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Hmmm....that's a good one R.O.M. On Soapbox now: As technology advances it is clear that it will be incorporated into our machinery. That is already happening. In the tech industry as a whole we have moved everything into component-based production. That is if something doesn't work you yank that component and try a different one. Component based design should be followed in machinery as well. It shouldn't take ohm meters, jumpers, alternate power supplies, etc to troubleshoot our machinery. Components should be cheap and readily available and easy to swap out. Technology is great, but it doesn't have to be so expensive, and there shouldn't be so much "smoke and mirrors" about how to live with it. That said: I want my new combine to use GPS technology to follow the pattern around the field. Forward, below, and side looking radar to determine the three dimensional terrain around the machine and choose best route to cut it. I want data. lots of it. I want to know in any give spot what the yield was, how much MOG was there, straw density, and grain weight. I want to be able to relay this data to the truck, which in turn relays the data to the house. At the same time the house is giving the truck current weather observations, changing forcasts, market reports, etc. The truck is handing this back to the combine at the next opportunity. R.O.M. you asked and there it is!!

I'd like to see Gleaner beat the competition to the punch and put the Fendt CVT in the combines to replace the hydro tranny. And, if the predictions are true and the coming Gleaner class 8 and 9 models are going to be Massey based designs, I'd like to at least see accelerator rolls incorporated into them. Would also like to see the swing-out unloader available.

I want to be able to put any brand header on any brand combine. 3 point hitch designs have been industry standard for years. Just different in sizes. Hydraulic hookups for implements have been standardized for years. Why can't combines be that wayIJ Someone might like a Agco corn head but love his 2388... Make that a reality. Without having to run out to Nebraska and get a Bish adapter that may or may not work properly..

I like that idea too.

I want the high wear parts made to last 5000 hours or more.

First off great question next I am a Case IH guy and I know I should not be posting here but the Case combine site has gone into hibernation. I want a combine that was new 20 years ago like the first 1680. I want them built brand new now and I want to buy one for just under $100,000.00 yes you can say it is 20 year old technology but the new 2388's are just a jazzed up 1680 with a new differrent cab but they cost almost $300,000.00 WHYIJIJIJIJIJ

Innovative ideas and comments from all makes, models and colours are welcome. Ideas welcome to solve a problem. Don't just criticise it! Two or three very good ideas and suggestions on the board so far. Keep em coming!

Great to hear from another brand with out a slagging match. Excellent post could'nt agree more but why stop at 2388 . What about a 8010 (i think thats the model ) Heard they are alot more than a 2388 and that they have'nt gone as good here in Australia cause they have gone nuts on techno gadgets etc and were not so reliable but were just doing some unbelievable amounts when running fine. I'm one for keeping it simple and if we have to have electronics make them componet type like stated by another here and price them to what there worth. Anyway got me thinking ROM so will post some thing later hopefully if my brain works a bit better tomorrow. Cheers Pengs5

The 8010 is a huge combine. As I understand, this is one of the common platform combines that CIH_NH is producing in their Nebraska plant. local CIH sales staff were reluctant to push the 8010. One salesman said plainly, "Wait for the bugs to be worked out before considering the 8010." There were some major recall efforts, details I do not know. It also adds another power plant to the mix, using an IVECO engine from FranceIJIJIJ presumably as a result of the Fiat connection. It is probably a fine engine, but pretty thinly distributed in the North American market.

As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, a component based approach to combine building would make life easier for everyone. More efficient drives would also make sense. Too much fuel ends up heating oil and IJIJIJ instead of doing useful work in current combine designs. The automotive world is introducing electric power steering. Could some tasks in combines go electrical as wellIJ Better connectors in wiring harnesses could reduce electrical problems dramtically at only a small increase in cost. A little more thought in the design and installation of wiring hanesses could be very helpful down the line. To often it seems wiring harnesses are thrown on with little consideration for potential abrasion and service access. Only an incremental change, but potentially very important to long term reliability.