Looking for a 780 special

[780Pete]

Hi All,
I'm the new kid on the block but was around the farming scene in the late 50s and early 60s in Lincolnshire where the family business was agricultural contracting. Initially we had 4No 726 (8' 6") baggers and replaced them with 780s including a 10' cut (MF Special) diesel tanker with the hydraulic traction control and bed lift. I had to content myself with an old 12'cut TVO powered m/c which I drove for 4 seasons during which time just about everything needed repair; even a seized straw walker bearing!
I am now contemplating acquiring such a machine to restore, if not in basket case condition, so would like to hear of anyone with knowledge of a likely source. However as I live in Central Scotland this might make collection expensive.

I look forward to hearing from anyone with relevant info.

780Pete

 

[Limcrazy]

I've a MF bagger and tank and bagging platform standing in corner of shed as good as the day it was taken off.
I've never seen it used and would part with it.

 

[Rma7810]

We have a 788 tanker for sale , stored undercover
Diesel engine good - but straw walkers seized
Will drive no problem -tin work good no rot

 

[jakeboy]

Hi All,
I'm the new kid on the block but was around the farming scene in the late 50s and early 60s in Lincolnshire where the family business was agricultural contracting. Initially we had 4No 726 (8' 6") baggers and replaced them with 780s including a 10' cut (MF Special) diesel tanker with the hydraulic traction control and bed lift. I had to content myself with an old 12'cut TVO powered m/c which I drove for 4 seasons during which time just about everything needed repair; even a seized straw walker bearing!
I am now contemplating acquiring such a machine to restore, if not in basket case condition, so would like to hear of anyone with knowledge of a likely source. However as I live in Central Scotland this might make collection expensive.

I look forward to hearing from anyone with relevant info.

780Pete

Pete keep an eye out on eBay! Sometimes they come up! Rarely make to much money! Good luck with search if I can help with bits let me know www.yellowswirl.info
Colin

 

[renewablejohn]

Bit random but I have a corn tank which I am sure is off a 780 stored undercover as I use it for woodchip.

 

[780Pete]

Pete keep an eye out on eBay! Sometimes they come up! Rarely make to much money! Good luck with search if I can help with bits let me know www.yellowswirl.info
Colin

Pete keep an eye out on eBay! Sometimes they come up! Rarely make to much money! Good luck with search if I can help with bits let me know www.yellowswirl.info
Colin

Pete keep an eye out on eBay! Sometimes they come up! Rarely make to much money! Good luck with search if I can help with bits let me know www.yellowswirl.info
Colin

Hi Colin,
Your combines look absolutely superb and are a credit to the TLC you must have given them.
My experience, gained when the 780specials were new are of a rather different picture. In contracting we were driving them to the limit and breakdowns were common. Many problems started at the front end where the knife drive via the swaybar would literally come apart and the repair was to weld a reinforcing plate on top of the failed fulcrum section.
I drove a 12ft converted bagger which had the TVO engine for several years and found the engine to be more willing to respond to difficult conditions than the early Perkins L4. The electric bed lift was a weak point especially when the solenoids started to get tired!
I can honestly say that I literally took those old combines in pieces having had to repair cracked cylider blocks and damaged threshing drums with holes punched through the concave to seized straw walkers. But it was fun and great experience for what was to follow in a life spent in engineering.
I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Best wishes,

Peter.