Lexion 600+

[lloyd]

My Lexion 560 is pretty much on its limit capacity wise especially in a year like this!
So while it’s raining (again) I was browsing the internet looking at bigger combines and found a Lexion 600+ TT that’s not a million miles away and isn’t silly money but it’s got around 2000 drum hours on it (about the same as mine) but I know the history of mine.

Questions are -
Would it be worth the risk at those hours? What could potentially need replacing
Would the metal work be getting a bit thin?

Mines had a new concave last year and all new chains right through this year so know it’s right inside. But would only be looking at swapping at the end of the season anyway so would have time to go right through it.
I’m actually thinking mine could be worth more or about the same so may not actually cost much to swap to a much bigger machine for next season.
What are people’s thoughts, opinions of those that have run/maintained a 600?

Not looking to change brand or buy new as job won’t stand it at the moment just need more capacity to clear the acres so please stay on topic. Thanks

You probably know more than most so go with your gut feeling.

 

[lexion780tt]

Would avoid a 600 with high hours threshing wise wouldn't worry every thing can be repaired easily.

They have a nasty habit of the hydrostat going bang normally fills the system up woth rubbish.The pump and motor are well north of 30k common problem on all 600.

They also run the om502 la v8 merq they for whatever reason like dropping valves which if the engine isn't a write off are very expensive to pit right.

If you run a 600 long enough one of these 2 things will happen.

Best combine for reliability and out put would be a early narrow bodied 760 nice and small good out put and reliable.

 

[Phil P]

Would avoid a 600 with high hours threshing wise wouldn't worry every thing can be repaired easily.

They have a nasty habit of the hydrostat going bang normally fills the system up woth rubbish.The pump and motor are well north of 30k common problem on all 600.

They also run the om502 la v8 merq they for whatever reason like dropping valves which if the engine isn't a write off are very expensive to pit right.

If you run a 600 long enough one of these 2 things will happen.

Best combine for reliability and out put would be an early narrow bodied 760 nice and small good out put and reliable.

Well that’s just about enough to put me off there . Trouble is a 760 is double the money of a 600 at the same hours so well out the question.

 

[David.]

I suppose a lightly used and well loved 570tt wouldn't be enough of a move forwards?

 

[DieselRob]

I suppose a lightly used and well loved 570tt wouldn't be enough of a move forwards?

Do they exist anymore? Still the same era of combine so won’t be many lightly used combines left? Any that do come up are sought after and fought over commanding a price premium over a wide body machine

 

[Flatlander]

Would avoid a 600 with high hours threshing wise wouldn't worry every thing can be repaired easily.

They have a nasty habit of the hydrostat going bang normally fills the system up woth rubbish.The pump and motor are well north of 30k common problem on all 600.

They also run the om502 la v8 merq they for whatever reason like dropping valves which if the engine isn't a write off are very expensive to pit right.

If you run a 600 long enough one of these 2 things will happen.

Best combine for reliability and out put would be a early narrow bodied 760 nice and small good out put and reliable.

Are the 760 narrow body? Here they are a wide body in Manitoba.

 

[Spencer]

Are the 760 narrow body? Here they are a wide body in Manitoba.

Both.. depends on the year.

 

[Gordon Geko]

Well that’s just about enough to put me off there . Trouble is a 760 is double the money of a 600 at the same hours so well out the question.

Has the 600 got a Merc engine,some had diff engines which did not have the problem with the hydraulic pump

 

[Phil P]

Has the 600 got a Merc engine,some had diff engines which did not have the problem with the hydraulic pump

I’ll have to check, rep from dealership called in today with a with a load of the machines history and specs but we got sidetracked on something else and he forgot to leave it with me .
The machine has been looked after by the dealers and anything it’s needed it’s had. It had 8k spent on it before the start of this season, load of new belts, top hats in all the vario pulleys, all the oils/filters etc so sounds like it’s been looked after. Rep said there’s loads of service history on file.
The only thing I’m concerned about really is the engine/hydro self destructing . Not sure if it’s worth the risk? But I’ll have to find out which engine it has for a start.

