2underage

Well-known Member
There is a Gleaner M2 coming up for auction this weekend and I am considering bidding on it. Can someone fill me in on the pros and cons of these machines. I am aware that new parts will need to be purchased from the dreaded Agco but are there any other concerns that I should be aware of.
 
The general thought is they are built a little lighter so you might be fixing on a Silver combine a little more often, but they are -way- easier to work on than some of the more popular colors. There are fewer belts on the same shaft, and access to the shafts and belts and bearings is a lot easier.....

And in my area, the 3 dealers an hour away seem to stock lots more parts for that era machine then the more popular color dealerships do. Two of my forends bought Green combines, the following year the dealership was bought out and realigned, and my friends have to drive over a half hour for their parts too; and typically the parts they need are not at the closest of the chain store so they either drive farther, or wait an extra day than I do for my SIlver parts. It is a bit ironic from their happy thoughts when they came home with their combines.....

Just the typical conventional walker machine wear points, see if it?s a good machine or worn down.

Paul
 
I have been around a few of those. We used a G Gleaner which is an older, smaller version. They are smaller and not quite the same as a conventional machine. The cylinder is mounted low by the header and uses inertia and momentum to throw all the material up to a raddle chain that then takes it up and a then another throws the large stuff up on the straw walkers and the same motion as a convential takes place. They really do well with small grains but can be rough on corn and beans if not set correctly. Overall a good solid 4-6 row machine. If you need a combine would not hesitate to own one.
 
Had one for 27 years, bullet proof machine. Easy to work on. had a 630 corn head only had a 13 foot bean head could have easily handled 18 foot. A lot poorer weed control when i bought it new. Not real fast but combined 500 plus acres a year. finally traded for a r50.
 
Late series M2 are very good machines. Lots of used parts and I have no problem getting new parts mainly belts bearings etc. From
Agco. 301 engine may be a little underpowered with 6 rows a full bin going uphill, but fine in most conditions. Check the concave door for good square fitment to the concave, some get bent over the years and a bent door results in loss of capacity. Look at transition from floor of bin to the anger swivel, a wear point esp. In beans.Check raddle slats on both raddles for missing or bent slats and see if the chain is snug. Easy to set, operate and repair. Good luck,
Ben
 
Check the unloading auger were it swivels. The unloading auger will sometimes fall off on these combines if crap is left in there to rot and the balls fall out.
 
I have a late M2 4WD, and have run a G for many years. Good bomb proof machine. The unloading auger can just fall off one day if it has spent much time outside and the balls it swivels on get rusty. I had mine splash on the ground first time I used the machine. Some had a auto control to swing the auger when the bin got full. Very poor idea. What if you are next to a woods or power pole? Mine had the orifice removed so the auger would go out faster than factory. First bin of corn was all it took.. I would only buy a hydro transmission. A weak hydro will whine real loud when trying to move in a high gear. If it has seen a lot of mud the spline between the tranny and drive unit will be sloppy, but hard to test. Most times the brakes don't work, but if you get the hydro you can use the trans as a brake. Over all good machine to own. Al
 
Thanks for your comments. I will look the machine over good and if not to badly misused I will bid on it. I will post if I do buy it.
 
I bought a 79 M2 corn plus Hydro with a new deutz allis 315 head last fall. I really like it, had a F2 diesel before it but the M2 is quite a bit bigger and the Hydrostat is so much nicer than a variable speed. Mine will be getting some attention in the winter or summer to bring it up to top condition hopefully. 301 turbo runs great, bit hard to start but plug it in and fires right up. Biggest thing I am finding with the conventional gleaners is the Lack of heads, especially flex heads. something to take into consideration. I really like the gleaner for ease of access to work on it, compared to a massey or deere hidden under all the side panels you have to unbolt.

It is an older machine so it will surely need some work belts/chains etc but I really like them.
 
I started with a gas F and 13 foot head, eventually got to an F3 with 15 foot head, then an M3 and L3 with 20 foot heads.

Sure seems like the M3 handles a 20 foot head, would be hard to keep it full with a 15 foot. But then maybe I don?t grow good beans.... :)

Paul
 
The M series combines had and still do have very good ratings from there owners.The main down fall as stated is finding good flex grain heads not worn out.Parts are still able to be found.Look at the augers and raddle chains for wear.Good luck.
 
Ran M-2 and 3's from 1978 -2000, take care of those combines, they'll take care of you. In 22 years had about an hour of downtime. There is a long and short shoe M-2, think the 77-78 or maybe 79 were short after that long. Hillside blower is a plus if you farm hillsides. They used 2 different 301 engine, one was inter cooled one not, 130 vs 145 hp.
 

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