History of our farm from the late seventy's was all red untill 1999.  1480's - 1680's -1688's then 9600's then 2388's came back on the yard.  Currently run a 2388 and lexion 575.

9600 is a good combine.  2388 is just as good.

"I have looked at the case and it does look a lot easier to work on and a more simple machine."

Couldn't agree more.

"Some stuff did look a little under engineered like the drive setup on the unload auger."

Can't say weve had a problem with it.

Only reoccuring problem we have on the 88 is the clean grain elevator drive chain jumps off once and a while.  We think the shaft uptop was setup wrong from creation, and might not be "true" yet?   Though we do run Navies through it, and dirt plays nasty tricks on a combine.

Long story short, If ya don't bleed green, you'll be happy with a red combine once ya got er figured out.

good luck