2 combines vs. 1

[Mitch123]

We run a 25ft cx8070 cutting around 15-1700 acre a year. We used to run another 24ft cut 8070 when we farmed an additional 1200 acre. Currently we find that we really have to run late into the night and start pretty soon the next day to get round it all. We tend to be the first one to start cutting and the last to finish, I would say average field size is around 15ha. We will change for a bigger cr after this year, our machine will be on its 7th harvest this year and the cheque book holder has only just been convinced to go to a rotary combine. In your case I would say your current combine will do the job but it’s reliability is pushed, like others have said maybe buy a bigger newer cr and push it on or an additional combine to your current. I know we would struggle now to run a second with staffing levels so for us a bigger CR is the only way we can see to go.

 

[Two Tone]

Didn’t want to hijack the other thread currently running but I’m thinking about the opposite and running 2 combines instead of 1.

Currently cutting 700 acres with an 11 plate NH CX8070 with 25ft cut, and a range of cropping from winter OSR and winter barley, winter wheat and spring beans.
I aim to start cutting at 17-18% mc
I have just taken on an additional 500 acres, the land as a whole is spread across 10 miles with some decent A roads but some narrow country lanes too.
I try to block crop where possible and where possible, there are gaps in hedges to move combine between fields without removing header.
Problem being is that whilst I have some decent sized fields (biggest being 30 acres), I have a lot of fields which a 4-7 acres, and these kill output (couldn’t run any bigger header than 25ft in these)
I would like to just run the one machine and start cutting at say 20%, I keep wondering whether to buy a bigger machine and run that in to good blocks and keep ours for the smaller fields, or run the CX in bigger fields and buy a smaller machine for the fiddly ones?
Again, my preference would be just to run the one machine, any tips how to get more from it?

If I was in your position, I’d want to be going for just 1 combine. So I’d seriously consider a NH CH 7070 Hybrid, with either a 25 or 28 foot header. Seriously high capacity for very good value. 40 tonnes/hour in wheat.
28ft headers fit well with for 24 metre tramlines for Controlled traffic farming.

 

[Wobblebox]

If I was in your position, I’d want to be going for just 1 combine. So I’d seriously consider a NH CH 7070 Hybrid, with either a 25 or 28 foot header. Seriously high capacity for very good value. 40 tonnes/hour in wheat.
28ft headers fit well with for 24 metre tramlines for Controlled traffic farming.

Would a CH have more output than the CX? I was was lead to believe this not the case

 

[Bumble Bee]

We run 30' headers on CR's and have a lot of smaller fields. The benefit you will find with a 30' header and the tight turning circle of a CR is that you will only need to go twice around the headland. A big plus in small fields is that you will not need to make breaks, just lift up the header at the end, do a u-turn and straight back into work!
I'd stick with one combine if it were me. Less maintenance, less staff, less tractors and trailers, less organizing.

 

[Lincsman]

Can I ask those who make gateways over 30' wide to save dropping the header off, how many miles do you travel down the road with the header on... or do you stick to motorways??

 

[Two Tone]

Would a CH have more output than the CX? I was was lead to believe this not the case

Yes definitely MUCH more output. CH 7070 is the same as a CX6090, but with 2 rotors replacing the 6 straw walkers.
40 t/hr -v- 30 t/hr.
Standard header is 28’, but is available from 25 to 35’.
It will seriously outcompete the smaller CX 7000 series and smallest CR, but with the best straw quality any other NH combine can produce.

 

[Salopian_Will]

Yes definitely MUCH more output. CH 7070 is the same as a CX6090, but with 2 rotors replacing the 6 straw walkers.
40 t/hr -v- 30 t/hr.
Standard header is 28’, but is available from 25 to 35’.
It will seriously outcompete the smaller CX 7000 series and smallest CR, but with the best straw quality any other NH combine can produce.

But they will not sell it with Tracks and as a result they will not sell many and as a result it will be an oddball machine, which I expect will have questionable residuals. Stick with the 'proper' CXs and CRs.

I wouldn't have another combine without tracks now. You will get most of your money back at the other end, together with the clear soil saving credentials in the interim.

 

[Renaultman]

Get a contractor in if you can find a reliable one who has not taken on a huge amount of work
nick…

Was thinking the same.

 

[Salopian_Will]

Was thinking the same.

Still need to run a combine yourself and it is one that is probably combing up for replacement in any event. No point replacing with an equivalent machine and bring in a contractor, while also leaving you having to manage corn from two machines coming from two different places. The contractor is not likely to want to go at a slow pace nor have a small machine either...

 

[Renaultman]

Still need to run a combine yourself and it is one that is probably combing up for replacement in any event. No point replacing with an equivalent machine and bring in a contractor, while also leaving you having to manage corn from two machines coming from two different places. The contractor is not likely to want to go at a slow pace nor have a small machine either...

