Our old 2166 has reached the point of rebuilding or replacing. We are not a trade every other year operation.  The 1480 ran 17 seasons before trading for the 2166.  It is now about 15 years old.  With no surprises we would have to put about $10,000 in it to rebuild it.

We've patched the holes in the bottom of the grain tank to get by, we've replaced the unloading auger screw and turrent elbow, a couple years ago we had the feeder house floor replaced by the local welding shop (LOTS less expensive than doing it the CNH way).  Basically anything that contacts grain is worn out.  Plus the exhaust manifold is cracked, PTO drive front seal is leaking (this developed about halfway through harvest and we are trying to nurse it through the rest of the season), on and on.

If I can cash flow it I am leaning toward replacement.  Here's where I get a little fuzzy ... combine capacity.  2588 - 5088 - 6088 - 7010 - 8010 ... what size platform and corn head should a guy be running with these?  ( I use red numbers because I almost understand them.  Green numbers just confuse me further).

Unless there is an issue we expect to cut beans with our 20 ft head about 4 1/2 MPH.  We shell corn with a  6-30 head and run 4 to 5 MPH.  We look at folks running bigger heads on larger combines and they just seem to creep around the field. To go to a 30 ft head it makes sense to me I need a 50% larger combine.  Which is what?

We've been discussing it and can't see a reason to go to a 25 ft head.  All it does is make transport more difficult.  We can take a 20 ft head anyplace we need to go but to go larger means removing and transporting it.  If I'm going to mess with it, I want one big enough to be worth my effort.

Maybe instead of a new similar size I should look at "gently used" much bigger?  If I run 400 hours a year on this machine and only run 200 hours on a bigger one I should reasonably expect a longer life from it, right?

Right now we are pondering all the possibilities.  We haven't ruled out a rebuild of what we have.  It probably cash flows better, but is it the best idea?

We are probably going to replace the corn head regardless of what we do with the combine, so we are not necessarily tied to CNH. However my experience is there and I place a high value on being able to pick up the phone and call Stan the service manager and Don and Jim the parts guys.  Other shades of red and any shade of yellow are not considerations. The combines might be great, but the support for CNH and Deere are much better here.

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