Combines Durability of 9860 and 635 Flexes

If worried about wear, stay with the walker. The 9660 is a good machine. Deere needs time on the rotor, they got the walker thing down. If you got that big that you need something bigger, why not find a good 9500 as a bean machine.

I have been in combines alot because of wear and so far the 60's are looking real good with the high wear package with the exception of the transition area on the floor of the feederhouse pivot. There are several guy's that went from two 9600's to one 9750STS and it added only about 5% to their harvest time and repairs are a little less per bushel, the 60's will wear, I think, 60% better than the 50's. This is in 75 bushel ave. wheat in Mount St. Helens ash.

Buying a walker machine looks like a mistake to me at this point they are the red headed step child of the combine world the, resale is bad. I have a 9860 and it is working better than I expected. Way better than any other combine on the market. I am running only corn. Good luck.

First yearIJ Hope it holds up, Deere Walker machines cost less at first and are usually kept longer. And they are cheaper to maintain.

There's been a rumour that Deere is going to eventually discontinue the walker machines, yet my local dealer tells me they're going to be introducing a Class VII conventional in the next series change; - who knowsIJ

I wouldn't be counting on a new walker from the US side soon. Any walker development for larger machines is taking place in Germany, I think that may be what the dealer is referring to.

Resale bad on walkersIJ Where do you liveIJ In the wheat belt the used walkers have gone up 10 grand during the last year and no dealer has any.

I asked the other day if they still sold many walker combines in my area and was told no. '05 will be the last year the walker machine will be available with the stainless steel rice package. After that only a corn machine and a small grains will be available. Only rotors for rice farmers i guess.