[mx270a]

So tell me, if you were a design engineer at Case (or a competitor), what would you want in a combine? As a farmer, what pisses you off and wish would be fixed already. Do you want a machine in the 2344 size range again since the 8010 is too large for your operation? Do you want the 8010 cab on a 2388? Maybe you've got some revolutionary idea to incorportate on the existing machines? Tell us what you think.

My thought for this thread was inspired by caseihmech over on the "No more 88 series??" thread. I don't know if CNH brass will read this, but maybe there is a chance. We'll call this "customer feedback". Maybe I'm dreaming, but this thread might just shape the future of agriculture in some small way.

-Lance


Note: I'll let you guys put some stuff up for a couple days, then I'll post some of my ideas. I want to hear what you guys have to say first.

 

[casefarmer]

Well it does sound like they are makeing some good improvements on the 2588

The last two years the spreaders on back have had a curved piece to them and its not working all that well

you literally can get 2-3 ft of junk on the back tires..

So i switched them around and it seems to be working better

So hopefully sometime before that combine is done they figure out how to keep the back axel from building up

Clean Grain Elevator clutch needs beefed up...

Faster unloading rate

I still like the cab..alot....just give me a color monitor

Power going to the gps reciever all the time...not this turn the key on for 10 min or 15 and wait for signal to start in every time

They also should have changed the lock down on the 2388's and heads a long time ago

Those two latches under the feederhouse work...but the 8010 design off to the side is alot safer...

The option for 4 Hydralic Lift Cylanders (sorry on Spelling)

thats about it..

Theyve made some great changes the last 4 years or so on the air system and back in the engine compartment and with the AFX Rotor

Hopefully they keep up the good work

 

[doorknob]

A component machine built on a "real" frame.

 

[anteater6788]

First off I think they need to work on making them more durable, heavier augers, better bearings, thicker sheet metal and the like. An extra $5,000 worth of steel would probably at least double the life of most of the wear parts on the combine.

A single point connection of the head hydrualics and electrics would be very nice as well plus latches that don't require laying under the head to use.

Better lights, I think the 8010's offer an HID light package but the 2500s should also offer it.

A yield monitor that would use GPS to figure the swath width on the go so you don't have to manually change it on point rows. If the monitor was programed for a 30' head it would use that measurement unless the GPS had recorded a previous pass closer than that, if the last pass was 15' away then it would figure the swath width at 15' like most of the mapping software does.

More responsive header control systems, possibly even using sonar sensor's that would read in front of the head so the combine could react before a change needed to be made. Current systems react as a change is needed but with harvest speeds getting faster and faster the current systems are often running at ground speeds twice of what they were designed for.

 

[bleedred]

I would like to see centralized greasebanks like the lexions have standard on Red combines. I would also like the new Agco unloading system... that is really neat looking. Get the autosteers in the cart and combine to talk to each other so all you have to do is speed up or slow down and always be in the middle of the cart. ( grandpa just can't get the hang of the bigger equipment anymore) About all i can think of right now

 

[caseihmech]

Everyone is bringing up some good things that I wish company heads should see some time. A lot of customers in my area might want a 2388/2366 with out all the electric goodies on it, like auto temp control, but keep A/C and heat, you could mfg a machine with out all the relays and switchs, handles to control the header, reel lift, unloader, and that could cheapen the price when some don't want all the bells and whistles. I realize some things they do in the wiring is for safety, but did we throw common sense away.

 

[koskid]

Make a combine with articulated steer, so I could harvest around corners, and keep the rows on center.

 

[mx270a]

Quote:Make a combine with articulated steer, so I could harvest around corners, and keep the rows on center.

I think your logic is flawed. An articulated rig would have it's steering axis (pivot point) behind the front axle, where as with the current design, that axis is right in the center of the front axle.

Now a smart crab-steer system might work rather well, however, that is some expensive axle stuff to replace the solid front axle that combines have currently.

