Combines Why are N series so cheapIJIJ

[John]

The N series are cheap due to the fact that they were the first of the rotaries for Gleaner and like all the other brands of that era had MANY UPDATES and BUGS to get worked out. The Series 3 N's(1982 on)are basically the R series til Agco. Deutz only changed the engines. Agco put more strength into many parts with the 2 series. The STS JD's are going thru that now and will be real cheap in a few years on the first 2 or 3 years models too! The series 3 N's or 82 on tend to be holding a better value too, if you go to Fastline.com or Ironsearch.com. I own an N6s3 and it is a great running machine, but if you look at a service manual with all the updates to the N6 prior to serial n5101, I understand why the earlier ones had problems.

 

[Brian]

Your right that appears too cheap. However, what brand of combine does have good resale that is of the late '70's early '80's. I've seen all the brands sell too cheap at some time. We had a neighbor get $3,300 for his 8820 (rough),I've heard of really cheap 1460_80's as well. Most combines of this vintage, regardless of brand seem to sell in a pretty tight range $9,000-$14,000.

 

[Illinois_Gleaner]

Greg, You say cheap but these combines are 20 or nearing 20 years old. And think back to when these were new and what you could buy them for new. In 1980 you could probably by a new N7 BOX for 40 or 50 thousand so.(IJIJIJ) If there still bring 5 to 10 thousand and 20 years old that isnt really cheap . But I think you mean cheap compared to a new one and there I would agree totally. They would still do a lot of work for what they are bringing. Illinois Gleaner

 

[John]

I was part of the 1980 Farm Progress Show for AC and the N7 with a 27'flex and 12-30 corn head listed and was the most expensive combine of the show for $102,000. Put the package together today with the NON hugger head and the old 327 flex and about a quarter of the new price is right for a 20 yr old outfit. look at what a 12-30 hugger costs itself and the new 27'flex heads.

 

[t_b]

A big machine they are. The N7 I was around was a good machine for cutting, but had to be completely rebuilt just about every year. It was the first of its kind and had plenty of problems. When parts started to get kinda worn out, ya better just quit and fix them or it starts doing terrible. It was a lot better than case's rotary! We have an 8820 thats been a whole lot better all around machine but cost in the 20 and 30 thousands now.

 

[John]

Hang on to that 8820! It's the last good JD to be made, hopefully the STS in a couple years will catch up to the quality and preformance of it. Again, the pre-82 N's had more than their share of problems, but the late one's where strong machines. I was around the 8800 at the Farm Progress Show in 1980 against the N7 and the 8800's were nothing to shout about compared to the N7. It spent more time shut down and adjusting and fixing than in the field. They were both running 12-30 heads, thank goodness for the 8820 improvements.