what is the best combine that you have ever owned mine is our 1979 international harvester 1440 sp combine bought used with 100 hrs on it and it would run for ever we went till 2:30 am with it once it was the best till it got replaced with 1985 international harvester 1460 w/ 2400 hrs and the 1440 had 2700 when we sold it to one of my dad's freinds
farmerboy3
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
definetely the 1460 we got it rebuildd two years agao with a fresh paint and last year we putted duals and 25 ft 1020 flex head and we can still manage to do 17 hrs in row whitout overheating even not a little bit, and with the same tank of fuel it's really economical compare to the cummins , we can run a 3,6mph in soybeans (with the specialty rotor) i«'ll send some pictures in another post soon
definetely the 1460 we got it rebuildd two years agao with a fresh paint and last year we putted duals and 25 ft 1020 flex head and we can still manage to do 17 hrs in row whitout overheating even not a little bit, and with the same tank of fuel it's really economical compare to the cummins , we can run a 3,6mph in soybeans (with the specialty rotor) i«'ll send some pictures in another post soon
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
My favorite in (1992) was a 1991 1660 4wd with 211 hours on it. we upgraded from a 1986 1620 . It came with a new 17/12 foot 1020 flex head and we had a1044 corn head. It had no rock trap , no chopper and a straight pipe exhaust! seemed really powerful! all for 55g's! WE thought we had the world by the $ss!!! It is still going @ the next door neighbor's. We are on our 11th since (2577) but that one leaves a lot of great memories !! First 4wd . 92 was really wet here. only got stuck once.
My favorite in (1992) was a 1991 1660 4wd with 211 hours on it. we upgraded from a 1986 1620 . It came with a new 17/12 foot 1020 flex head and we had a1044 corn head. It had no rock trap , no chopper and a straight pipe exhaust! seemed really powerful! all for 55g's! WE thought we had the world by the $ss!!! It is still going @ the next door neighbor's. We are on our 11th since (2577) but that one leaves a lot of great memories !! First 4wd . 92 was really wet here. only got stuck once.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
I currently run a 2188 and it's a vast improvement over the old 1480 we had. Kinda the same workings BUT the cab is MUCH nicer...much larger and very tight! Also the entry steps are a nice improvement. Ran the old 1480 for 22 seasons and it did me well.
Now for the negative side of combines......ran a "G" Gleaner for 12 seasons along with a "F" and not a day would go by without one of them being broke down...and I don't mean just a chain comming off...major stuff like broken shafts, A/C freezing up, sickle pitman bearing getting loose and finally shooting craps. Etc.
I currently run a 2188 and it's a vast improvement over the old 1480 we had. Kinda the same workings BUT the cab is MUCH nicer...much larger and very tight! Also the entry steps are a nice improvement. Ran the old 1480 for 22 seasons and it did me well.
Now for the negative side of combines......ran a "G" Gleaner for 12 seasons along with a "F" and not a day would go by without one of them being broke down...and I don't mean just a chain comming off...major stuff like broken shafts, A/C freezing up, sickle pitman bearing getting loose and finally shooting craps. Etc.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
Without a doubt, 1989 1660 Axial Flow (Cummings Engine) with all of the mods we put on and made for it. After driving the Gleaner F & F2's (several), talk about night and day!!! We looked at every machine made (used) and my dad being a die-hard Gleaner had a hard time swallowing it, but you ask him now and he wish he would have switched years ago!!! We run all colors on our farm and we thought this was the best combine (simplicity,maintainance, parts, etc.) and best dealer network (Massey's rotor - a White Design, was simple too, but not much for dealer networks) in our area. That has been one of our best decisions!!! Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, 5 varieties of dry edible beans, etc., day in and day out this machine gets the job done, no questions asked! We have about 3500 hrs on it now and it's my baby! It eats whatever you put in it and is simple to maintain and a joy to drive. I ride in the other makes/models and the new ones may be quieter and full of gadgets, but this machine suits us just fine. Like with anything electronic, you never know when/where it will stop working! My favorite time farming is sitting in that cab! My worst time is putting it away for the year!!!
Without a doubt, 1989 1660 Axial Flow (Cummings Engine) with all of the mods we put on and made for it. After driving the Gleaner F & F2's (several), talk about night and day!!! We looked at every machine made (used) and my dad being a die-hard Gleaner had a hard time swallowing it, but you ask him now and he wish he would have switched years ago!!! We run all colors on our farm and we thought this was the best combine (simplicity,maintainance, parts, etc.) and best dealer network (Massey's rotor - a White Design, was simple too, but not much for dealer networks) in our area. That has been one of our best decisions!!! Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, 5 varieties of dry edible beans, etc., day in and day out this machine gets the job done, no questions asked! We have about 3500 hrs on it now and it's my baby! It eats whatever you put in it and is simple to maintain and a joy to drive. I ride in the other makes/models and the new ones may be quieter and full of gadgets, but this machine suits us just fine. Like with anything electronic, you never know when/where it will stop working! My favorite time farming is sitting in that cab! My worst time is putting it away for the year!!!
