JD1085 or NH8080 Combine?

[DrWazzock]

As an older smaller combine, which will serve me best?

I have used a JD1085 for about 15 years and before that we had a Clayson1545 which I liked but I know nothing about NH8080.

My 1085 needs a bit of work and money now, but it's the devil I know and doesn't normally let me down. Should I change it for a low houred 8080?

Any experiences, thanks. Not seeking to bash one or the other, just trying to identify strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Warp Land Farmer]

Stick with the devil you know if it does what you want, money will be well invested as it should give you piece of mind rather then taking on a machine you may not necessarily know. Otherwise @Flat 10 JD1065 for sale looks a minter and you will know your way around it.

 

[tweedale terrier]

Older New Holland combines can be a nightmare to get parts for.There are very few around here.

 

[Timbo]

Stay with the 1085. All parts available

 

[DrWazzock]

Agree I have never had a problem obtaining JD parts, even if I have had to hold on to the counter when they tell me the price!

Weaknesses I have found with 1085 are rear walker shaft tends to snap in the middle, agitator above the walkers destroyed itself and a couple of walkers, all put right now but agitator left out as was a write off. I reckon I now lose more than I should over the walkers especially in barley. Might replace the straw agitator with a s/h unit but it does shove rape stalks down into the walkers and blocks them, so was not in a hurry to do so. Agitator is driven from rear walker shaft so might also increase tendency to snap it again. Other than that my 1085 needs a new front elevator chain at over £1k and a new grain to tank elevator chain and sprockets. Engine overheats for no apparent reason but I reckon she is high houred and down on compression. Easily does 10 t per hour in wheat and makes a good job. Makes a very good sample in all crops.

 

[balerman]

I'm a NH man,and a good 8080 would do you well,but I would stick to what you know,these old machines all have their own ways and it takes a year or two to find them all,no point starting again on a 35 year old machine.

 

[Victor]

Stay with the 1085. All parts available

Last part I required on my 1055 it came up on the dealers screen "consult vintage breakers" or words to that effect. Took a wise man on here to sort it for me

 

[Deere 6430]

Those old 1085 will serve you well, could always buy another one and have a donor for spares, you might find a better one than you've got, cant beat an older combine that you know all about.

 

[DrWazzock]

Those old 1085 will serve you well, could always buy another one and have a donor for spares, you might find a better one than you've got, cant beat an older combine that you know all about.

I think you are right. It's taken me 10 years to get to know this old girl and I have changed just about every bearing at some stage. A few more tweaks and a bit of work and she should do a few more seasons. It is a bit big for the size of the farm but nice to be able to polish off the harvest in four days, then get on with other things.

 

[Ioan annwyl]

Last part I required on my 1055 it came up on the dealers screen "consult vintage breakers" or words to that effect. Took a wise man on here to sort it for me

Should not be problem to get parts for a 1055, made my own augers and grain pan, not in season though!

 

[Flat 10]

Thanks @Warp Land Farmer my 1065 runs as cool as a cucumber and is in pretty good order. No issue with breaking walker cranks as so much smaller. I think you would find it a bit of a step down in output mind.

 

[DrWazzock]

Thanks @Warp Land Farmer my 1065 runs as cool as a cucumber and is in pretty good order. No issue with breaking walker cranks as so much smaller. I think you would find it a bit of a step down in output mind.

With more grass and less arable we have a bit of a step down in arable area, but I like the independence of having own combine.

 

[Roy_H]

Agree I have never had a problem obtaining JD parts, even if I have had to hold on to the counter when they tell me the price!

Weaknesses I have found with 1085 are rear walker shaft tends to snap in the middle, agitator above the walkers destroyed itself and a couple of walkers, all put right now but agitator left out as was a write off. I reckon I now lose more than I should over the walkers especially in barley. Might replace the straw agitator with a s/h unit but it does shove rape stalks down into the walkers and blocks them, so was not in a hurry to do so. Agitator is driven from rear walker shaft so might also increase tendency to snap it again. Other than that my 1085 needs a new front elevator chain at over £1k and a new grain to tank elevator chain and sprockets. Engine overheats for no apparent reason but I reckon she is high houred and down on compression. Easily does 10 t per hour in wheat and makes a good job. Makes a very good sample in all crops.

Those used to snap walker cranks from new! At least that's what happened to my neighbour who was v. annoyed about it (It had only done a week's work ) The only guy who smirked about that incident was the local Claas dealer who lost a sale of one of his new combines to the JD dealer at the time.

 

[Gapples]

As someone who worked on Claas combines all my career I would have said try to find a good Mega. A 208 or 218 would suffice.
But as most others have said why learn something new ? Stick with your JDs if you are happy with them.
PS I've replaced plenty snapped walker shafts in Claas combines as well

 

[J 1177]

Manners in northumberland is your best bet for parts. Id keep what you know. The overheating....... it may be worth getting the radiator re cored.

 

[Db880]

Correct me if I'm wrong but with the adgitator in the back. I believe you were supposed to take the bars off it when in rape and beans to stop it from clogging the walkers as you say about. This would also help it stop being overloaded and damaging itself or other components

 

[Victor]

Thanks @Warp Land Farmer my 1065 runs as cool as a cucumber and is in pretty good order. No issue with breaking walker cranks as so much smaller. I think you would find it a bit of a step down in output mind.

If you were closer I'd be tempted to have a look but the old 1055 started the oats and roared away (well the 2 rounds could do before the weather broke)

 

[Henery]

Certainly have to to take cross shaker out to cut beans, I think it was OK with rape, unless it's a but green then..... problem....
We ran a 1075 for 19 seasons, from new... got to be a bit of a dog in latter years but was a simple cheap combine to own, 12 tonne per hour in wheat was about max but a great sample.

 

[Hooby Farmer]

Im a jd man i have 2 955's and a 1540s nh as well (its for sale if anyone is interested, like the budgie...cheap cheap) the NH leaves a cleaner sample but i prefer to hop on the JD's. The thing with JD nearly all the important bits can still be got new.

 

[Andy044]

Im a jd man i have 2 955's and a 1540s nh as well (its for sale if anyone is interested, like the budgie...cheap cheap) the NH leaves a cleaner sample but i prefer to hop on the JD's. The thing with JD nearly all the important bits can still be got new.

Purely out of interest but what is the like of a NH1540 worth these days, prices seem up and down.


To the OP I would agree to stick with the devil you know even if you were to buy the same again and keep the old one for parts/backup.
I do know however that APH hire keep a decent stock of spares for all newholland combines.