nc ks | senodak - 12/6/2025 16:33
For sure, they are good reliable machines. But if you started a company and built brand new 9600's, 4440's and Steiger Panthers exactly the way they were built in their prime you would be out of business quick. Because for what it costs to build them hardly anyone would pick them over what is currently on the market. Even if you could get an exemption to go back to tier 2 diesel.
If you had a choice between buying an 8R for 400k and a 4440 for 150k would you take the 4440 and do all of your planting and grain carting with that? Do you know anyone that would?
I think some guys actually would. That is stupid, but they would. The 4440 would have to have an ecm and exhaust treatment. You can't get around that and the emissions are 75% of the problems. I've seen 9410 combines bring 50% more than a 9610 just because some guy didn't want that bg of combine. 50% of the problem is between the ears. Most of the resistance to bigger machinery is fear. 2 hours in a field with an 8r and no one is going to want to bounce across the field in a 4440 again. Nothing wrong with a 4440, but we don't need any new ones. Find one that is physically well cared for and fix any mechanical ailments and run it mostly trouble free for the next 20 years. |
Farm economics wouldn’t be quite so daunting if…
