Combines M2 combine Hydro traction drive

If it says Hydro Traction Drive it is a hydro. If it is a variable speed belt drive it won't say anything on the combine.

OK, that's a good thing. The owner who has it says it has 5 speeds though, two ranges and a few gearsIJ I am totally unfamiliar with this M2 machine and am trying to figure this out for a friend who is looking to buy a starter machine.

That's a variable speed combine--unlike a kor f having a 3 spd trans, the M series had 5 speeds, using 2 ranges , but some of the gears were locked out in some of the ranges ie, there was only one reverse speed I think, using only one of the ranges. There also was a variable speed setup used in these, similar to the smaller series. Ben.