6 row head

[Mark from WI]

I would like to know what size combines will handle a 6 row head? I pretty much know what I can use in an IH but what about other brands. Looking at getting a combine but I need to know my options. And I'm talking older combines

 

[Fordfarmer]

Ford 642
NH 1500 or any of the TR's, including the TR70
NH 1400 owners manual says the 6 row isn't recommended, but mine has been running one for 5 years now, with no problem. Just can't push it too fast. Older versions of the 1500 are the 995 and 990. 1400's predecessors were the 985 (had one of those with a 6-row, too) and the 980.
I would guess a JD 95 or 105.

 

[Tim(nj)]

Gleaner M,M2, M3, L, L2, L3 conventionals. I'm not all that familiar with the rotaries, but I believe N6,R6, R50 fit in there.

 

[DeltaRed]

95 is a little small, for a 6 row,4 row is perfect;6 row is just right for a 105

 

[paul]

JD 6600 will handle a 6 row, tho a 6620 or bigger is better at it.

Neighbor had an 8 row wide on a Gleaner N5, can't believe that, narrowed it down to 30 inch rows, but still what a load - had to follow it around with the wagons a lot. I'd think any of the rotory Gleaners would handle a 6 row.

--->Paul

 

[Fordfarmer]

That's a good point about having to have the wagons close... my 1400 has a roughly 30 bu. extension the original owner built on the grain tank, but there are still fields I can't go all the way around with the 6-row. Makes it interesting when opening the field, sometimes.

 

[JMS/.MN]

One nice thing about narrow rows is you don"t run much down if you need to back up, and shave a few short rows alongside, to get some room to turn. Sure beats backing out.

 

[paul]

About the only thing with the Gleaner F2/ F3, the bin fills up too fast. I got wide rows, so 4 wide puts a lot of corn in the bin. Last fall there were some longer than normal fields I almost couldn't make a 1/2 round in the hopper!

--->Paul

 

[Mark from WI]

some of these combines you guys listed seem pretty small to me for a six row head. I'm sure that they have the HP to run six rows but are the final drives gonna hold up or snap off? Or when I pick the head up off the ground are the rear tires gonna come off the ground?

 

[Fordfarmer]

Can only speak first-hand on the NH 985 and 1400...
I was the 3rd or 4th owner of the 985, and the PO had run the 6rn on it for several years. I ran it 4 years, and sold it to a hobby farmer who is still using it, AFAIK. I'm the 2nd owner of the 1400. First owner ran a 4rw. No problems in 5 years with the 6rn. Both the 985 and 1400 have 2 wheel weights per rear wheel. Think the 985 may have had fluid also. Could probably lift the rear wheels if I tried, running the hydro from fwd. to rev. Hasn't been a problem, though.

 

[paul]

Believe it or not, they made a 6 row narrow for a Gleaner F2/F3. I think that's insane, but they are out there. I needed to add weight to the F for a 4 row wide; and could pick up the rear of the short-back F2 with the 4 row wide. Can't make a round in a normal field with the 4 row wide as the hopper fills up - can't imagine trying to work through a field with a 5 row narrow - tho since I'm dumping on both ends anyhow, that might make a fuller hopper to dump now that I think about it.

Off topic to your question a bit, sorry.

--->Paul

 

[Bradley K]

Here's what you need to remember. When these combines came out 30 years ago or more corn yields were on the average getting close to one half of what they are now. That's a huge difference. Around 1970 or prior to that a 100 bushel corn crop was a real good crop. Now we are looking at 200 bushels to consider it a bumper crop.

With these older combines you probably want to go with the smallest head feasible for the machine, in a good crop will have no problem keeping it full. Also is less weight, less maintenance, and less cost for initial purchase.

Just a few thoughts, maybe some else is wiser?

For a six row head I would maybe look to find a 7700 in decent shape; or maybe even a 7720. 6600 or 6620 would do it.

A 105 would also run it if you find a setup with a quick tatch head to run the 643. The older 634 or 635 heads are unimaginably heavy and powerhogs.

 

[usetob]

on 100 Bu. corn or 200 Bu. corn
makes a lot of difference
I would like to see a 95 0r 105 in 200 Bu. corn with a 6 row head!

 

[RODGEinIL]

Got to think about the crop yield when they were rated. Got a 815 with a four row head, got all it can do in 190 bu. corn. That was a 6 row machine? 915 was an 8 row machine, with the elevator sizes and cleaning area, HP, etc. that now would be a six row at best. Now if everyone had 190 bu. corn!!!

 

[Mark from WI]

I really like the looks of the 15 series IH's! Is a 915 really heavy enough for a 6 row head?

 

[Bradley K]

The 95 seems to keep coming up here, it was not rated a 6 row machine even when new.

 

[steve il]

(quoted from post at 14:04:36 02/19/11) I really like the looks of the 15 series IH's! Is a 915 really heavy enough for a 6 row head?

915 will handle 8 row. we ran 6 rows on 815s for years. we ran both high and low profile combines. the old heavy 763, and the newer 863. ih mechanic told me once, wore out 863 head would shell more corn than a good 763 head.

 

[Super A]

The guy that harvests my dad"s crop uses a later model 7700 with a 6 row 30" head. Seems to be a very balanced outfit. Of course it has been re-powered with a JD 466 instead of a 404.

My pick would be a 1460 or 1660 IH or even an 80.

Al

 

[William Draper]

A friend of mine has a Deere 7720 and it never seems to lack power with a 6 row head. He maintains a good ground speed too.

 

[BANDITFARMER]

You have been given some good advice by all the good fokes here, But are you set up to move the amount of corn that a 6 row machine can shell in good corn? Just something to think about. Bandit

 

[Mark from WI]

What do you mean by that?

 

[BANDITFARMER]

Well its simple, If you go from 500 bu an hour to 1100 bu an hour do you think you have the capasaty to move that much grain that fast? Sometimes big corn heads leed to bigger headakes. Bandit

 

[Fordfarmer]

Since you like the red ones, though you might like to see this. It's about a 45 minute drive from where I am, though I have no idea where you are in WI.
(disclaimer... not mine, don't know seller)
IH 815

 

[Mark from WI]

I found a few combines that sparked my interest! Just wanted to share them with you guys and get an opinion!

http://www.external_link/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6035461&
http://www.external_link/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5996431&
http://www.external_link/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5901955&
http://www.external_link/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5920253&
http://www.external_link/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5920253&