True but if you can find someone who can do a cut and haul agreement, ideally a local farmer like me, who has some spare capacity that would take the pressure off the main combine. Obviously there would have to be an acreage commitment from both sides and I don't know if any of the OPs neighbours have spare capacity/inclination?

 

[Two Tone]

But they will not sell it with Tracks and as a result they will not sell many and as a result it will be an oddball machine, which I expect will have questionable residuals. Stick with the 'proper' CXs and CRs.

I wouldn't have another combine without tracks now. You will get most of your money back at the other end, together with the clear soil saving credentials in the interim.

The CH is a light weight “pocket rocket” combine and that is why they have decided (so far) not to sell it with tracks (I think you will find that if there is sufficient demand, this may change. It can be done).
Try comparing the output and price against the Flagship CX and CR models (on wheels) and there just isn’t a sensible value for money comparison.

You will take a huge knock of depreciation when selling a proper CX or CR at the other end. The problem comes in selling those Big CX and CR machines 2nd hand, because they are too big for most 2nd hand buyers and nobody want anything that size. Hence the CH is a market filling ploy by NH.

If you really want tracks for traction, buy the CH 4WD version at a fraction of the extra cost.

The true reason why NH started fitting tracks was because no tyre manufacturer could guarantee a single tyre (each side, rather than Duals) that could carry the weight of a 41 foot header and a full tank of grain. Claas had already started using ‘Challenger’ type tracks and so most perceived that this is why NH followed suit. As it happened, Not strictly true!

 

[clbarclay]

I thought one of the main reasons for the changing to tracks in Europe was to reduce the road width of wide body combines while maintaining a big enough contact area.

 

[Two Tone]

I thought one of the main reasons for the changing to tracks in Europe was to reduce the road width of wide body combines while maintaining a big enough contact area.

Partly Correct. So how about building a pocket rocket type combine that has wheels no wider than can be used legally on the road?
Saving the enormous expense of adding tracks.
Something like the CH maybe.

 

[Renaultman]

Partly Correct. So how about building a pocket rocket type combine that has wheels no wider than can be used legally on the road?
Saving the enormous expense of adding tracks.
Something like the CH maybe.

Sort of a modern TX65? Yes please.

 

[Two Tone]

Sort of a modern TX65? Yes please.

Precisely!
Though the CH is more like a modern TF78.
Which in its day was claimed as being the highest capacity combine in the world!

 

[Flatlander]

I thought one of the main reasons for the changing to tracks in Europe was to reduce the road width of wide body combines while maintaining a big enough contact area.

With every man and his dog going to direct drilling or min til I would think tracks were the first step in the field to reduce compacting and rutting. Then a good straw chopper if not baling. I’m on tracks and yes they are expensive to buy but the benefits are endless over the life of the comnine

 

[Renaultman]

With every man and his dog going to direct drilling or min til I would think tracks were the first step in the field to reduce compacting and rutting. Then a good straw chopper if not baling. I’m on tracks and yes they are expensive to buy but the benefits are endless over the life of the comnine

I may be going around the bend but I'm sure I've read somewhere that tracks don't offer a significant soil compaction benefit over tyres. I might be imagining it though I defer to our resident combine expert @Two Tone ?

 

[quattro]

I may be going around the bend but I'm sure I've read somewhere that tracks don't offer a significant soil compaction benefit over tyres. I might be imagining it though I defer to our resident combine expert @Two Tone ?

I know someone who’s had 4wd and tracks and 4wd
he says tracks alone are quite capable for wet conditions

 

[HAM135]

Precisely!
Though the CH is more like a modern TF78.
Which in its day was claimed as being the highest capacity combine in the world!

The CH is not a cheap combine,I bought a 1 yr old CX8.80 on tracks for less than a new CH on wheels,the CH is wider on the road than the CX and a lot lower spec,still can't work out where new Holland are targeting this model,not heard of any up this area yet,not sure this combine has been particularly well thought out,looks dated in comparison with the class alternative as well now.

 

[Two Tone]

I may be going around the bend but I'm sure I've read somewhere that tracks don't offer a significant soil compaction benefit over tyres. I might be imagining it though I defer to our resident combine expert @Two Tone ?

I’m sure that tracks do offer compaction benefits when conditions are bad.
I’ve always been worried about the extra cost of them, when in most years, soil conditions are at their best at harvest time.
As mentioned earlier, they are necessary when very wide headers weigh so much that no tyre manufacturers will guarantee that a single type can carry such weights. In many other counties, combine manufacturers get around this by adding dual wheels. But that isn’t very handy where roads are busy, or not wide enough to allow duals to be used.



……..as regards the term “Expert”

An “Ex” is a “has-been” and a “spurt” is a “drip under pressure”.