet or dry-he goes)If you haven't been around the 635 head, you won't believe how good it cuts-not a bean on the ground. I am putting auto-steer on the combine and the grain cart tractor as we came close to the cart tire a few times-(dusty,dark,and tired!) I don't think I would opt for 9860, but if you do the big corn head (18 row 20" or 12 row 30") in 200 bu plus corn, then maybe the 9860 is the way to go! Good luck!