Combine justification

[Beefsmith]

If you were cutting 1000-1200ac per year of wheat (500ac milling) and no other combinable crops what’s the best option of doing it? Contractor quotes vary from £30,000 to £45,000 per year including fuel. The quality of work is reflected in the price differential though.

Current combine is shared and the agreement has now ended and won’t be renewed as the neighbour is retiring. We haven’t really got anybody who’s handy on the spanner’s to be able to diagnose and repair a combine so really we need a warranty of some kind whether it’s buying or hiring?

We’re just thinking £45,000/year is an awful lot even if it’s top quality job. We’ve a staff member who’s been the back up driver previously who’s willing to operate a machine if we do it ourselves.

Should we buy new with warranty?
Hire with full backup?
Buy old and send it to a dealers every year for a full check over and repair?

 

[Al R]

Option 1 or 3.
why not buy the other half of the combine you currently have or is it tired/troublesome?

 

[startinghandle]

What about buying the half share from your neighbour then it's 100% yours , perhaps you should think about buying trailers also

 

[KB6930]

Buy ex demo or a good used 1 that's known to you if possible

 

[betweenthelines]

If you've got the drivers, buy two half tidy used machines

 

[Beefsmith]

Option 1 or 3.
why not buy the other half of the combine you currently have or is it tired/troublesome?

It’s not an option as it’s been a pain the last two years. 2500hrs on it and it’s worn.

 

[Beefsmith]

What about buying the half share from your neighbour then it's 100% yours , perhaps you should think about buying trailers also

Got tractors and trailers anyway.

 

[David.]

Buy a late tidy 400 series Lexion with 2000hrs ex-farm for £40k ish, have the man with a van who inspected it for you put everything worn out right for £10-12k, and relax.
Or spend fair bit more on a 500 series, fewer hours, it will still be worn out, do the same jobs on it, and look a bit more modern. Maybe with 1000ac to cut, this is favourite.
Thereafter it's all about servicing.
Edit, yellow combines are also available and seem to be quite well regarded too

 

[Fendt820]

Need to look at a hire cost and see whst that comes back at I would say.

 

[daveydiesel1]

Buy whatever u have good reliable local backup for. Probably try to buy it from that dealer like a good trade in and have them leave it right before it leaves them. This way ul have a good machine at not new price and have the peace of mind that if it does break u have some1 thatl be out to sort it immediatly which as far as a combine goes thats the most important thing

 

[Fendt516profi]

Option 1 or 3.
why not buy the other half of the combine you currently have or is it tired/troublesome?

What about buying the half share from your neighbour then it's 100% yours , perhaps you should think about buying trailers also

It's a fergie and the retiring partner is @Adeptandy