Combines STS harvest summary 2001

dakota Are these four 9650s 2000 modelsIJ If it is, I have heard of many problems on the late 99' and 00' models. However, from what I have learned from those with 2001 models, it seems to be much better. We just purchased our 9650sts, so we will see how it goes next years harvest. We oringally wanted 3 new 9650sts, but after hearing two different sides to those combines, we decided to go for only one new one and get 2 new 2388s since we still love our 2388s we have had since then. I can assure you that you are not alone with those 2000 model STSs problems. I hope you have better luck next year.

I hope, too, that we have better luck next year. We have asked Caterpillar very nicely to help us out. Time will tell.

we have a sts 9750 have had it for wheat,beansan corn. we have noticed grain appearing along the frame of the machine. do the seals around the sieves an such leak on theses machines. very distraught over keeping sucha machine.

The neighbor has a one year old STS...what a lemon. Problem after problem after problem. He wishes he had his 9500 back. The engine has been racing...or will shut down in the middle of the field and not restart. This doesnt work, that doesnt work. Dealer has replaced several computer chips that have fixed some issues. Traced some engine problems down to the injection pump. First replacement failed, second one is working so far. Guess how much the injection pump costsIJ $4000...and he may not get warranty on it. He only has done half of what we have with our 7720. And we havent had a single problem so far.

Sounds like JD didn't put together a very good combine. Oh, wait that was the wrong words to use they "threw it together".

We are still finding grain along the frame and on the steps under the shields.

I would like to know the total hours you had on these machines by the end of your harvest season.

I ran a 9650 STS last year on harvest and we had problems with loosing grain around the sieves. Come to find out that Deere puts in the rubber seals in the combine before its painted and then paints it. They put the combine in a paint drying oven and it gets extremely hot. I forgot how hot it really is. The rubber seals curl up a little and when the machine is running and the upper and lower pans get furthest apert the seal lifts up and that was were the grain was leaking out. We replaced the seals and did not have any more problems with leakage. I put about 900 hours in a STS and only had 1 bearing go out. Which was the same bearing we had go out on all 8 machines...5 STS and 3 conventionals. All in all its a fair combine. It will run circles around a conventional in beans and corn. looks like seed in the hopper and none on the ground. Hauled many loads of corn with almost no dockage.

Dakota, Sorry to hear about all the trouble. I used to be a custom harvester based out of Nebraska. We sold out..er.. was forced to sell out in 1994 after 22 runs. We never did run any 9000 series combines and our last John Deeres were 1988 model 8820's. We switched to Case Combines afterwards and never looked back. I always beleived that 1988 was the last year JD made a good combine...maybe not a comfortable combine or a easy combine to haul..but a good combine. My dislike for 9000 series combines was a personal one. Now, I beleive the last year Case made a decently reliable combine was in 1994..the 1688. I just don't like all that computure chips and elecetric over hydraulic switches. I admit that it has been a long time since I was involved with combines. I still try to keep up on whats new and whats good. I have about 500 combines lying around the house...little 1_64th ones. It's kind of a hobby of mine. I have been very curious how the STS was holding up. I've heard good and less than good. I never heard comments as bad as yours. However, I tend to listen to custom harvester's comments as they portray what is the solid truth about the machine over lots of steady hours, under all sorts of conditions and in lots of crops. I understand how frusterating breakdowns are. The are bad enough when I can fix them. If I had to wait on techincal support to show up, I might have been borderline "postal" by then. I printed up your list of comments and troubles to show some friends and family. The last year we ran our Titan II 8820's, they had over 2000 hrs on them. We decided to keep run them. We had one breakdown which had us down for more than 1_2hr. Infact, I don't believe we had even half the down time you had that one season, the whole 8 years we ran 20 series combines. Good luck next year. CM