Comparing older combines to new ones

Kurig1@live.com · Mar 13, 2016

I was wondering if anyone can tell me or direct me to where I can find out the efficiency differences in combines, thought of buying a JD 6600, but wondering if I would actually lose money vs paying custom. Does the 6600 lose 1 - bushel to the acre compared to a brand new one? Less or more? I live in north eastern Ohio so soybean yields are average 45 to the acre.

Mike Aylward · Mar 13, 2016

A combine is only as good as it's operator.
A new combine may have some features that
make it easier to get a good sample but the
older machines can still do a very good job
of harvesting. Much of the difference is in
the heads of the newer machines. I've seen
6600's sterilize grain and get all of it.
To get good results it takes a careful
operator and a properly adjusted and
maintained machine, regardless of age. Mike

JD Seller · Mar 13, 2016

The amount of grain lost has very little to do with the age of the combine. It is more of the operator skill and crop conditions.

Kurig1@live.com · Mar 13, 2016

Thank you for your quick response and insight

paul · Mar 14, 2016

Losses come from worn parts and operator errors in setting up and running the machine.

The header can have a big effect, a newer header might not lose as much as an older, less flex able grain or poorly angled corn header. Makes
a much bigger difference in poor or lodged crops.

Holes worn in the tin, or rasps that are worn down will lose you some grain. An older machine is going to have more wear, will you keep it up, or
will your custom harvester fella keep his machine up?

Fan and cylinder settings and the sieve settings will make or lose some grain. That comes with experience and attention to detail.

Just the age of a machine has little relation to it, maybe an old header design is poorer than a newer header design in some situations.

Paul

notjustair · Mar 14, 2016

I remember when we were still using a 1960 Super 92 Massey and all of the neighbors were
getting new Gleaners. I was so jealous. Air Conditioning! About a month after harvest we had to
drive around so grandpa could show me the fields that had more waste growing. There wasn't any
rhyme or reason to it - it was based on the operator and adjustments. That combine we had gave
a perfect sample every time, but it was meticulously maintained and adjusted. I'm looking at
getting an old JD 95 to do small amounts of oats and things - things I add to the mixer when
grinding corn. It's easier for me to get an old combine and have it perfectly set than bother with
changing the 9500 once I get it set for cutting something.

Bobl1958 · Mar 14, 2016

Also depends on how hard you push the combine. Going too fast will cause grain to be thrown over, and sometimes not going fast enough (keeping the machine full) can also cause grain to be lost.

The 6600 is a good machine if it's not worn out and would do you a fine job. It's nice to cut when ever the grain is ready and you feel like doing it instead of waiting on a custom cutter. Bob

big orange · Mar 14, 2016

Man in the seat makes or breaks the combine.

730virgil · Mar 15, 2016

lots of custom operators not all will push machine to the max they get paid if they have big loss or little loss.

Comparing older combines to new ones

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