Combines with all the hoopla the past couple days

I think times are tough allover for machinery companies especially here in Australia at the moment.Deere's marketing manager for Australia and New Zealand Jim Bullock has just stated that Deeres tractor sales have dropped 20% in the last quarter and that dealers have slashed prices to try and move some stock. He also stated that if we don't get good rain by april,may you could double or treble that figure for the worse.I'm sure the other companies would be in the same boat.You can buy harvesters here that people bought for the 2002 wheat harvest that haven't done an acre.

Gosh johnboy, here's hoping your weather turns around. Weather is weird everywhere, but when looking at historical data, it has always been that wayIJ What is a normal year anywayIJ Maybe we will get the chance to see a normal year soon! JD

I think the worst thing Fiat did was acquire Case IH and merge it with NH. That company has never had a reputation for financial stability. In my opinion NH was on the rise and reporting profit. Now they lost the Genie, the Versatile, and who knows what else and a whole lot of cash. You watch, the Case IH line of equipment will come to the forefront, NH will fade and then the company will go broke and get bought! NH was a lot better off before the merger, Case IH benefitted more than anyone. What do you think JDIJ later, TR

I agree with your assessments TR. NH was definitely much better off before the merger as you said. They where on the rise, between the Genesis and Versatile they had made great strides! By the tractor line taking off this also gave a big boost to the combine line. Yep, I'm afraid it's all downhill from here for the NH lineIJ And believe it or not, the CR is adding to it's demise! Think of all the custom harvestors who will give up the NH line because they would have to purchase all new transporting equipment to go with the CR's. Now add in the rise in cost for the average farmer and what will you haveIJ Nada! JD

Thanks JD for someone finally mentioning how upset us custom harvesters will be because we will have to get new bigger trailers to haul these things. I mentioned this to a NH rep. he just smiled and said you cutters will have to adapt. I think Holland made a huge mistake with the CR line I hope Case doesn't do the same,their 2388 is the only rotory combine left that us cutters will work with, for now.

What is wrong with the gleaner line.

For your info there is very few custom cutters with New Hollands.

you know something, your probably right turboIJ I guess that whole "Harvest Support" crew that NH employs and outfits is make believe, ehIJ Probably less than 5 outfitters running NH's but we all know how much those NH's break down and how poorly made they are, rightIJ That's why it takes all those NH semi's out there chasing the harvest so as to keep those five outfits going! lOl! JD

I see a different perspective. First of all the NH custom harvestors are quite numerous around the country especially the wheat and malt barley harvest. Harvest support is very important to us and NH. They only have two semi's with parts which are mostly components. They trouble shoot, they have trainee's from all arond the globe, they demo machines, they are looking for ways to improve the machines, and most of all they are our security blanket. Joe heads up that group and he is the best. You need to remeber that as you follow the harvest you will find that along the way when the harvest is going stong yo may spend acouple of hours every morning taking a number to get parts from a JD dealer. NH doesn't have too many dealers, but the NH operators I know seldom need anything more than some sickle sections. All I have ever carried for parts has been a box of belts ad some sickle parts. My guess is that with all the parts inventory at JD dealers they have way more parts for each combine than NH. Most of the updates in the last 10 years have come thru harvest support and custom operators. My guess is that sometime during the harvest Harvest Support talks to almost every harvestor out there.We have sessions every year with NH engineers on what improvements are needed and whats working and what isn't. You'd be flabergasted at some of the things custom harvestors have tried.

Jd, Well why did Floyds harvesting go from green to the Newhollands. He has a very impressive outfit. As far as the support trailers go all companies have them and they are a very good deal not only do they have parts but experience and knowledge. As soon as the CRs get out and show their thing I think Newholland will make a comeback they look like one awesome machine. All poeple can do it critisize them and try to pick them apart wait till they prove themselves. If New Hollands products said John Deer youd be sayin they are the neatest thing since sliced bread...