Combines TR 85 basic evaluation question

We have had a TR 85 around for the last 15 years or so. We replaced the cat engine with a reman but I blame that more on the previous owner maintenance plan. Other than that we haven't had too many big problems. One common repair is that sometime you'll end up repairing the angle gear box for the bubble up auger. Around $500 last time. Other than that, just the usual belts, bearings, chains,etc that are normal wear for any combine. The first 85 we had, the unloading auger always stuck. We finally took the ring off, cleaned out all the gunk, and grease the living snot out of it. Greasing those zerks is a must! After that we never had any problem,(unless you count the time my dad tried to go past a tree with the unloading auger still out, twice). Ive never had any problem with the rotor gear boxes but I'm pretty fanatical about checking the oil level. Their not as fancy as the new ones but she'll do a good job and put out a very good grain sample.

I agree, good honest farm machine. Easy to set, great sample, reasonable capacity. Nothing overly complicated about them. We went from a TR85 to a 9500 and I had nightmare of a time trying to learn to set it and get the sample I was happy with after having the TR.

fixing the unloading auger should be easy, just take it off and look at it, the rotor gear boxes should not have needed replacement at all, this machine may have been abused, otherwise they are good, not fancy, but solid, we like our 86 much better than the 85, but the 85 is cheaper. around here you can get a decent 85 with heads for under $10k (s mn) watch out for worn bubble up auger, burnt bearings_gearboxes, very loose chains, chewed up belts, burnt pulleys and torn up cab, these things may show abuse. good luck

Good to hear that the machine has had strong reviews. It has been years since Ive personally been around the machine. I use to work harvest for my extended family who has owned it from new and now I am buying into the farmland. If it was abused, then it was unintentional because when I was there we followed the book as far as maintenance. I do know that darn gear box has blown twice. I was a part in getting that box in and out of the seed bin the first time. Terrible job... What would cause that gearbox to failIJ Perhaps it has something to do how the machine was adjusted or operated. I also remember that we had a time with overheating and had to modify the radiator to keep the chaff from plugging it up. That fix helped. As far as the auger, we have had that off several times, greased the heck out of it, even changed the location of the pull on the hydrolic ram. Its worked marginal at best. In any case, I am encouraged to look at the machine further from what Ive read in response. The man who owns it has been talking to a scraper who said he would give $3500 for it. So Im sure it will be priced right for me. Alley

Does the auger not want to go back inIJ If so it may be a weak hydraulic pump! Just went through the whole deal with them. That Cat alone is worth $3500.

I remember that the auger would extend out without a problem but then would bind up when it needed to fold up. If someone would push on it, we could get it started to fold and then it would fold up. We really never got it to work smooth. Might be a hydrolic pump... yet all the other systems seemed to work fine, but I will keep that in mind. Thanks Alley

My TR86 did the same thing till I greased the living crap out of it and do it everyday. Thankfully they put all the zerks in a row on a support brace rather than on the ring itself.

The auger on our old 70 was real doggy. It got to where it wouldn't extend until we turned the steering wheel to lock one way then it would move. Must of been some kind of diverter problem but we just lived with it.

The auger on our old 70 was real doggy. It got to where it wouldn't extend until we turned the steering wheel to lock one way then it would move. Must of been some kind of diverter problem but we just lived with it.

Sorry about the doubles. Maybe I'll get the hang of this someday!