[mcupps]

I would love to own a r-52/62 but im leaning more toward a r-50 because of price, Ive read on here that r-62s had improvment on drive systems and serviceability over the r-60, but I was curious if this was the case with r52s vs r50s. Ive noticed that the r-50s had the newer sheet metal like all the newer 2 series gleaners while the r-60s look like the older style r gleaners, so I was wondering if the 50s were more like a 2-series (besides the cab of coarse) or if they were built more like the r-60s??

 

[drallis]

R-40's and R-50's were truly the begining of "series 2" as they were a completely NEW model from the ground up. In fact for years in testing they were known as the N-3 and N-4 models, but never came out as an "N" series. I actually got to see an R-50 in the Fall harvest of 1986 as a prototype(with Deutz power), but it had the R-50 decals missing from the grain tank sides so no one would know what it was... R-40's and R-50's had the narrow body with a 70 inch processor and 30 inch feederhouse, while the big machines had a 90 inch processor and 40 inch feederhouse. The R-50 was presented to the dealer orgainization in 1987 as the replacement for the model L-3. It had seven or nine LESS drives than an L-3 and capacity equal to or greater. Where I come from in rolling sidehill corn harvesting, it would make an L-3 look pretty small with the accelerator roll system. The processor was the first "P-3" that was introduced with the short segmented hi-profile cylinder bars, channel iron constant angle helical bars, a concave that actually wrapped almost halfway around the cylinder and was adjusted from the rear (instead of the front on P-1), a seperation grate concave, 8 solid discharge paddles (instead of two rubber paddles),a chrome cage that was thicker/more rugged and only ONE door to remove, no cage sweep to maintain and a straw chopper that was not powered by a belt from the engine. Some of the drives were still by chain and remind you of an L-3 on the left side of the frame. It was a breath of fresh air from Gleaner division as it was really "new". The R-60/R70's on the other hand were still the old P-1 processor and same sheetmetal as the "N" and early "R" series. The first R42/R52's (1991/92)were just the R40/R50's with a new cab and longer feederhouse to match the deeper cab and a few other very minor changes. The Deutz engine would be the only downfall I would have to give it.....they run great, but IF you ever have trouble, repair parts or someone who will work on it could be an issue. Keep the cooling fins EVERYWHERE cleaned out!!!!!!!!

 

[silversifter]

drallis is right on all counts. R60-70 was same as N's but with Deutz engine until the Hawk Series when they went to the P3 processor. I may be wrong, but there were differences between late R40/50 and early series 2 that made the series 2 better machines. feeder drum blocks are better, gear driven dist. auger, ect. We had an r50 and never regretted trading up to series 2 machine, way more reliable!

SilverSifter

 

[drallis]

You had a 93 or newer then. Gear driven dist augers came out in 93. As far as the feed drum blocks??? they went backwards on reliability with rubber falling off and the whole RH side of the sep hsg being ripped out on some models in corn country. When the shock absorbers were released, then they had something.

 

[silversifter]

You're right, it was a '93. Wasn't aware the earlier series 2's were diffrent. And ours had the shocks added so that may have helped. The R50 we had, i was not impressed with the feed drum limiters. got bent up, cracked, broke way too easy.

Another major improvement was the belt driven clean grain system rather than the chain and sprockets off the fan shaft. That little sprocket wore out too quickly running a chain that fast and i heard of fan shafts breaking if a cob got between chain and sprocket. That I know came later on in series 2.