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
was thinking about this today. the 9120 by far. I've had alot of them 915 on up all new. I've got 425 hours on her and not a problem. maybe I need a couple more years but so far this is the best. the 8010 , the worst by far, the first two years.
was thinking about this today. the 9120 by far. I've had alot of them 915 on up all new. I've got 425 hours on her and not a problem. maybe I need a couple more years but so far this is the best. the 8010 , the worst by far, the first two years.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
Mine would have to be the first red machine I ever owned. It was a 1980 model 1480 with a 30 ft 810 header. The machine had about 4100 hours on it when I bought it and about 5400 hours when I sold it last year. I had a few problems with it but it was way more reliable than the 1983 model 1480 I bought and ran with it. The 1983 had over a thousand less hours but it seemed like there was always something to fix. I sold it this fall and was glad to see it go.
Mine would have to be the first red machine I ever owned. It was a 1980 model 1480 with a 30 ft 810 header. The machine had about 4100 hours on it when I bought it and about 5400 hours when I sold it last year. I had a few problems with it but it was way more reliable than the 1983 model 1480 I bought and ran with it. The 1983 had over a thousand less hours but it seemed like there was always something to fix. I sold it this fall and was glad to see it go.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
I don't really have a "best" pick, just certain machines that stick in my mind for different reasons.
1968 730 Canadian Special JD our first SP. Our only used machine purchased at an auction sale.
Cleanest sample until this year.
1978 TR70 NH revolutionary, grain losses bye bye.
1997 TX68 NH thee most infuriating one, straw would bridge over the chopper, would make your mother say sh*t.
2004 9860 STS JD best threshing drive in the industry. Still is.
We have always been a 1 combine operation except 07 when I rented a NH CR 9070, and I ran them all.
Demo's that didn't result in purchase? MF 860, JD CTS, CI 2388, MF 9895/A85, CI 8010, NH CR 9070.
Oddly enough never did demo Lex 590R but did run friend's unit.
I guess I've been actively running combines for about 43 years (yes, started at 12)
and have run roughly 30 different machines.
Hmm kinda nostalgic reflecting back like this, never done that before.
![Image]()
Don
I don't really have a "best" pick, just certain machines that stick in my mind for different reasons.
1968 730 Canadian Special JD our first SP. Our only used machine purchased at an auction sale.
Cleanest sample until this year.
1978 TR70 NH revolutionary, grain losses bye bye.
1997 TX68 NH thee most infuriating one, straw would bridge over the chopper, would make your mother say sh*t.
2004 9860 STS JD best threshing drive in the industry. Still is.
We have always been a 1 combine operation except 07 when I rented a NH CR 9070, and I ran them all.
Demo's that didn't result in purchase? MF 860, JD CTS, CI 2388, MF 9895/A85, CI 8010, NH CR 9070.
Oddly enough never did demo Lex 590R but did run friend's unit.
I guess I've been actively running combines for about 43 years (yes, started at 12)
and have run roughly 30 different machines.
Hmm kinda nostalgic reflecting back like this, never done that before.
Don
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
You're ahead there, I didn't straight cut until 1989...at 35.
With MacDon's first draper.
I've run an auger header about 15...mintues.
Long enough.
![Image]()
Don
You're ahead there, I didn't straight cut until 1989...at 35.
With MacDon's first draper.
I've run an auger header about 15...mintues.
Long enough.
Don
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
The best combine I have owned is an International 1460 with 5400 hours on it. I have had it for 3 years now and beat my john deeres by a long shot. So good dad switched and got a 1688 Case IH with 4000 hours on it.
The best combine I have owned is an International 1460 with 5400 hours on it. I have had it for 3 years now and beat my john deeres by a long shot. So good dad switched and got a 1688 Case IH with 4000 hours on it.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
I kinda like my 9660 could use a bit more power for the above situation but probably won't ever hurt it like you could with the bigger machines.
I kinda like my 9660 could use a bit more power for the above situation but probably won't ever hurt it like you could with the bigger machines.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
I've never owned a combine, but the best I've driven is our (Dad's) '99 2388. We've had it for two seasons now and the worst breakdown so far was the beater drive pulley coming apart. Sure beats the heck out of the old 1480 and 1680 we ran before. We just got finished putting in new rasp bars, elephant ears, transport vanes, incline auger, and a left-side rotor cage (original was sprung last year when someone plugged it). Oh, also had to replace three fuel injector lines (one broken, one about to break, and the last because it was convenient)
We also got a new sieve to try to clean wheat better, upgraded the straw spreader releases to the push-button type, and got some new rubber skirting around the spreaders. All this took my dad, brother, and me about six days to do, including time waiting for parts. We ought to get several more good years out of it.
