Combines Which Combine Do You RecommendIJ

[Kurt]

What are your harvest likeIJ Do you usually have weather problemsIJ Do you like to have it all cut in 2 daysIJ How big are your trucksIJ Just a couple of questions that might help us out to understand what you need. Kurt

 

[Gleamer]

We replaced our M2 with a 52 w_520 flex and 6R30 corn. Have had it for 3 full seasons now, wish we had made the move long before. Uses more fuel per hour but gets twice as much done. Get the cummins, very common and easy to get parts if needed and hold their value better. For us 4wd is a must and makes it turn better when loaded, the rear axles and assembly are heavier eliminating the broken spindles and inherent problems. If I had to do over, would spend a smigion more and went for a 62 with a 525 or 825 flex. A lot more machine for not much more and parts are more common by Agco and aftermarket.. On a good dry 10 hour day in 40 bushel beans we can clip off 70 acres, in corn our limit is what a couple single axle trucks will haul, as soon as you get back with an empty truck you get back in and cut another load.. Watch out, you will need bigger trucks.. Dont look back

 

[Tom_Russell]

Good questions! I would add a couple more---how fast is his dryer and how much wet corn space does he haveIJ

 

[T3]

Harvest season starts the last of August and we try to finish up first of November. Bins are within 2 miles of the farthest farm.We never start corn until it gets to 18% or lower. Usually air dry crop and have enough bin space to handle good crop. Currently use a 700 bu tri-axle dump truck and a 350 bu grain buggy but have 2 400 bu grain trucks that can be used. I don't need to get it out any faster than the 2 M2s just thought 1 combine would equal 1 less operator, 1 less machine to repair, M2s are getting 30+ years old. Thanks!!

 

[bfd]

hate to rain on the parade, so here it goes. you really need to look long and hard at red, green and any other colors around you. AGCO as we speak has and will keep closing good dealships and giving those area's to the cat side of things. AGCO has no clue the scope of aggrevation that's being caused. not that cat cannot service these machines it's just the learning curve and time to learn it. how many of these older machines will not be ran any more once the owners find out it's $85-95 an hour to fix the old girlIJIJIJIJ life of the small farmer is going down the road of an even dimmer lit roadway.

 

[NowGleaner7]

Dealerships are closing in all colors, however in our area we have all 4 (the majors) and people will drive 2 plus hours to get to them. If you are lucky you have 1 near you, if not you will have to drive. Cheers

 

[Silver_Bullet]

Your thinking is right. (one machine instead of two). An R52 would be a perfect fit. Move up as far as you can in years. An R50 would do for your acres but your back 18 years. You would be much happier in the long run with a 10 year old 52 in good shape.

 

[posum]

You may be happy a 52 or 50. The most combine we ever had for the money was a 90 year model r-50. We replaced it with a 2001 r-62. The 50 was hyped as per this site's recomendations;very good performance. The 62 was new ; not much more than the 50. After hyperizing it we were alot happier. also the 62 is alot heavier and not very nimble ; a concern in small fields. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[NDDan]

I know of a guy that run 3500 acres a year of his own crops threw his single R50. Started with wheat and ended in corn or sunflowers with some other crops inbetween. You likely don't or won't have the time frame to work with but I don't see any problem getting it done with R50-52. Nice thing about it is you will find them machines just as repairable friendly as you are used to. Sometimes many years go by when I don't hear from a Gleaner owner for most upkeep is quite basic. Good luck

 

[T3]

Thanks for all the replies! After reading them and talking to my dealer. I'm most likely looking at a R52. I notice the Deutz power is cheaper than the Cummins. Around here the Deutz has a bad reputation. I think it is because of the V8 version. My dealer says the one in the R52 is a good engine. Of course my decision will be based on how good a crop I may have! Thanks again!!