 

[Gordon Geko]

I’ll have to check, rep from dealership called in today with a with a load of the machines history and specs but we got sidetracked on something else and he forgot to leave it with me .
The machine has been looked after by the dealers and anything it’s needed it’s had. It had 8k spent on it before the start of this season, load of new belts, top hats in all the vario pulleys, all the oils/filters etc so sounds like it’s been looked after. Rep said there’s loads of service history on file.
The only thing I’m concerned about really is the engine/hydro self destructing . Not sure if it’s worth the risk? But I’ll have to find out which engine it has for a start.

If it has merc engine why not replace hyd pump before it breaks and causes damage-depending on cost

 

[Phil P]

If it has merc engine why not replace hyd pump before it breaks and causes damage-depending on cost

Apparently the engine can drop valve’s as well so it’s not just the hydro that can be an issue.
It would be interesting to know what sort of hours the engine is good for as 2-3k hours doesn’t seem a lot on a modern engine! You don’t see many combines advertised with more than 3k hours though!

 

[David.]

I thought that was because they went to E.Europe or Russia to quietly do another 10000hrs and never be heard of again?

 

[Speedstar]

I’ll have to check, rep from dealership called in today with a with a load of the machines history and specs but we got sidetracked on something else and he forgot to leave it with me .
The machine has been looked after by the dealers and anything it’s needed it’s had. It had 8k spent on it before the start of this season, load of new belts, top hats in all the vario pulleys, all the oils/filters etc so sounds like it’s been looked after. Rep said there’s loads of service history on file.
The only thing I’m concerned about really is the engine/hydro self destructing . Not sure if it’s worth the risk? But I’ll have to find out which engine it has for a start.

Engines are the same as in the Jags & are good for high hours if looked after, 10k with do the hydro on it , same system as on the jags & they can go regardless of any hours, take time to look at the grain elevator & were it joins the drum as inf they have had wide wheader on they can crack , 750 maybe be a better buy

 

[YELROM]

Different combine I know but I think @nxy posted the other day that his combine had done 7k hrs

 

[Phil P]

Engines are the same as in the Jags & are good for high hours if looked after, 10k with do the hydro on it , same system as on the jags & they can go regardless of any hours, take time to look at the grain elevator & were it joins the drum as inf they have had wide wheader on they can crack , 750 maybe be a better buy

That’s what I would have thought, I’d definitely want to go through the machine with a fine tooth comb before doing a deal though.
1050 vario header which I would think is about right for a 600.
There’s a massive price jump to go to 700 series though.

 

[lexion780tt]

Worked at a claas dealer for 15 years trust me you won't do hydro for 10k.

All 600 had the om502 la v8 merq in them claas had a lot of trouble with them dropping valves they changed all the cylinder heads on them at one point to sort it.

They were in a few claas combines but 600 always seemed to be a favorite one for doing it.

Merq said it wasn't a problem in other vehicles something to do with combine engines running in set rev range?

 

[Speedstar]

That’s what I would have thought, I’d definitely want to go through the machine with a fine tooth comb before doing a deal though.
1050 vario header which I would think is about right for a 600.
There’s a massive price jump to go to 700 series though.

For a guy like you , take the valve covers off change the valve gear & you should be good for lots of hours they are very good engines I know of some in jags that have over 10,000 hours on them , hydro is just one of them things , we had a coulpe go if jags , maybe down a couple of days but thats life, they have a lot more out put than a 580 or a 580+

 

[Phil P]

Worked at a claas dealer for 15 years trust me you won't do hydro for 10k.

All 600 had the om502 la v8 merq in them claas had a lot of trouble with them dropping valves they changed all the cylinder heads on them at one point to sort it.

They were in a few claas combines but 600 always seemed to be a favorite one for doing it.

Merq said it wasn't a problem in other vehicles something to do with combine engines running in set rev range?

Is there any way of telling if it has the updated heads?

 

[Speedstar]

Worked at a claas dealer for 15 years trust me you won't do hydro for 10k.

All 600 had the om502 la v8 merq in them claas had a lot of trouble with them dropping valves they changed all the cylinder heads on them at one point to sort it.

They were in a few claas combines but 600 always seemed to be a favorite one for doing it.

Merq said it wasn't a problem in other vehicles something to do with combine engines running in set rev range?

Did one on a Jag last year new motor & recon pump , with time etc for 10k so why is it going to be more on a combine

 

[Speedstar]

Is there any way of telling if it has the updated heads?

yes put SN number in the Claas system & it will tell you every thing its had