Combines Curious about silver paint

New Deere, With few exceptions youll find that most Gleaner operators are very satisfied with the performance and durability of these combines; I know we are on our farm. I do not have any direct comparison to a 2388. I do have a neighbor who has always run a new R-62 and 2388. He maintains that he finds very little performance difference between the two in soybeans. However the Gleaner was far superior in corn. He has just traded this winter into a new R-72. Im guessing here, but I think the 2388 is going to be history and he will switch to one machine. Now his R-62 that he was comparing to the 2388 did not have the extended cylinder bar kit. I believe that if he wouldve had them in he would have had much greater capacity in his R-62 especially, in green tough soybeans. Note, the extended cylinder bar kits have only been optional for the past few years but are FINAllY standard equipment. I have run a CAT 480. There is no doubt it is a great performing machine. However, with our R-72 we can already drive as fast as either the flex or corn heads will keep up. About the only thing I can find wrong with the CAT is its complexity. It is truly amazing to me that it takes that much more steel etc to make a machine that will compare with an R-72. One thing youll find with an R-72 is that you never have to pull the hydro lever back and slow down in the tough spots. As far as crop losses go we never run total losses (head, shoe, cylinder) over 0.75 bu._acre in soybeans and 0.5 bu. corn. Too bad you cant test drive them all before you make your decision. Good luck, Brian

Both of you guys are all washed up. The Univeristy of Minnesota is n1; at least that is in the only sport that really counts, wrestling. Go Gophers!!!

I only wish that I could buy any piece of machinery all ready to use. I bought a new corn planter for 2000. I spent about 40 hours and hundreds of dollars to get it ready to use. Not every needed accesory that I want is avaliable (like keaton seed firmers). I also cut and rewelded the fertilizer opener mounting bar to get additional clearance for my trash wippers.

Well Mike sounds like you and I are from the same neck of the woods (Millstadt area) I too am a Agco user looking for a dealer, as of now we use Keherer from Albers but thats about 45mins to a hour one way but they are a good bunch of guys who really try to help you in any way they can. As for Heberer goes there was a lot of finger pointing but bottom line; got too big too quick and had to surround themselves with second rate managers who couldn't get the job done.(poor managers = poor business) too bad, there were some Very good people there, some of the BEST parts people I have seen in any dealer and some very good mechanics but alas they are all gone and never to return. so the story dies and so will agco if they don't get a dealer into southern Ill. SOON! If nothing else at least a fully stocked parts store would help but what do I know everyone tells me I'm nut's so maybe I am to believe agco will come back who knows

Tom, I have very little opportunity to correct 'problems' such as Agco's decision to no longer supply certain repair parts for my combine or to price their parts at 3 to 10 times competitive parts. just like you, I have learned more about this combine as time unfolded. I sure do appreciate the advice of participants here. However,

Tom, I have very little opportunity to correct 'problems' such as Agco's decision to no longer supply certain repair parts for my combine or to price their parts at 3 to 10 times competitive parts. just like you, I have learned more about this combine as time unfolded. I sure do appreciate the advice of participants here. However, I am one who wants to make sure modifications are effective. I get very diverse opinions from different dealers, each of whom has extensive experience. I expect to fine tune a machine but it has to be capable of accomplishing the job it was designed for. The fine tuning is excessive with Gleaners.

Never fear brassring. I hear Kehers are opening a sattelite store in Marissa. Should be closer than Albers. Not much help for us but should be for you. Heberer Equipment=How not to run a business. We did a lot with Old Bob, but once he was gone we pulled our business out of Mascoutah and went to Rob at Jerseyville. I little farther, but at least we got away from Dave Plab. Excellent parts and service at Jerseyville and Waterloo(I hear). Too bad. AGCO should have had a better plan. Shame on them. Good luck

Big Bob retired about 5 years back. I was suprised. He just walked away and turned it over. Rumor has it Kehers are opening a store in Marissa. They are OK, but don't have the parts and service Heberer had. AGCO really left the farmers in SW Il holding the bag. Many have gone Red and Green. We bought another Gleaner, but if they don't do something big, quick, we will probably go Green next time.

I too am a college student at an ag college. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is about as "Ag" as they come (it's often referred to as Moo U. or Silo Tech). Currently I'm studying Ag Engineering and someday hope to design_build_test the very combines that you guys buy. Falcon Football Rules. Proto P.S. If anyone is looking for a tax write-off (hey, it might happen!) ask me about our 1_4 scale pulling tractor project as we're in need of additional funding. And no we don't accept MIls even though they make good case weights.

Proto - At UW-Madison, UWRF stood for Ugly Women Run Free! Sorry, couldn't resist! Heck, we had nicknames for nearly all of them - UWEC-Eau Claire = Easy Credit "O" Oshkosh= Zero "GB" Green Bay= Get By Stout= Take the easy way out and on and on......! But there is only one "Mad City".