I've never owned a combine, but the best I've driven is our (Dad's) '99 2388. We've had it for two seasons now and the worst breakdown so far was the beater drive pulley coming apart. Sure beats the heck out of the old 1480 and 1680 we ran before. We just got finished putting in new rasp bars, elephant ears, transport vanes, incline auger, and a left-side rotor cage (original was sprung last year when someone plugged it). Oh, also had to replace three fuel injector lines (one broken, one about to break, and the last because it was convenient)
We also got a new sieve to try to clean wheat better, upgraded the straw spreader releases to the push-button type, and got some new rubber skirting around the spreaders. All this took my dad, brother, and me about six days to do, including time waiting for parts. We ought to get several more good years out of it.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
Well after watching this site since it started, I thought I'd reply to this thread. Best combine I've ever owned was a 1988 JD 8820. We've owned and operated just about all makes in the last 40 years, and that combine was the best. It may not have given the cleanest sample, but that combine never broke down once in the 5 years that we ran it.....not even 10 minutes. Someone may want to start a thread about the worst combine's owned. That would have to be an 1981 N7 Gleaner in my books.
Well after watching this site since it started, I thought I'd reply to this thread. Best combine I've ever owned was a 1988 JD 8820. We've owned and operated just about all makes in the last 40 years, and that combine was the best. It may not have given the cleanest sample, but that combine never broke down once in the 5 years that we ran it.....not even 10 minutes. Someone may want to start a thread about the worst combine's owned. That would have to be an 1981 N7 Gleaner in my books.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
590r has been tthe best that we've had yet. Ya it's brke down it's not perfect but it's abililty to have huge capacity in all crops and not throw over grain in any of them makes it the best. The tr's were amazing in canola and barley. tx's were terrible for reliability. cx880's were good in wheat and very reliable but were not good combines in any other crop. Now the 590's continue to impress us in any crop and any condition.
590r has been tthe best that we've had yet. Ya it's brke down it's not perfect but it's abililty to have huge capacity in all crops and not throw over grain in any of them makes it the best. The tr's were amazing in canola and barley. tx's were terrible for reliability. cx880's were good in wheat and very reliable but were not good combines in any other crop. Now the 590's continue to impress us in any crop and any condition.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
Hey farmerboy3, my dad tells this story that one year he was doing some custom work for the neighbors with his John Deere 9400 and another farmer was helping him with his 1460. The landowner came out to ride and when he saw the job that the red machine was doing, he made them stop right there, dump what was in the red machines bin into dads header, and sent the red guy home. We now run 9660 STS but can truly say we have never been disappointed with any of our green machines and don't intend to change.
Hey farmerboy3, my dad tells this story that one year he was doing some custom work for the neighbors with his John Deere 9400 and another farmer was helping him with his 1460. The landowner came out to ride and when he saw the job that the red machine was doing, he made them stop right there, dump what was in the red machines bin into dads header, and sent the red guy home. We now run 9660 STS but can truly say we have never been disappointed with any of our green machines and don't intend to change.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
All combines, doesn't matter what colour apart from their pros and cons at the end of the day are only as good as the person 'operating them'. I find it hard to believe that a 1460 was not reaping a better sample than the 9400.
All combines, doesn't matter what colour apart from their pros and cons at the end of the day are only as good as the person 'operating them'. I find it hard to believe that a 1460 was not reaping a better sample than the 9400.
Re: What is the best combine you have ever owned??
I'd have to say the most fun would have been the old International 711. We used to have one. It wasn't the quickest old girl but it would give minimal trouble during the year and keep on ticking over. Oh, and who needs A/C when you have the water cooled fan spitting water out at you all day
![Image]()
But the most reliable one we had was an old 1460. Never spent any money on it apart from oil and filters and all that thing reapt for years was peas. It's moved on now to another bloke, but it's still reaping peas with over 7000hours on it.
I'd have to say the most fun would have been the old International 711. We used to have one. It wasn't the quickest old girl but it would give minimal trouble during the year and keep on ticking over. Oh, and who needs A/C when you have the water cooled fan spitting water out at you all day
But the most reliable one we had was an old 1460. Never spent any money on it apart from oil and filters and all that thing reapt for years was peas. It's moved on now to another bloke, but it's still reaping peas with over 7000hours on it.
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