First of all I'd say you can't go too wrong with either machine. We help a neighbor with about 500 acres of corn and soybean planting and harvesting each season. He just traded a 7720 for a 9500 while we run a R-60 (P1) and a R-72. Some comaprions I feel important between combines: 1)Grain quality. In soybeans under most conditions I do not believe there is a lot of difference. We both raise seed beans and I don't believe there ever to be a lop sided difference in cleanouts. Corn is a different story. The Gleaners (other rotaries too I'm sure) definantly have less fines, it is not even close. 2) Grain loss. We both run Agleader PF3000 yield monitors and calibrated them on these farms. The Gleaner showed an yield advantage in both. However, we run Crary Air Reels while he doesn't. The only times I've noticed him losing more beans than I thought he should have was in green tough spots...in those areas walker losses rose dramiticaly. As for corn, there was a strong 1_2 bpa advantage for the Gleaner. I did not do any counts behind his machine but I know we were losing about 1_6 bpa out the rotor and less than that over the shoe. With casual observation behind his machine it did not appear a lot different, except for the cobs that every so often still had 5-6 kernals on them. Also, I believe with the amount of fines in those conventionals they "blow" over kernal pieces and even dust. Heads: Soybeans. JD flex heads seem fine. Many say they feed better than Gleaners. I don't know, it has been a while since we have run with out Air Reels to make a good comparison. I will say however, if I did own a JD flex head I would still get an Air Reel. I don't see how feeding could be a lot different because he still had to run reel fast and all the way down in order to feed. Corn heads. That is easy. Hugger all the way! I'm sure the durablity of the Deere head is okay but when it comes to performance it is no Hugger, period. Note, that may also explain some of the yield difference in corn. Don't know what crops you harvest but I think you'll like the rotaries for all but especially high volume crops like corn. A few years ago I'd have agreed 100% with you on the parts expense comment. Not sure I do any more. We have some green equipment and it has been plenty spendy to fix as well. One other thing to add. If you do buy a Deere be careful! JD's agressive marketing tactics have led to lots of roll-overs. Often these machines have not been serviced and maintained as well as they should've been. Yes, 9500's are often cheaper than competitive brands and rightly so. It is becasue they are junk. Not because of poor design but because many have rarely seen a grease gun, oil change, etc... Just keep your eyes open. Good luck!
