Gleaner Model A - Good Enough?

By chance I stumbled across an old Gleaner A that last ran 2.5 years ago. I haven't thoroughly gone over it, but at first glance it was in good shape and has always been inside. It has a 14' header on it and no cab. Not sure which engine it has.

I hope it has the G-230. However it may be old enough to have the Hercules or even old Ford engine. Regardless I hope I wouldn't have to touch the engine other than maybe some gaskets. Not sure what parts are still available for the Hercules or Ford.

My dad had a Gleaner A years ago that had a Hercules engine in it.  I don't think the Buda engines were used until the A2s.

I would hold out for an F/F2 - they are getting cheap. The input shaft and truck style trany on the A /A2 - I have memories of laying in the mud on a cardboard sheet changing out parts... The wooden raddle - it is probably gone - a lot of chains were ag type flat chains.  You are looking at a 60 year old machine - and w/o a cab - crops are different today than in the early 60's.   

Michael V (NM) wrote: I have an A here that has the 230,,I think its a '64 year, just before the A2, maybe Norm's book says when the change was made??

WJohn, All Gleaners are good machines. That said, I’ve never owned/operate the Gleaner A or A2. But you may want to begin by driving to your local combine salvage yards to have a look around their gleaner boneyard BEFORE you acquire one?
Also ask your local AGCO what parts are still available?

Gleaner A was produced 1951-1963. The 51’-55’ models have their year included in serial numbers. Here’s beginning # per years;
51A9001,
52A9006,
53A5000,
54A7001,
55A9001,
1956-63 model’s serial # begin as such;
A11361,
A12975,
A15174*,
A19602,
A23574,
A25493,
A27482,
A28811.
* denotes tailings returned to cylinder effective A16000. I believe prior to 16000 serial numbers, tailings were collected into a gunny sack / old feed sack so tailings could be fed to farm livestock(hogs/chickens,etc).

The Gleaner A & A2 machine dimensions (cylind er/walker/sieve/chaffer/etc) widths are very unique at 30 inches… Perhaps a few same era C & C2 (40” width) parts might swap?(walker?)? But I believe no other gleaner model’s parts are going to swap into them?

Engines were as follows;
1951-Ford 6 cyl 226 @ 70hp,
1953-Hercules 6 237 @ ?hp,
1957-AC/Buda 6 230 @ ?hp,

Wooden rattle chain’s wooden slats like to warp/bend given humidity & time. Who knows though maybe Gleaner or aftermarkets offered a box metal slat replacement chain at some point? Check it out to know for sure.

I second Tbran’s 1968-82 F/F2 idea. They were offered as an AC diesel or gas. The Chevy 6 292 gas engine still has many parts available at auto part stores at reasonable prices. Their Grain headers & Cornheads are not only more plentiful but improved designs (flex cutter bars, wobble drive, black cornhead, etc) not to mention usually more salvage yard parts to acquire?

Anyway good luck. Please let us know how it works out.

Gleaner A did not offer a PIVOT SHAFT variable cylinder drive speed like the newer improved E,F,G models. Meaning, they had NO range of speeds within a SINGLE SPEED selected sprocket(chain) or sheave(belt).

One commonality of the older Gleaner (Models A-L) threshing cylinders, is that ALL have diameters of 19.25”….. only exception is Spike tooth had 19.62”.
So yes, with ample fabrication & patience, wider model rasp bars could probably swap between them? Just keep them balanced!!
To that end, the channel bar type “concaves” might be fabbed/swapped too?

Near/about serial number 14053 (1957?) Gleaner offered the G230 gasoline engine as a 12 volt system. Prior G230 gas had 6 volt system. Also a 6B230 LP version & D262 diesel became available in the model A, R, & B.

From viewing book photos, the A’s hydraulic stackable “header height control valve & transmission variable speed valve bodies” look to be similar to newer E,F,G ??

I ran a A2 1967 for 19 years on 88A. No variable head speed,no header clutch. No big deal. 3-30 corn head and 13ft platform. I would weld up rasp cylinder bars if not worn or rusted paper thin. I liked it.
Worst thing about the A,C,G was the traction drive. Spring in variable wouldn't get through mud. The cam drive spring in F2 was BIG improvement.

Edited by SteveM C/IL - 11 Mar 2024 at 7:23am

Thank you sir! I saw that too... it is nowhere close to me, sadly. I hope it makes someone a nice combine. Seems like it may not have a ton of hours on it coming from CSU? Too bad there is no header with it, but there are still plenty around.