Combines Question about 1660 Capacity comparison

[Combine_ken]

I would buy a 30 ft header for the 1660 if your average yield is 30 bus. We run a 1680 with a 36' macdon and a 1660 with a 25' case header. In all crop yields from 25 - 60 bus wheat to 40-80 bus barley or on canola the ground speed is the same on both machines but the 1680 cuts about 1_3 more. We find in 30 bus. wheat the ability of your knife to cut and not rip the stems off is a limiting factor thus a 30' would be better for effiency- you can always slow down in a heavy crop but you can only drive so fast in a light one. If man power is not a concern I would buy 2 1660s rather than one bigger combine. You will cover more ground with 2 smaller than one bigger.But then you have 2 machines to move and repair. Our 1660 is about 1_3 bigger than the 750MF it replaced. Hard pressed to keep up to a JD9600. but in the right barley conditions I wouldn't bet against it. Hope this helps clear the cloudy waters!

 

[boetboer]

Having operated both, I've found that a 9600 has slightly more capacity than the Case 1660. However, the BY FAR superior quality of the sample the Case delivers, makes it a better choice. Two smaller machines have pros and cons, obviously, but I'd advise you to get them. We run a 2188, a 1660 and a 1440, all on 30 and 36-foot windrows, without much difficulty. The smaller ones obviously travel slower, but they manage to harvest wheat with a 4tonnes_hectare yield quite easily.