Roading a Combine

I never have driven a Combine, we only used a 66 pull type. 

They can be. The big tires, rear steering and no mechanical linkage to the steering axle can make it a hairy trip. Especially in a Gleaner because, at least for the older combines, they were faster than most. I road my L2 at 22mph once but not for long. I say road because at that speed on that combine I didn't feel like I was driving much. I felt like I was on an out of control rocket at that speed. 15 mph is much easier on the nerves.

Edited by Lonn - 08 Dec 2015 at 8:31am

Wow! That's a long trip in a Gleaner!!

The tires are flat spotted from sitting. That first drive is a wild ride for the first few miles until they round out. Years ago a farmer around here went through a bridge on a two lane black top then started up the some what steep hill. 3/4's of the way up, the hydrostat belt snapped. He kept it upright and didn't kill anyone. I have seen one in a ditch and heard of one that fell though an old wooden bridge.

ALWAYS TAKE OUT ROCK INSURANCE!!! ALWAYS

I didn't mind driving them on the road, just like anything else--takes getting used to.

CrestonM wrote: Wow! That's a long trip in a Gleaner!! I've never had much of a problem, but I know another farmer who had an L series (I forget which). He was always too scared to road at full speed, so he'd go kinda slow. Once when he was going down the road he hit a pothole and the header FELL OFF!!! The combine bounded over it and it tore the rear axle off!!!

Our self propelled windrower is way worse to road than the combine

If the "toe" is off much it makes it a lot worse.My F2 only goes 17mph according to speed indicator and it is good with or without heads.

Passed a 6620 JD going down the highway with the R50 last year coming home from a custom job.  The fella in the Deere was not impressed.

SHAMELESS wrote: like Unit3 says, drive them slow til the tires round out, then pick a speed that you are comfy with. don't worry bouts the idiots in the cars, they are on their own! years ago I drove an N6 into the heart of Omaha, I don't think the dude driving behind me in his Lexus convertible knew what a combine was, but found out while laying on his horn what that demo machine had inside of it!

many years ago I headed out delivering a L gleaner hydro. While driving and looking over the cab I noticed a snake skin remnant. A few minutes later something RAN UP MY PANTS LEG. I grabbed the perpetrator in a death grip. Now think a minute - I have one hand on gawd knows what in my britches - one hand on a steering wheel trying not to wreck at 20 plus MPH - and no way to slow down.   Finally I bent over and grabbed the steering wheel in my teeth and searched for the hydro handle or throttle with my left hand almost choking myself in the process. Jerking back on the hydro caused the old gal to nose dive over and almost dislocating my lower jaw in the process. Never the less I did manage to get it centered, hobbled out of the cab and got lower half naked in view of everyone passing on US 54 Paris Tn. It was a mouse. Originally probably 1.5" by 4 " - it was now .25" X 8" with its tongue and eyeballs hangin out - one has amazing strength when the adrenalin downloads in a panic. It is also amazing the amount of mouse pee one of these little critters can contain - or at lease that's how I explained the dark spot in my britches... it is also amazing how traffic backs up in a normally low traveled road...

'

I am sorry to hear of you plight, but I did laugh so hard, the candy I was eating nearly came out my nose!!

Edited by Orange Blood - 09 Dec 2015 at 5:05pm

Lonn wrote: I laughed through the whole story tbran  and whew!

Me too!

CrestonM wrote: CALEBnOK wrote: C2 with aftermarket road box! 30plus haha. My dad says you better have the header on or it gets to bouncing! Wow! Aftermarket road box???? Never heard of one! Is that at your place, or at the ranch? Still can't imagine 30+ on a Gleaner....Wow!

It would be out there at the ranch if that combine is still around. They ran 4 C2's on propane in the 60's and 70's and still have 2. My dad told me it was scary to road. I'll have to ask my uncle about it to see what brand it was. I imagine it was something like a Behler overdrive (spelling?)