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NW KS/ SC ID | 1973 offerings for the 60th anniversary of Gleaner combines was the K (smallest) F, GH (hillside model: final year, the MH came in 74) M, and the L.
The L launched in 72, and the M launched in 73. They were the first in the industry with electro-hydraulic controls, and a suspended seat as an option, it took IH till the 1600 series and JD till 1995 to offer BOTH of these features. They also featured open grate concaves as well as completely open bottomed straw walkers, Ray Stuekle marveled at the walker design, claiming it was nearly perfect from factory, and we personally have never been able to put grain over the walkers of any M or L series combine. They featured in-cab cleaning fan control, something JD didnt get factory till the Maximizers.
They also featured a scroll-cage fan instead of the old style paddle fan (another industry first), and went to a single fan, compared to the twin fans of the older or smaller models (F kept the twin paddle fans through 76)
All conventional Gleaners featured the return elevator that came up by the cab and had a viewing window so you can actively monitor the contents of the return so fine-tuning of the machine was doable without someone running along side with a shovel, or running it a short distance with the return boot open. This feature was lost in the transition to the rotaries, and its a feature I still miss on all colors.
Starting with the L and M, and continuing to this day, (modern version is of course substantially improved and beefed up) Gleaner has the swivel unloading auger, which us Gleaner freaks consider superior to anything out there, as it is the only unloading auger design that raises as you fold it back, allowing an escape plan from the grain cart in rough terrain. The other joy is the design does not leak grain whatsoever, the way it has a angle to it and essentially flips 180 degrees on the way back so the spout points up, so no grain spillage. It also does not have a right angle gear box or a vertical auger, just a floor auger, a u-joint, and then the incline auger. easily able to roll over by hand.
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1973 models of combines
