Combines bigger machine or second machine

All I can tell you is what I noticed when I changed from an M2 and l2 to an R60. I no longer have to combine after sunset and I can still finish combining several days before I could ever dream of finishing with the smaller machines.

The nice thing about running two machines is if you do have one go down, your still running on one lung. One big machine goes down and your at a stand still. On the other hand, two machines means two operators.( its one of those six one way half a dozen the other deals)

Not sure of your field sizes but running a small grain cart might solve your problem for less money they getting a second machine_upgrading.A second machine will take another operator,and so will the cart but IMHO operator 'competence' isnt as important on a cart as on a combine.

The big things to consider I guess would be manpower, expense, and storage of one machine vs. two. With an l3 I would imagine you would cut your harvest time almost in half. If you are concerned with getting in the field wet though you would probably need an extra day with the l3-M3. Going bigger would also mean header transports more than likely. my two cents, Curt

IT really depends on what you can pick up a second combine for. We run two '82 l2's which are about the same as a l3 plus we picked up an older combine for parts. It works great in our area where we tend to switch back between corn and beans a couple of times a year, plus, the operating cost are soo low if you can pick up a parts combine. You may have to shell out almost a grand sometimes for one, but when your broke down on a saturday evening with 50 acres to go, its priceless. Secondly a m or l series is still a huge leap from an F2. We used to run two F2's one with fwd and then went to one l2 and that was much better. we have both a fwd and twd l2 and to tell you the truth, as long as you have just one with fwd, you really dont need 2 with it, but hey, you might. hope that helps

you could always purchase a used N series for well under $10,000 i bought one with under 2000 engine hours for $4,000 on a similar note l series gear jammers often go for $1,000 or your basic salvage price i run 2 - N7s in beans because i work full time for the local indian casino at nite, and its really nice to cover 100 acres a day even though you dont get started till 2pm and on a full day you can easily knock out 80 acres of corn if the trucks can keep it away august wieser rosholt, sd

thanks for the help guys that was kinda my thoughts on it myself i might have a good M3 picked up now if the deal dont fall thru and it has RWA farmer owned one owner machine and sharp with a 316 header and 6r30" cornhead but i have found a l2 with RWA cheap with no heads at a salvage yard dont look bad i think i will probably go with a second machine since i will be taking on some more custom work in the area other farmers are getting out of it mostly wide row corn and couple guys told me i get there beans also since the bigger guys dont want there corn acres they said they dont need my bean acres either so i will keep the F2 for sure heck it is the first combine i have owned but i am thinkin more on the l2 for the price even though it was just overhauled they say