Combines Class 8

[Silver_Bullet]

I agree with you. The way I see it working would be to basically to use 2 rotors out of the R50-52 and have a left and right flowing rotor. Think of the straw distribution potential by having the straw spreaders on both outer corners of the machine! The only problem I see to overcome would be seperating the material to make it move left or right. In tough conditions I would think the rotor would want to pull material either way and have to pull it apart which would take a lot of powerIJ This concept would lend itself to having a lot wider feeder house which I think would be good.

 

[R_O_M]

Scuttle butt here in Oz quite a few years ago is that JD tried this approach before they got into their current configuration of rotaries. Apparently all the crop material went either left or right. They never solved the problem of evenly dividing the flow on a consistent basis. A couple of the early model twin rotor NH's had similar problems in light crops. Cheers!

 

[T__langan]

I have spent some time considering that idea as well. Also came to the same conclusion about dividing the crop flow. However, if a guy thinks outside of the box, it could be accomplished. How about dividing the entire feeding system, right down to the headIJ Have the left side of the head feed the left side of the rotor, and the same on the right sideIJ It would certainly be unique, and the red and green guys would chuckle, but haven't they always snickered at our beloved silver beastsIJ Tom langan

 

[Tim_nj]

I'm not convinced making combines bigger and bigger is the best way to go. What kind of development work is being done to take grain away from a Class 8+ machineIJ What good is all that capacity if you run like hell to get the bin on the combine full and then have to sit and wait for a cart or truckIJ You can have 5 drivers and 5 semis, but it still takes time to unload them at the elevator or bins. Having to pay those drivers kind of takes away from the efficiency savings of a big combine, doesn't itIJ

 

[D_Mayes]

First you would cut the time for seperation in half on each side.Second you would have to add more drives for more spreaders and choppers if needed.Third you would have to have something to cut the crop in half or the amount of material being dumped back on the feed chain would be hard to handle.This all takes way more horsepower than the current system.looks to me like a larger diameter enclosed rotor and a feeder with more vertical clearence and more drum float would be easer.Make the combine longer not wider.Dont add anymore parts just bigger and stronger.

 

[dairyfarmer]

i helped a farmer who was having his custom done this fall with a r65 running a 8 row head he had three semis going and a 750 bushel graincart and could not keep up i have to agree with tim here how are you going to get rid of the gran efficiently just my 2 cent though

 

[Dr_Allis]

We had the same problems when Gleaner came with the FIRST 12 row in 1978_79. We eventually overcame the grain handling problems. The lexion 480_485 class 8 machines made us get better again, and we did. Now there is a class 9 machine the lexion 590(with 16 rows) and once again we will figure out how to handle the grain!! Corn is the worst to handle because of the volume per acre, so maybe class 9 will fair better in other crops with lesser yields. My take on a bigger Gleaner is this--- AGCO is betting on the large chassis Massey combine to be their flagship and that's what I really think is going to happen. I still feel there could be an R85, but I don't think AGCO is interested due to the width issue.Believe me , I don't agree with it, but wait and see if I'm right or not.

 

[B_A_P]

Would a threshing cylinder in place of the rear feed chain increase capacityIJ This would allow the existing rotor to separate for its whole length. Any thoughtsIJ

 

[AGCOfan]

Who cares what those guys think. NH has a good add running up here in Ontario that sais "somewhere out there John Deere enginers are scratching their heads". I think what you said about having the head devided would work. It works with the TR New Holland for plot combines. A few of them running up here in Ontario. Seed companies and U of G has one. Take care, Nathan

 

[AGCOfan]

Who cares what those guys think. NH has a good add running up here in Ontario that sais "somewhere out there John Deere enginers are scratching their heads". I think what you said about having the head devided would work. It works with the TR New Holland for plot combines. A few of them running up here in Ontario. Seed companies and U of G has one. Take care, Nathan