55 John Deere Combine

Hey guys. I am kinda new to the combine scene. I have been lurking around here for a while, but never hand an opportunity to buy. I have come across the unit in this picture. I don't have any information as of right now as far as condition, year, if it runs or anything. I am in the process of getting all that. Just from the looks of it what do you guys think? What does the 55 weigh? I have a 12K Gooseneck trailer. Just curious if this would fit on it. I would like to hobby farm some day. I am not sure if there is a grain table with it, but does this have a quicktach feeder house and how hard would it be to swap between the corn head and the grain table? Thanks guys. I love reading this forum and learning from you all.

Here is a little better quality. I blew it up a tad...

Kris A NC

It looks like that machine has the 235 corn head on it so it doesn"t have a quick-tach feeder house on it. My 55 is the same way. Changing from the grain head to the corn head isn"t too bad but I"ve never had the opportunity to use a quick-tach system so I don"t know any better either.
For small acreage I think a 55 is a good machine, but parts can become an issue to find sometimes. If you are close to a Deere dealer and a bone yard you might be ok.
As far as fitting on a trailer, my book says that a 55 with a 14 foot grain head weighs 9800 pounds. I know that my machine is about 11 foot to the top of the cab so trailer deck height might be an issue hauling one. I drove mine the 45 miles to get it home.
The main things to look at other than running is look at the bottom of the machine. Check and make sure that the augers aren"t rusted out, grain tank etc. If you are handy with sheet metal and a welder and there is good metal left you can fix just about anything then.
One last thing. That corn head will only do wide rows. If you want to do 30" corn you will need to look for a 334/335 head. I set my corn on 36" rows with a 234 head and I have to make sure I leave plenty of space between planter passes or I end up catching the next row with the tires.
Hope this helps some

I noticed there is another JD combine under the shelter. Try to get the better of the two. I bought my first combine this year and it has been a learning experiance. Good luck and you must have patience.

hi there kris,i want to do hobby farming too .just be patient, all the equipment that i have is old too and most of it i had to rebuilt.the guys and (nutsaboutcombines)girls here are real good people and very helpfull.you are not alone. gaston

I'd say the combine in the shed is a 45 with a 234 head on it. The main one in the picture has a 235 head on it.

Just out of curiosity, what in the picture tells you the one in the shed is a 45? Could you explain the head numbers again....234 I recall is something like 2 for two row, 3 for the third series and 4 for 40" row. is that accurate?

Kris A NC

Kris, shoot me an email. I would be glad to help you look at it if its not too far off. I could show you where some problem spots are on my 95 that should be the same. There is a 313 corn head near me for sale that is 3 row narrow.

Kris, the "2" in 234 does mean it is a two-row head. The "34" is the series number and has nothing to do with whether or not it is wide row or narrow. The 3 and 4-row heads could be wide or narrow row. The 3-row was actually adjustable between narrow and wide while the 4-row heads were always dedicated to their row spacings. The 6-row head was narrow row only. The main difference between a "34" and "35" series heads is the points. The later "35" heads had longer snouts to get under corn better. That is what makes identifying the head in the shed a little easier. If you look you can see the difference between the two heads pictured. Inside is a 234 and outside is a 235. Hope this helps a little. Mike

I can tell the details on the combine in the shed like this: The corn head is a 234 - notice the back panel on it vs. the back panel on the 235 outside. The "see-thru" mesh on the back of the 235 was an improvement over the 234 as well as the snout design pointed out by someone else already. I can tell the combine is a 45 because it sits lower to the ground (notice that the bottom of the cab is about even with the back of the corn head compared to the 55 ouside which sits quite a bit above it) and the top cab door is shorter than the one on the 55.

Nathaniel,
Where are you located? If I remember correctly you are around here in NC. The combine is actually in Iowa at my cousins grandfather-in-law's place...

Kris A NC

JD-Tom, Mike,
Thank you for your responses. I understand now on how you identified them. I appreciate the education. I always love learning new stuff. I am just starting to get into combines so I am a little green and have some more to learn. I don't know what it is, but I am just a fan of the 55/95/105 series of combine.

Kris A NC

Im in Nw missouri Chris and if youd need id be glad to run up and look at that combine with you depending on where it is in Iowa. Might even be able to help you get it running and load it. Harvest is done around here and dont have anything to do lol

WOW... I won't be looking at that one. I live in Landis which is like 20mi north of Charlotte. That corn head I told about may come with a combine if the guy decides to sell it. Its gonna need some work but its shedded. You are welcome to come look at my 95 and I can show you where to look for trouble spots on these machines. Theres still a few 55s in my neck of the woods yet for parts.

I know where landis is. I used to live in Kannapolis just off of exit 60. I am now close to Harrisburg just off of exit 36/485. I would like to come by some time and check things out. Maybe we can arrange something after the Holidays. I will be headed back to Iowa for the Christmas break.

Kris A NC

Thanks TDS, I will keep that in mind. I am not sure yet on what they are asking or if I can even make the purchase since I am in NC and they are in Iowa. I hope to move to the midwest someday again, but not sure when that will be. If I can't buy them and any of you are interested in them I will pass along the info. I know you guys would take care of them.

Kris A NC

Just let me know. Not sure what work is gonna be the next few weeks as I work out of town. I am home most weekends. When ever your ready. 704-239-5907

Do you really want that combine? It looks like it has been setting outside for a long time. Keep looking untill you find a good shed kept machine. I bought a 95 and a 55 off E-bay three years ago, they are both extra sharp and cost me $1,000 each. These were both 69 model corn specials with bean platforms. Do not get into a hurry to buy, shop around and find a good machine. You won't be sorry.