-Lance

 

[doorknob]

Quote:
Quote:Make a combine with articulated steer, so I could harvest around corners, and keep the rows on center.

I think your logic is flawed. An articulated rig would have it's steering axis (pivot point) behind the front axle, where as with the current design, that axis is right in the center of the front axle.

Now a smart crab-steer system might work rather well, however, that is some expensive axle stuff to replace the solid front axle that combines have currently.

-Lance

Actually if you think about it, it would be quite easy and not so expensive to do as one would think. The current final drive reducers are the limiting factor. And they are some old technology anyway. One does'nt have to mount the wheel directly on the final. In simple terms, think of an old 4x4 pickup with a straight axle and locking hubs. The wheel is mounted to spindle attatched to the axle. The drive shaft goes through the hollow spindle to the hub which then transmitts the power back inward to the wheel. The final could be attatched where the hub is on the pickup axle example. This way you could beef the spindle up even more without having to develop an entirely new final, and you could put the drive in the middle of the reducer making it easy to build it into a steering axle.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[farmertony]

a 8010 with quadtrac tracks and some more smoke and a blonde to ride along

 

[cowgirlchaser]

I'll second that one about the 8010 with tracks farmertony.....and the Blonde too

 

[anteater6788]

Also would radio controls built into the steering wheel be too much to ask?

 

[combiness]

Oddly enough, I do agree here with Disgusted8010. I've seen what combines can do outside their functions as just harvesters. They are incredible powerhouses on wheels! I'm not suggesting that we all go out and hitch our plows to our combines, but in reality, a combine can already be made to pick up some of the off season chores traditionally left to tractors or utility vehicles.

By the way, back in the early 1970's, Farm Journal featured a story about a man who did basically just what you're talking about, Disgusted. The combine was an International Harvester 403 and it actually worked a semi-mounted planter. No, the combine was not chopped or ruined in any way. It was simply adpted to work with this planter, and when all the planting was done, it was removed and the 403 was back to normal. Pretty slick!

Most combines are quite easily multi-tasked without having to destroy them as combines.

 

[mx270a]

I've also heard of a combine (CaseIH with the rotor) being adapted to a snow blower. The guy took the rotor and feeder chain out, and put a shaft in instead. A couple U/V joints through the throat, and it became direct drive right into a snow blower. It had a good view, although I suspect it was a little short on HP. Even a 8010 might be short on HP for a large snowblower though.

-Lance

 

[combiness]

Very interesting. I've never heard of that one, but logic dictates that maybe [with adequate horsepower] that perhaps a slightly modified draper head may be used to clear a light to medium snow and move it to one side, much like the windrowing option. It would take more than one trip to get this done, but if Joe Farmer has no other snow removal equipment, perhaps this could be something to think about.

 

[mx270a]

I sure wouldn't windrow snow with a draper head. As soon as you find that first hidden rock / fence post / fire hydrant / tree stump - oooh, it would be an expensive mistake.

Besides, you're supposed to take the canvases off the head for winter storage so mice don't chew holes in them.

-Lance

 

[iahawks]

we put a snow blower on the front of our 5460 jd chopper.. no modification was needed to the chopper... a lot nicer than backing up

 

[combiness]

Quote:I sure wouldn't windrow snow with a draper head. As soon as you find that first hidden rock / fence post / fire hydrant / tree stump - oooh, it would be an expensive mistake.

Besides, you're supposed to take the canvases off the head for winter storage so mice don't chew holes in them.

-Lance

That is, provided you already KNOW your path before blowing/plowing any snow. LOL!

 

[maninsilver]

A lot of good ideas here.

I think not only the 8010, but all the rest should copy gleaners engine compartment. Its a pleasure to service, like walking around the engine.


Very user friendly to all components that matter.

 

[combiness]

Yes! Yes! Yes, on the Gleaner's HUGE engine compartment. It's almost like a small room, in fact.