Gleaner Combine Recommendation

If you were ultimately looking at getting a combine for ~50-80 acres of wheat/beans/milo, which model would you recommend? I'm not opposed to a red one either, but would obviously prefer a Gleaner. I have a great AGCO dealer not too far away.

bigal121892 wrote: A F2 was the first thing that came to my mind.

Only thing better would be an F3

towards the last years of my farming, i had 2 IH 1440's, one with a 6-row CH and one with a platform, saved time switching heads! i didn't have $8000 invested in the 2 with the heads. i was doing 73 acres.

Having you own machine will allow you to get the job done when conditions permit doing it right instead of when a custom operator can get to it and ruin your drain ditches. 

shameless dude wrote: towards the last years of my farming, i had 2 IH 1440's, one with a 6-row CH and one with a platform, saved time switching heads! i didn't have $8000 invested in the 2 with the heads. i was doing 73 acres.

Had to pull false floor out of both A2 & F2 and have new ends made. Hole wore through and caught chain slat. F2 had over 3000hr non working meter.

I always thought 2500 separator hours was the max , 2000 for a John deere

just because it might be a big machine, it don't matter. the crops don't care if they go thru a 2 row machine or a 12 row machine. they all can be expensive to fix. anymore a person almost has to have 2 of everything to keep going, even new stuff! look around, see if there are parts machines close to you or any dealer support?

I'll probably steer away from an L due to the height if nothing else. If I can avoid making the new shed 2' taller then I will. I can't find enough consistent info about the M to know for sure how tall they are, but I'm not sure it fit in a 12' tall building either. I also generally find it's easier, cheaper, etc. to work on stuff the smaller it is but maybe that's not that big of a factor between a K or F and an L or M? Is rebuilding an engine in a K or F cheaper, easier to pull, etc.?

wJohn, you are welcome for info. the K/K2 & F/F2 model engine options were related & if serviced regularly, are capable of higher hours (5000-10,000?). Basically good engines. Probably the biggest issues with them now(+/-40-50yr later) are their seals & gaskets.

Gasoline engines were standard equipment, diesel when offered were optional.

1969-76 K gas GM250 78hp with regular points distributor ignition.
1977-1981 K2 gas GM250 85hp with electronic distributor ignition.
1978-1981 K2 diesel AC200 433T 72hp,

1968 F gas AC262 (buda) 93 hp,
1970-76 F gas GM292 101hp with regular points distributor ignition,
1977-81 F2 gas GM292 112hp with electronic distributor ignition.
1968-76 F diesel AC301 2800 649 84hp,
1977-82 F2 diesels AC301 84hp for 1977’, then AC200 433I, 95hp.

1983-1986 F3 diesel only AC200 433I


The G262 was only offered for 1968/69 from the older CII.
The GM292 is similar to the GM250, except it has a taller stroke.


Edited by AC7060IL - 01 Feb 2021 at 9:24pm

My R62 is only 12ft 1in to top of main bin

My dad had a 76 F with the 292 gas. It would handle anything we did with the combine. I don't see a reason to run away from a gas.

Tbone95 wrote: Suit yourself, but personally I would avoid anything gas.  Not because there's anything inherently wrong with the machine, but because of the GAS!  Storing/sitting gas issues, gummy carbs from sitting, then begin farting around with ignition systems and such.  If you enjoy that sort of thing (misery to me), go for it.  Good luck in your search and choice.

Yes not sure why someone would choose a gas combine over a diesel. Ohh I remember pumping fuel into the K. No thank you. Buy a later F with the 433 motor. Not to mention carburetors and spark plugs.

AC7060IL, that's a good breakdown of the engines by model and years. For the any of the K or F series, is there any dealbreaking reason to avoid a gasser? I know the diesels are more desirable and worth more, and have to be easier on fuel, but for my acreage I'm not too worried about the fuel difference. Looks like I can buy a couple of GM 292 rebuild kits for the price of a 301 or 433I rebuild kit, too. Not saying I would seek out a gasser, but if that's what I found in good shape at the time I'm buying, there's no reason to run away?

Diesel or Gas?? Please don’t pass on the opportunity to own an old school GLEANER because of its engine. AC diesels are great. But the Gleaner GM250 or GM292 is an INDUSTRIAL version gas. So it’s not your Dad’s old Chevy pickup engine, it’s better.
They are very responsive & true powerhouses of inline balanced 6 cylinder engines. Yes they will burn a little more gallons per acre than the diesel. But they can easily be choke started at or near freezing temps. Each model’s carburetors have a “round screen filter” located on top of its fuel bowl where fuel line enters carb. A 13/16” box end wrench can loosen screen filter. So everytime you refill tank, unscrew this carb screen filter & wipe off its crud(wind blown dirt that gets sucked into fuel tank - soybean pubescence,wheat anthers/plumes,corn chaff-beeswings,etc...)
At end of season completely refill K/K2’s 52 gal or F/F2’s 70 gal gasoline tank, add one quart of ATF to tank, start engine & run until a diluted amount of ATF has thoroughly entered combustion chambers. So ATF is in tank, lines, pump, carb, & cylinders. Then put combine in storage.

Edited by AC7060IL - 03 Feb 2021 at 3:02pm

We had a K with the “industrial GM” motor now have 3 6080’s the 433 motor is leaps and bounds better.  Fuel and repairs cost per acre is a tiny fraction with diesel compared to the gas.