Combines looking at 6600 that has sat for awhile What to look forIJ

The 6600 is one of the most reliable combines JD made. People like to bash them just by looking at all of the moving parts but given good care they will very seldom break down in the field and they will run as long as other makes between breakdowns and longer then some other combines of a different color that I have had. Things to look for besides the usual stuff could be the bevel gears in the grain tank or the boot on the clean grain elevator. There shouldn't be much electrical crap to worry about because these combines used the "old fashion" method of manually putting the seperator and the unloading auger in gear with lever_belt pulley tightner. I have heard that some of the 6600s with a hydro and diesel were underpowered but I don't know which years because I think JD used 2 different engines in the 6600 throughout its life. As far as your price goes, you might be right on. Of course it depends on your area but I watched a 6600 Sidehill, hydro, diesel, 20ft header, sell for just a little over $2,000 at a local auction about 4 years ago. Funny thing was, the buyer who I know really good resold the combine for $3,500. A 13ft header would be way to small for my area but maybe not for yours.

Check to see if the Primary Countershaft bearings have ever been replaced(shaft under cab that runs the whole machine). These are a real treat to fix yourself and all the 00 machines had a few problems with this.Make sure the rubber shoe bushings are not wore out. Keep the area under the cab blowed out all of the time! You will like this machine better if it has the 404 engine in it instead of the 329.I have a 216 on mine,they will run a 20ft with the 404.Price about right for my area of EC Indiana.

Well k, the first two posts were pretty good. We used to own an earlier 6600, with the 329 diesel. Ours was a '74 model, hydro. We had the usual stuff go out, a bearing or two, the main drive belts, and some chain. Nothing major. Very good machine. In addition to the other items mentioned, check the grain tank loading auger u-joint. The later models did away with the u-joint and used a small direction changing mini gear box. Check the conveyor auger bearings located just underneath the concave and condition of the bevel gears. No big deal. Definitely check to make sure the radiator doesn't leak, after sitting that long electrolysis can wreak havoc on a wet liner diesel. The 6600 is a good machine. But like most things the later models were a little better. I assume it is factory equipped with electric header control. The early ones used a nest of springs under the throat you had to release when cutting beans and manully raise and lower the head. Hopefully yours has the factory installed electric control. We used a 213 head with no problem on our 6600, and for a year or two we shelled corn using a 6 row head and the little 329 ( 105 hp ) did just fine. When we got the 6600 it replaced a gas 510 massey. It was like going from horses to jets. model t, to cadillac. Good luck.