Combines White 9700

Adam, My neighbor bought a 9700 new in 81' and just backed it in the fence row last year. That thing had probably 10,000 hrs on it. As for size they were as big as anything today except the cat. Im sure they would handle a 30 ft head and 12 row corn head as far as capacity. As for price in my area you could buy them for a song and sing all the way home. I bet you could buy one with say a 20 to 22 ft head for 15 to 20 thousand. Around here. Dont forget they were really heavy. I don't know what type soils you have but you would have to have RWA on one in my area.My neighbor still runs 2 and his boy runs 1. John Ferguson

Ran an 8590 Massey this fall which is basically the same thing as the 9700. lots of capacity, I believe that it will run with most combines currently in production. When I was shopping around the things I heard most often as to common problems were,the bolts that hold the harmonic balancer on the end of the crankshaft can fail and result in the damper getting loose on the crank, and the tourque arm that holds the rotor gear box can break. The loose damper can ruin the damper and the keyway in the crank or in extreme cases can break the nose of the crank off. If the torque arm fails the gearbox will try to spin with the rotor, this raises hell with the tin work in the back of the machine and can wreck the gearbox case. I have also heard that the older CAV injection pumps did not hold up too good, though they are considerably less expencive to repare than the Bosch pumps that replaced them. Hope this helps.

These combines could use a 30ft. header or larger and they had unbelievable capacity in corn. If a person turned up the horsepower to 320, which is no problem, this combine will stay with the 485 Cat. The later model 9720 or the Massey Ferguson 8590 that had the changes or updates the 9700 didn't originally have and some of the things you can change on these combines now for better performance, make these combines perform unbelievably with tremendous capacity.

This model became the MF_White 9720 (which is more HP). I don't the n MF changed it too, but they made them with less HP. Only certain headers fit the rotary combines (the convential and rotary combines have different header hook-ups). Alot of parts for them can be found at wreckers. But not all the parts from a 9700 and 9720 are inter-changeable. They sure have good capacity in tough conditions. Funny thing about these machines that they have the AFX style rotor intake that the Case-IH have. But White had that type of technology back in the late 70's already. There a alright machine, they'll break down every once and awhile (but what machine doesn't). Hope this helps.

The mf number is 8590. Headers from the 9700_9720_8590 will fit also the headers from the new mf rotaries will fit like the 8570 and 8780 the 9000 mf are the gleaner hook ups. They have huge capasity and will move right along. They are like all brands if properly looked after they will last for a long time,if they have never seen a wrench or a grease gun then you are looking for trouble. R72

They used the 640 v8 perkins for power and the drive pullies were a bit of an issue now and then as well as the electric clutch assy for the header and thresher engagement. The engine mounted hydraulic pump did most of the units in our area as the pump body would split and spray oil on the hot exhaust manifold and get the marshmellows out cuz its roasting time.

If you are needing a bish like adapter from Massey head to White rotary combine, I have one I would sell you cheap.

9700's were a machine ahead of their time. large capacity. However were plagued with many problems. Released too early. The 9720 were a much better machine with many of the original problems rectified. Have several still running, in our area. Unfortunate during this time period white was in financial difficulty. Would be interested in knowing if the 8590 Massey had good reviews. Any comments would be appreciated

I applaud anyone who cares enough about this humongous combine to actually buy one just for their collection. As JW said, this machine was faced not only by a bankrupt parent corporation, but the one which bought it [Massey Combine Corp] was no better at keeping their head above water! Simply put, this big old combine just never got a chance to really fly. Good luck to you and your big buddy. Keep us all here posted on his progress and any harvesting.

would you buy an 8590 today at the right price. what specific areas of problems could we expectIJ With some good old enginuity and a good mechanic would a complete rebuild of machine be cost effectiveIJ What about parts. Would a late model 8570 be a smarter purchaseIJ Thanks J.W.