(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

good enough combine for hobby grain farm

D

dmiller

Member
In reading the post below about the 6620 combine I found myself wondering what model of combine would be "good enough" for a tiny hobby grain farm.
I'm looking at maybe 50 acres a year of dryland wheat (30bu. about ave. around here). I'm probably going to have to get my own combine since I'll be so small it will not really be worth any of the neighbors' time to cut. Also due to having a full time job the trucking/storing schedule will be an issue.
I see 7700 and 6600 series combines for 3-5000 fairly often. I see 105 and 95 series combines too for around 1500-3000.
Obviously the older combines will most likely be more worn out. Making a field pay for a combine when the profit per acre is around $40 is a bit tough.
Any other tips/thoughts. (nothing against other brands either, I just have no experience with them)
 
For 50 acres and assuming that you've got a decent tractor, I'd probably be looking for a drag type.
 
A 6620 Titan (or Titan II) combine would be ideal for what you're wanting, provided you don't end up with one that has been gutted.

Parts are still available, USED parts are out there, and there's plenty of experienced mechanics around with some knowledge of that series.
 
6600's are good machines and there are plenty of others in terms of brands and models. I don't know how it is where you live but around here wheat has to be harvested on a very timely basis to avoid sprout damage to the crop. Is your job schedule flexible so that you can cut it as soon as it is fit? This will be the key issue in my mind and hobby or not the wheat needs to come in on time so as not to incur a severe loss. It may pay to talk to the neighbors to see if they could work it into their schedule. Are their any custom cutters where you farm? Maybe talked to them as well. I think custom operators are more professional as they have a reputation to maintain and do not have a conflict of interest. I know there are farmers around here that would be mainly interested in getting your ground and would not worry if you suffered a setback. These people might think if you suffered a setback that your ground might come up for rent that much sooner.
So to summarize the main issue is to get that crop out on time. I think you have already realized that owning a combine for the acreage you are running is another aspect of the place being a hobby operation.
 
Tough to comment when you have no location given so have no idea what brands and sizes of machines are general to your area. Sorry, but we don't all just know everyone on the forums and where they live.

There are a lot of smaller combines that were simply put out of use because they were small and the farmer had grown and instead of cutting his own crop he hired custom cutters.

Such machines are often in really good condition for their age.
 
Location is South Central Montana. Sprout damage is rarely a problem, my work schedule leaves me evenings and weekends so I could get 50 acres done within a week or so of ideal time I think.
Someone posted about pull type combines. In many ways I think this makes sense (less engines to maintain etc.) I just don't see any around here at any sales/ads.
 
I myself wouldnt spend the money on a 6620 for 50 acres. At most a 4420. I would look at a little bit older machine. I mean you need to be able to get parts for a machine. Don't think I bashing a 6620 because I'm not. Good combine. 6620's don't go cheap around here. Not cheap enough for 50 acres.
 
Just a thought that a John Deere 95 might be a nice little machine to have. I bought one for $350.00 4 years ago and other than 2 small bearings, I have not spent any money on it other than maintenance. Cut part of 4 wheat crops with it. Most of the small parts are still available from Deere, and lot's in salvage yards. Just a thought. Bob
 
If you keep track of EVERY little nit-picking expense including traveling expense for parts, you can't afford a combine. Pay the neighbor to do it. Pay him well, maybe $1 per acre more, make sure your field lanes are not a hassle for him. Do a good job of farming, like keeping weeds at bay, planting far enough away from the fence so he doesn't have to worry about catching a row divider on a post, and things like that. Do not get cheap with him. If he has a good experience in your field he will be more likely to be back next year or he will talk favorably about you to another neighbor who might come and do it.

If you don't care about how much profit you make in the end and you like doing it yourself, then buy a Gleaner F or even an M. Conventional Gleaners do about the cleanest job of combing wheat I ever seen and they are cheap to buy and they are simple machines. Dealer availability might be another story depending where you live. Jim
 
I have a couple of friends that still custom harvest with 95's and 105's their new big investment a 6600. Granted they are low budget but they still cut 600-800 acres of wheat a year . I have a super 92 massey that if necessary would combine a 1/4 section of wheat . Look for a good example that has been shedded maybe an outdated model like a 95 gas burner.there are a few out there yet.Paul
 
My oppinion is 6620 is way too much for a 50 acre wheat crop. Something like a cheap k or F gleaner would cut it in a good day. I can remember cutting 30 + acres in a day with a pull type 72 ac all crop. But then here in Tennessee wheat harvest can cover several days without dammage.
 
Read the replies and here's my experience.
TIME is the issue--if you have lots of it then an smaller machine, like a 4420 or 4420, is fine.
If TIME is an issue a 6620 or 7720 is the way to go. If you can hire it out then that's even better, eventually you have to pay for repairs.
I farm about 50 acres and work full time; TIME is an issue. A good wheat crop (70 to 80 bpa) and a 4400 will take at least 2 days. Takes me all day (so it seems) to fill a 18 wheeler but I don't wait 2+ hours in line at the elevator.
You do th4e math; 70 bpa and 50 acres is 3500 bu and that is 4 truck loads.
I've been down to walking speed in 80 bpa with a 4400 equiped with a 213 head cutting just under the heads.
 

Good gosh, you could cut 50 acres easy with an AC 60 combine...and EXPECT to NOT need any repairs...!

Ron..
 
I think any make would work for you. There are still good smaller combines out there. I thinking 6600/4400, 95/105, 715 ect that can be had for much less money. Dealers don't take in this old stuff any more it seems, so you'd have to advertise for it. For 2-5000 I think you could get a fairly good machine, one that is not wore out, but might take a while to find one. As far as parts, do you have a scrap yard nearby? bearings are cheap at the dealers, but for pullys, shafts, belts, tin, ect. go to a scrap yard.
Since you are a evening/weekend farmer you need to plan well ahead for harvest. You should have your combine ready to go weeks before harvest, so when the day comes to start harvest, all you 'd really have to do is jump in and fire her up.
Still, if you can find someone to hire to combine and haul it you'd be ahead I think. Harvesting 50 acres of wheat with a 13-15 foot head could take 2-3 days if you have good weather. When would you find time to unload?
 
A John Deere 3300 or IH 91 would be fine....even a decent old pull type like a Allis 66, JD 30, or IH 64 or 72 pulled with a good 50 hp tractor with live power PTO would do it.
 
DMiller,

Here is a K Gleaner with both heads and rice tires, ready for the field...

http://carbondale.craigslist.org/grd/2590683439.html

Southern Ill area

John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
How to remove grain tank extension on combine?
Replies
17
Views
1K
504
5
S
John deere 55 combine questions
Replies
6
Views
1K
tomstractorsandtoys
tomstractorsandtoys
S
Massey-Harris 35 pull type combine, or Massey 300?
Replies
7
Views
628
Leroy
L
1
Pics Results- Farm Estate Sale At Deerfield,MO
Replies
13
Views
3K
tlock0331
T
V
new owner of a 620, will try to update this as we go.
2 3 4
Replies
61
Views
3K
valiant8086
V
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top