moving old combines

sparkiefarmer · May 23, 2022

If you were going to bring a machine home that seemed to run OK, but has sat for 20+ years; what precautions do you take? These machines werent really built to run the roads when they were new, am I chancing tearing something up on an old machine by trying to take it on a 6 hour full throttle drive? Professionals want as much as I paid for the machine to move it 100km. Don't blame them, just saying that route will cut in to my fun budget more than I'd like.

Matt in Oz · May 23, 2022

Hi Sparkie

Don't know where you are, the machine you are thinking of moving. Some things you may need to consider. How reliable is the combine, engine, belts , hydro what ever system it has? Do you need to register or insure it to be road legal? Is the machine oversize - road regulations. Is there a front or platform with it you have to move? This could go great for you or be a total nightmare. Not pouring cold water just some things you need to think about.

Dieseltech · May 23, 2022

IF it runs and drives well I'd drive it. Dealer I worked for years ago did not have a trailer for combines so they were driven far as 100 miles. Does it run now after setting so long? MIGHT need a lot of work getting it running again. I have also towed them home backward using a home made hitch on the rear axle, disconnecting the steering cylinder and clamping a steering bar in place.

Leroy · May 23, 2022

Is it a belt drive? Belts setting like that I would be afraid of going to pieces within the first 30 mile. So could you get new belts and install them before the start of the trip. They would be assured of flat spots where the belt tightners would have kept them squeesed on the pullys and if belt held up there would be a lot of vibration. Even think about replacing fan water pump belt before starting even if a hydrostatic drive.

Richard G. · May 23, 2022

Local Allis dealer I grew up with traded for a big Gleaner years ago.
It was in central VA and he drove it to NW SC.
Pulled into a motel that night with the combine to get some sleep.
Richard in NW SC

olgentdc · May 23, 2022

the belts will not make a 50 mile trip, they will last on your farm harvesting numerous crops , but not cold start wide open down the road you go ,i trailerd 3 here by putting steering axle on my car trailer and chained accordingly and rode the drive axle on the road. i would not do a 12 ft grain head on the combine .

caterpillar guy · May 24, 2022

A friend of mine has pulled them with a tractor hitched to the back end of them. He connects the steering if hydraulic to the tractor and steers with the tractor lever as he goes around corners and corrects on the road. He's done a couple that way. I also hauled one for him.

caterpillar guy · May 24, 2022

If you decide to pull them disconnect the shafts to each wheel before you start. Don't want the lever to drop into gear while in route.

Farmer Fudd · May 25, 2022

Sparkie,
I towed a M-H 82 about 30 miles backwards using a car dolly. Worked great! Just had to watch out so the head didn't hit any mail boxes.

sparkiefarmer · May 28, 2022

This unit is a 1060 Case and I won the auction, so now I have to get it home!
I couldnt get a new drive belt on hand for the journey, so I've made a hitch to bolt to the back axle and we'll see how she tows!

Thanks for the advice everyone.

David from Kansas · Jun 3, 2022

Showing my age here but oh, well. When I first started farming we lived 50 miles from where I grew up and we would use Dad's two 55 JD combines. We would road them back and forth twice a year, with grain headers on; for wheat harvest and again in the fall to cut milo. Did this for several years. Remember having to leave one of them overnight at a farm along the way because it started running rough and didn't want to have to abandon it along the road.

MeanGene1 · Jul 24, 2022

Remembering our 91 and 93 combines with the belt drive, we drove them everywhere back in the day, but I wouldn't trust those old belts after sitting very far. Even when fairly new, there was always a can of belt grip in the toolbox. And if you did roach a belt, might be kinda hard to find a replacement these days. I was also amazed that one belt ran the whole machine, no solid driveline. I was driving the old 93 for quite a while before I was sent down the road with the planetary-steer 91. 11 mph and 10 years old down the state highway. We had a pair of brothers who were State Troopers, and also owned a Ski-Doo dealership, so they knew me very well, one of them saw me one day, snuck up on me and lit off the gumball machine and siren, yelling GET THAT GD THING OFF THE ROAD!!!- he thought it was real funny, but scared the schidt out of me

tlock0331 · Jul 31, 2022

its a 1060? thats not all that big, put it on a gooseneck, tie it down and go

moving old combines

sparkiefarmer

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Matt in Oz

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Dieseltech

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Leroy

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Richard G.

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olgentdc

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caterpillar guy

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caterpillar guy

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Farmer Fudd

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sparkiefarmer

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David from Kansas

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MeanGene1

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tlock0331

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