Combines CTS infoIJIJ

Buy a lexion instead. They are similar in concept but built hell bent for stout compared to anything else offered today. The lexion feeds everything under the cylinders i nto the rotors whereas the CTS goes under the cylinder and over the accelerator impeller which can casue some plugging. Never run a lexion, but their design looks much more superior to the CTS and when looking at their quality, it is far better than anythign else on the market.

Already own a 485, any helpful adviceIJ

Interesting to read. If you own a 485, what makes you look at a CTSIJ I ran the 470 and 470R for a year each and know the Deere walkers and STS very well but not the CTS.

I like the 485 but we found a couple CTS for around 1_3 of what the 485 cost and we need a machine for cutting around creek bottoms with a 20' head. I personally think that walkers should have walked right out of the combines in the mid 90's. So I will fight to the end on getting another walker machine. We have 2 early 90's 9600, and they run 30' and 25' MacDons, but they have over 5000 hrs on them and are looking for something inexpensive to help out in soybeans.

If I understand you right, the walkers should have been replaced by rotors a long time ago. I could agree. The walker has always been the capacity limit on the 9600 in small grains. Replacing those by rotors cures it. Together with a conventionel cylinder in front it makes a very versatile combine - more than the STS which is about twice as expensive in upkeep than a walker machine. Aren't the used lexions pretty cheap, tooIJ

Be careful! Most of those CTS's where used in rice, in most cases that means it is worn out! You would also have to start with at least buying a new concave to get it to do a good job in soybeans. I think you want to get a 13 bar concave if my memory is correct, could be wrong.

We went and looked at them today, the first was a wreck needed about 5-12 thousand in parts. The second was a decent looking machine with rasp bars. It came off a farm with Corn, soybean with a little rice. It was in reasonable shape. All the augers were full size, cylinder bars were full height, concave was worn, but I think would last till next winter. Has less than 2300 sep hrs. Dakota, When we were looking at lexion vs JD, I refuse to have another lexion that is not an R series so that means 2002 or newer. We really don't have the grain handling to keep 2 lexions going. And the Boss was wanting small for him to play around with, he gets a little nervious in the Huge harvesting equipment. He would still run an 7720 if we had one. Price wise this CTS is in the low 30's, I doubt you will find a lexion for that.

We went and looked at them today, the first was a wreck needed about 5-12 thousand in parts. The second was a decent looking machine with rasp bars. It came off a farm with Corn, soybean with a little rice. It was in reasonable shape. All the augers were full size, cylinder bars were full height, concave was worn, but I think would last till next winter. Has less than 2300 sep hrs. Will make a desicion in the Morning wrether to buy this one or keep looking. Dakota, When we were looking at lexion vs JD, I refuse to have another lexion that is not an R series so that means 2002 or newer. We really don't have the grain handling to keep 2 lexions going. And the Boss was wanting small for him to play around with, he gets a little nervious in the Huge harvesting equipment. He would still run an 7720 if we had one. Price wise this CTS is in the low 30's, I doubt you will find a lexion for that.

Yes, Claas has changed a lot of things on the R-series. I think they are a little closer to North American needs. The price sounds reasonable on the CTS. I wouldn't call a 2000 hour machine a wreck, that needs $12,000. I have seen walker machines with less hours needing $20,000 in parts and STS's with 400 hours needing up to $15,000 in parts. It depends a lot on what they have done. You probably know, that corn wears more about twice as much as wheat and soybeans about twice as much as corn again.