[silverhusker]

Out of those three i would say that the L2 has the most capacity, although since it is newer and probably has less hours the R40 will be more reliable. If you wanted to get a little more capacity for the money you could go a different route and look at something like a N7. The N7 will probably be as reliable as the L2 but like i said there is alot more capacity for your money there. You have probably already made up your mind between those three machines but here is an N7 that i thought would be a good example.
http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5718919

Hope this helps!

 

[norcalbugeat]

Thank you, I haven't made up my mind yet, so I value your input very much thanks !

 

[lookingglass]

The 1460 and the L2 should be the same size. They are both a good fit for a 6 row corn head or a 20-25' flex head. I actually think the 1460 would have a slight capacity edge in beans. The 40 is not real popular and that series had some reliability issues compared to the 2 series that followed. To me it would come down to your best dealer and you will need parts and maybe service to keep these going so dealer parts and service would be a big part of my decision.

 

[redpainter]

IH has been a good design. If kept in good shape, can be a reliable combine. There were lots of them produced and parts should be readily avaliable. Depends on the shape of the combine and the dealer/s that you would use as parts/service source.

 

[norcalbugeat]

I am down to 3 used combines. 1982 L2, R40 or IH 1460. I will have about 900 acres of wheat, milo and soybeans. Which of these machines offer the best hope of a reliable harvest machine for the price? Or should I pay up and move to something more spendy? I can spend up to 15k to 20k with attachments

I realize I'm not telling u much about each machine, harder to answer

Thanks guys

 

[silver72man]

I would second the N7 idea, we had to of them and they would out perform the L2. We had 24' heads in 80 bushel wheat and 7000 pound milo and did very well. For the money you are wanting to spend the N7 would be a good investment, I think you can find a pretty low houred machine for that kind of money. Look at the later ones they did a few upgrades form the earlier models.

Good luck and God Bless
Harvester88

 

[fawazhay]

For your budget, I also had the same budget a two years ago and offer this advice: look for a good R50. It will perform better than the 40 and my 50 is about half of the maintenance of the N series. I paid $16,500 for my R50 with 2000 engine hours and a R series header with pick up reel. I have been very happy with my purchase. I also combine about 800-1200 acres per year so we are of similar size operations. Hope this helps.

 

[gleanerf2]

I would say the L2 would be the best for the money and the most reliable, if looking at an R-series look to an R50 just a fawazhay stated above. They are reliable, and an R-40 might be a little small for your operation.

 

[clinton005]

Do you think $12,000 for an N7 is a fair price? It's in good shape and has 3300 hours. I am guessing the year is around 1985 since its says Deutz Allis and Series 3 on it. I keep hearing bad things about the N-series, but it sure seems like a big machine for the money. Thanks.

 

[scott]

yes and no, does it have all updates, double helicals, cage in good shape, these are the spend parts cage mainly, that year should have, pull covers off and look at cage, will tell ya a lot, scott.

 

[scott]

http://www.harvesting.com/combine/ go to gleaner mods, lots of good info, scott.

 

[ffarmer99]

nt

 

[clinton005]

What do you mean by double helicals? I see what you meant about checking the cage. What is this cage sweep that people say to check? Thanks.

 

[gregorym]

Cage sweeps are the bars that run above the cage to keep it cleaned off so the grain can fall thru the holes and reduce rotor loss. I've never had problems with them unless in damp green stem soybeans. I've had trash plug in the cornes and slip the belt. I changed the chain one time, but that was about it. I only do soybeans and corn. I run them in beans and unhook in the corn. A few years ago, my dad had a M2 with 15ft head and I had a N5 with 20 ft head. We ran together in soybeans and he was pretty much in my way all day. We ended up working opposite ends of the field after that. But that M2 was the best combine we ever owned. Another farmer ended up purchasing it and worked great for a couple years, then he had alot of problems. So just never know what you can get. Stuff does wear out.