Combines Rumor Mill Rumbles On

[CORNKING]

Well if were talking rumors how about this one! Caterpillar buying AgcoIJ Maybe not so much rumor either.And Cat decals and engine come out of lexion and they go back to a Claas name. I guess time will tell usually when there is a rumor somthing happen to start them.

 

[silver_tin_tank]

Cat could probaly pay for AGCO six times over out of petty cash, just my bit. p_s just cleaned up after toasting a 36 macdon and a r62 Any thoughts on the pros and cons re fire starting e_g draper or spiral type front Seems to have started in or on centre belt after that it was a bit hectic Any thougths mutch appreciated Thanking you Tin tank

 

[Rolf]

From my hearing, 99% of Combine fire's that start at the front are Belt fronts! I have not heard of a front fire on a spiral front all belt onesIJ Belts can build up a heck of a lot of friction heat

 

[Combine_Wizard]

STT, I am very sorry to hear about your loss! If certain belts are geting too overheated from friction, enough to cause fires, this problem needs to be addressed immediately, lest insurance co's will take it out on us.

 

[Combine_Wizard]

Gleaner Manitoba, you brought up some rather interesting points about the Gleaners. I can't agree more on their relative simplicity, but most of all, the easiest machine in the field to access for major, as well as minor repairs. I'm not interested in unfounded rumors. I think a lot of this gets started by dealers or even some block men for no better reason than to give us a bone to chew on and hopefully keep our brand loyalty. Over the years, I've seen enough mis-calls to conclude my own "wait and see for myself" attitude. No more of this "he said this" or "she said that" kind of stuff. Back to the Gleaner issue, they are as strong a line as any of the majors right now, and have far more acceptance than any of the new names or imported "exotics." Massey-Ferguson WAS an established, Big 4 name, but not any more. M-F as a corporation died over 15 years ago. AGCO only purchased remaining interest and kept the name as one of its subs, or perhaps, just a name-only, for their dealers. There was an interim there, where Claas was sub-contracted to build a [fake] Gleaner and Massey conventional. It was the same model just painted silver or red respectively. It was nowhere even related to any true conventional Gleaner design. Apparently, a few years ago, the tools and fabriction equipment was purchased so the same could be made in the US. I have no idea when it stopped. The Massey rotary design IS of Massey heritage. Even though its production was halted for some years, it's been resurrected by AGCO not the real Massey-Ferguson. The "Massey" rotary combine they have now, is modeled after the old 8590 [the same as White 9700_9720] size-wise, but now embodies many modern improvements the former never had or even saw. Massey-Ferguson,, while still just barely alive, gave up their 8590 but did hang onto the smaller likeness, the Model 8570. This new AGCO Massey 9890 is not only a very good combine, but huge on capacity. As far as Gleaners go, most likely AGCO will keep them for the reasons above. However, I do agree also, that the "70" size needs at least a yet larger companion model to keep up with demands and changing times. That size was huge 27 years ago, shortly after its introduction. In some areas, it was even bigger than the White 9700. Still, after almost 30 years, we really could use a bigger Gleaner. What would be wrong about having something like an "R 85" or even an "R 95IJ"

 

[NowGleaner7]

It only takes one to start a rumour and a few to fuel it. I doubt if we see the 65 or 75 design leave these size of machines for a long time or (until somebody designs a better one). Dave

 

[Silver_Shoes]

Respectively, have you compared the chaffer and seive area of the Gleaner to other combines. I looked at an 580 Cat yesterday and the shoe is dinky compared to the Gleaners. Clean grain elevator and return on the Cat was also the same size if not maybe even a bit smaller than the Gleaner. Grain bin capacity is not much difference, gleaner rotors have always had a huge grain tank that the others are just catching up with in their machines. The only thing that has been holding the capacity down on the gleaner rotors is some unrealized capacity in the rotor area which has been discovered by guys we have met on this site. Gleaner is although restricted because of transverse rotor design, not capacity but width. The combines are wide body machines and are pretty much as wide as the can make them. Which is the reason they are even working with the Massey-White designed rotor. Gleaner has all the lil things such as hillside operations pretty much figured out, but they will run into a road block as far as moving to a Class 9 machine because of width. I think the larger design combines of any company will have to be an inline cylinder design or else multiple cylinders in a transverse setup or a combination of the 2. (claas) I might be wrong but its the way I see it. I love my gleaners and they have huge capacity, very comparable to their competition right now. Although in the future of larger capacity machines to come I think the transverse rotor will have to take a bow to some type of inline combination rotor assembly. Any one elses thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Orange]

I have a relative that works in engineering at Caterpillar. Cat wants nothing to do with the Ag business. Ag does not fit their "core business" model. Every year since Cat entered Ag with original Challenger, they lost money. I would not expect them to be back in in Ag.

 

[Hibred]

I agree with you but still Agco needs a few little things to truly make it a leader, i'd love to see an external chopper again, sure would be nicer for spreading and chopping to have it out back like the old l3's, Agco definately needs to make a major change to there flex heads, more flexibility, able to shave the ground better then what we have now, maybe even slightly copying the new Deere head would be whats needed, Deere seems to be leading because of all the creature comforts and ability to make all there necessary changes from in the cab but these things can cause problems too, sometimes i wonder when trying to lift the head and reel at the same time if there is enough hydraulic capacity, would like to hear your thoughts and comments. One other comment would be Agco needs to quit closing dealers, they should be adding more and really need to market there products and promote them better, if you go into a Deere dealer they have the latest brochures available, Agco's literature is way too far behind, 2 to 4 years behind even there tape that comes with a new combine is so far outdated by like almost 10 years so some catchups are needed.

 

[Combine_Wizard]

No, I was not referring specifically to any feature of the Gleaners, sieves or not. I simply stated how they were leaders in capacity [and really still are], but as users are screaming for more and more capacity, maybe it is time for their size to be stepped up. After all, the largest one has been around for 27 years, although much has been done internally and engine-wise to beef up capacity. What I am saying, is that it is maybe time for a Class IX or even Class X Gleaner.