Looks like my custom harvesting days are over.I have been self employed since 2000 but starting Monday I am going back to a job working for someone else.Just like every other farmer out there I have been paying out lots of money to keep my operation going but getting little in return. Both of my old Fords have got a lot of hours on them and need new parts that I can't get out of my boneyard.Claas has went up at least double on new parts in the last few years so new parts really bite when you have to have them.I have debated on buying a newer machine(even considered another brand) but I just cant make it pencil out. The Fords are taking a LOT of my time just to get them ready to go for each crop.This year there is hardly any wheat planted around us and wheat is where I really made the most clear money.It has been a fun ride with them but I must say that it really is a relief on me not to have to worry if they will be ready to roll this season.I see guys all around me with big newer $250,000 combines And I still wonder how in the heck they make it work out for a profit especially when they only cut around 1500 acres a year.My hats off to them but I still wonder how they come out doing that when I basically had my own parts store,Two cheap combines,Covered 2500-3000 acres a year,Did all of my own mechanic work,and still showed only a small profit the past few years.I will ALWAYS visit this site but all of the rebuilding combine pics and stories from me will probably be over.What really sucks is that three years ago I could have sold all my combine stuff for around $20,000 scrap iron but now it is only worth around $3000 to $5000.Scrap is at two and a half cents a pound now. I have to say that I really feel less stressed out now than I have in a LONG time.I am ready to move foward and leave the combines behind.