How To Buy A Great Used Combine

How To Buy A Great Used Combine COMBINES Miscellaneous With the high cost of buying a new combine farmers across the country are looking for ways to rebuild and revamp older machines or purchase used models with low hours The used market is getting tighter every year because manufacturers aren t building as many new machines and dealer inventories of used machines are down Buyers often have to search many lots or auctions for a model with the options and/or accessories they want Once you find a machine you can t assume that it s field ready just because the dealer or auction bill says so George Kuchar who has more than 35 years of combine mechanical experience as a farmer a custom harvester and most recently as a performance parts supplier helped us develop a checklist of what to look for when you re evaluating a used combine Check Hours Not Acres The real test of a machine s use isn t the number of acres the machine has harvested it s the total hours on the engine and the hours on the separator The total hours show the length of time the engine has run while the separator hours indicate the actual hours the machine has spent threshing Kuchar says a high hour machine isn t a problem as long as the unit has been well maintained Without proper care however even low hour machines can have problems George s rule of thumb is that most machines will operate without major repairs for 1 000 û1 200 separator hours Beyond that an owner can expect to replace the concave the rasp bars the chopper knives and worn belts in the next 1 000 hours Machines that have 4 000 hours or more may be totally re-built and have 1 500 û 3 000 more usable hours When looking at used machines thoroughly check the available maintenance records and look for any red flags that might indicate repeated problems If you re not confident in reviewing the records or examining the machine yourself have an experienced mechanic go over the records and machine with you Look For Chaff & Worn Parts Physical appearance is the first way to judge a machine If there s evidence that chaff has collected around the bearings behind the shields and on the frame and if that chaff looks like it has been matted down and rained in place that s a sign of poor upkeep Kuchar says any chaff that stays on a machine over winter collects moisture even if the machine was shedded That moisture buildup says Kuchar reduces bearing and seal life Even if a machine looks clean Kuchar says to remove or look behind every shield If wear points show up next to pulleys that could be a sign the machine wasn t cleaned during harvest Another area to check for discolored paint is on the engine and in the engine compartment If paint on the header covers or underneath the engine hood is discolored or burned the engine may have been overheated You may want to seriously inquire about the condition of the engine to determine if it has been overhauled or worked on recently Check Lubrication Examine the lube fittings on shafts and greaseable bearings If they look dry and unused perhaps the operator neglected daily and seasonal greasing If the machine you re examining is on a dealer lot ask to lube the machine and see if fittings accept grease Any that don t should be flagged and repaired or replaced by the dealer Check Fluid Levels Regular oil and fluid changes should be a part of preventive maintenance but some of today s fast-paced operators may overlook that job and just top-off the engine oil the transmission fluid and the radiator fluid If the machine you re serious about is on a dealer lot pull a sample of the engine oil and the transmission fluid Have an oil analyst check the oil for purity acid content and small metal or dirt particles If the oil checks out the fluids were probably changed at recommended intervals If it doesn t the engine and/or transmission may be experiencing irregular wear a costly problem you may not want to assume Also check the color of the radiator fluid and be sure that hoses and connections are sound

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