Combines Too much capacity

[land_Surfer]

Doesn't make much difference really, you simply have to make sure that you have properly sized grain handling, or are in relatively close proximity to the elevator, for the combine(s) you have, or vice versa. I have had to purchase_hire additional trucks, increase both grain leg and wet-can capacity due to the purchase of a lexion 485R. These are concessions I was willing to make to increase producitvity and drive down per acre costs. If you have a combine that is always waiting due to the lack of grain handling capacity, you most likely need to step up grain handling more so than purchase a smaller combine (I don't know too many willing to go smaller on the combine side). My farm's equipment size and quantity is based upon time not farm size, but farm size is the major factor on time though. I try to follow a strict guideline whereby all planting is done within a 12-15 day window and harvesting is complete in a 28-30 day window.

 

[thud]

If it were me I would go to a slightly smaller machine and keep it running. If you can save $50K by dropping a size in machine and keep it running why wouldnt youIJ Your labour and to some extent fuel usage will be relatively equal whether your monster machine is sitting idling or the smaller machine is running up and down the field. Maintenence will be relatively equal, the smaller machine will perhaps wear out a year earlier but at that point the savings in payments( to purchase the bigger machine) may cover the costs of repairs to the smaller machine. Too many guys are out to impress by having the biggest and best, and it will come back to bite them someday,put a sharp pencil to it before you try to impress the neighbours.

 

[dino]

I agree. Are we farming to impress the neighbors, or to make a livingIJ There's more to life than working to make payments on new_big equipment. They don't give out prizes for the shed with the best and newest equipment sitting in it all winter.