Gleaner L

Me again. Still shopping Gleaners. I really liked the F3 that I had to pass on last month. Latest find is a model L and I was wondering how this compares to the F3? I have not seen it yet as there is an inspection day coming up and I will go then. Trying to do my homework and I did find a reference to the earliest L models being not well thought of although it did not say why. I have a call into the seller to find out what year this L is that I am going to look at. Any comments appreciated.

The L was the biggest conventional, an honest 6 row machine.

I would much rather have a 2 or 3 series in any of the machines.

I had an F2 w/four row head. When you got towards 180-200 bu. corn it was slow going. The worst part was having to dump on each end of the field!

But it depends on what you're doing/what your goals are. In good shape, they're all good machines.

I have been confused about this for a while because some of these machines were manufactured and sold at the same time. I have seen references to the L, M, and F being concurrent models but no idea at this point what the difference is. So the L is just a larger capacity machine? I'm still askin and learnin!

I think the M and L were the first combines to have electric over hydraulics cab controls. And I know from several ex Gleaner owners around here they were nothing but trouble. Seems like they had them figured out by 2 series.

From smallest to largest K, F, M, L.
Josh

A/K are the 2 row machines. K is the newest. 10 foot bean head I think?

C/G/F are the 4 row machines (they did make a 6 row narrow for the F2 and F3, but that dont work in 150+ bu corn...) Up to 15 foot head. F is the newest.

M is a 6 row machine. Up to 20 foot head. It shares many parts with the L, just is a bit skinnier than the L series....

L is an 8 row machine. Up to as big a head they made back then, 25?

With a 2 behind it is newer and mostly has some nice upgrades and more capacity.

With a 3 behind it is the latest model with the most refinements, perhaps a tad bigger or stronger engine.

Hydro drive started late in the 2 lines as an option, assuming it works that hydro tranny makes combining a lot more fun.

Now, these comments are in general. For example, they renamed the Gleaner F to an F2 in 1977, but then added the electrical controls, hyd auger fold, and a bigger better capacity shoe to the 1978 model, still calling it an F2.

But in general, the above.

By now an L is getting to be a very old combine, an L2 or L3 would have more capacity and features..... But an L of any age is far bigger than an F, the L won't even fit down 4 30 inch rows you will be at 6 or 8 rows.

Why they picked those letters in that order is a total mystery to me......

Paul

I'll post that one in my personal archives, should be very useful in the coming weeks! Much appreciate all the replies!

One issue re the M and L was the early shaft monitor electrical path was thru the bearings and shaft. Rotating shaft/bearing carrying electrical signal arced going thru the balls- early bearing failure. Was told this at dealer seminar by factory reps-- that"s why monitor on 2 & 3 series used the rotating disc with square holes/pickup unit by disc. Plus, plain M/L is very old machine....early 70s? Match the combine and header to your acreage. Small head on big machine......can"t keep the machine full.

http://www.acgleaneronline.com/glequipment.html#fifty
Check out this resource for Gleaner information.

Hummm, thought I had typed in the A/ E/ K all were 2 row machines, one didnt get in my message.

There was an L4 made, very rare, kinda Mexican made as I recall, was basically using the L3 parts but had a bigger shaft in it and bearings that was a weak point on the L3. That would be the newest of these letter series, but you won't find one, only a few ever in the USA.

Paul

Dang...that's a useful thing. I bookmarked it. Thanks!

Appreciate all the help. Don't think I want this early L. Going to hold out for a nice F2 or F3. More my size and sounds like they may have fewer bugs. Thanks much!

Hydro was available on all F,G,M,L combines.

I agree. I tried twice to reply last evening but this computer ate both of them. My patience was over taxed at that point, and it was either smash it, or turn it off!

My 12 year old 'puter died on me last November. I mourned for the thing because, no matter how much I thought I had backed up, I still lost things. Now this new one is really unbelievably fast. It is astounding...you really have to try one to believe it.

I still have never driven a hydro. Still not real clear on what the difference is. Seems to me on a little Ford utility from the 90's I looked at there was just one pedal that rocked back and forth and no traditional clutch and shift. But that is a very tired guy trying to remember something from 20 years ago.

A combine will typically have a 3 or 4 speed transmission, and a variable speed mechanism through moving pulleys, changeable on the go. You still have a conventional clutch to stop/start/ shift the trans. with.
You might get .5 to 3 MPH in first. 2.5 to 6 MPH in second. 6 to 12 MPH in third, etc.
With the hydro, usually a lever, you don't need a clutch, because you can stop, and reverse travel with the lever. Speeds are 0 to whatever the gear will give you, similar to above.