Combines R72H demo photo

[johnboy]

Are you guys cross-breeding combines with mountain goatsIJ john

 

[T__langan]

If it were me that had to cut those hills, I'd have to remove the nice air-ride seat from the cab and install a toilet to sit on! AGCO should make a Special "Palouse Edition" Series II with a toilet in the cab as standard equipment! Comes with a special non-slip seat and seat belt so you won't slide off.

 

[Kurt]

That is really amazing!! Does the combine level itself automaticallyIJ How fast does it raise up and downIJ What is the combine in the back groundIJ Doesn't look like it has the hillside attachment, how did the hillside combine work, was it that much better to pay for the attachmentIJ Or is it just for operator comfortIJ Just a few curious questions from a flat lander in Kansas.

 

[Coug_Fan]

Kurt wrote: "That is really amazing!! Does the combine level itself automaticallyIJ How fast does it raise up and downIJ What is the combine in the back groundIJ Doesn't look like it has the hillside attachment, how did the hillside combine work, was it that much better to pay for the attachmentIJ Or is it just for operator comfortIJ Just a few curious questions from a flat lander in Kansas." The combine is self leveling using mercury bulbs to find level. The combine only levels to around 20% which is why it is leaning over some. One thing you can't see in the picture is that the rear end is tailing off down hill. The leveling responds quickly to the change in slope. The combine in the background is a standard R72 equiped with duals and rear wheel drive. Acording to the salesman, the main advantage of the leveling system is 25% increase in capacity on steep ground. It keeps the grain more even across the shoe. As far as the $30,000 price tag for the leveling, it's up to the individual farmer to decide.--Ray

 

[Glenn]

I was reading your comments and had to say that they have crossbred the combine and have now made it a meaner Gleaner leaner. As far as toilet seats, isn't that what all the buddy seats are equipped withIJ I was the one driving for Coug Fan's picture. We took it on another hill and got a little slide out of it on some heavy stubble. Have to really pay attention because the bulk tank will hold so much more when it is leveler and makes it almost too heavy on the hillsides. With the level land version the grain starts spilling out the lower side faster so it can't get so heavy. We try to dump often to keep weight down on the hills. Anyway the leveling unit is by Hillco and below is a link to pictures of the system on the Gleaner. They started with Case IH and have added it to several manufacturers machines which is welcomed by us in the Pacific Northwest. By the way the picture wasn't taken on an extremely steep hill, they do get steeper. I enjoy getting information from everyone's posts.

 

[Tom_Russell]

Several years ago I did consulting engineering for a company that made highway mowers. They were afraid to proceed with a hillside machine because they were afraid that any kind of failure might cause a malfunction and tip the machine and harm their reputation. Obviously you have built safeguards into your setup to avoid drastic problems. In the nearly 30 years since I did that work, I havent heard of a single failure in a machine-leveling system that caused damage of injury. The one feature that is really fascinating is the platform and ladder follow the terrain and are always accessible regardless of the amount of tilt. When I see those mountainous fields, I am thankful the highest hill on my farm is about 10. There isnt much skiing or sledding around here in the winter. Tom in MN

 

[T__langan]

Two years ago, a neighbor of ours with a 6620 Sidehill was cutting corn along a creek and his right drive tire dropped into a DEEP washout. Deep enough that nearly the entire tire was in the hole. If he didn't have that leveler, that combine would've dumped on it's side! It took some engineering to get that thing out of that hole too.

 

[T__langan]

After thinking about lugging up to 330 bu of wheat around on a hill like that, I'd want an ejection feature added to my toilet too! Glenn - Would a design like the original Hillside Gleaners had where the tires stay vertical help to prevent sliding or notIJ With duals on the machines, is there even a risk of rolling a combine on a steep sideslope or will they just slide downhillIJ Thanks,

 

[Combineman]

I think the butt cheek pucker factor is high enough to eliminate the need for seat belts. The real problem is the Procologist fees for removing the seat from your butt at the end of the day. An ejection feature would be nice incase things go from scary to all out panic. The seat would have to come too when the ejection lever is pulled or else the negative G factor might approach 9 or 10 if your butt fails to release it's grip on the seat as your shot through over head canopy. I can see some poor soul shooting 10-20 feet into the air yet his lower anatomy is still inside the cab. If something didn't let go, he would snap right back into the cab. I hear they Sow the wheat crop up there with a shotgun. Is this trueIJ CM

 

[Tom_Russell]

And only his laundress knew how scared he was. Tom in MN