Combine Harvesters For Sale in United Kingdom

The History of the Combine Harvester

The first models were pulled by horses. Later models were powered by steam, and after 1945 combines were pulled by tractors and had separate internal combustion engines or were powered via the tractor's PTO. The first self-propelled combine harvester as we would recognise it today was built by Holt Manufacturing of California in 1911. Many innovations followed, including the first centre feed combine harvester in 1923. The new machines suited the vast prairie farms of the American Mid-West and Australia, but it wasn't until 1952 that the first combine was launched in Europe. The name 'combine' harvester refers to the fact that these machines combine the three basic harvest operations of reaping, threshing and winnowing and form them into a single process.

The invention was one of the most important in the history of mechanised farming, and ranks up there beside the plough and the tractor. The reason for their success is that the machines allowed far more work to be done with far fewer people, and this labour-saving feature was instrumental in increasing productivity to allow the hugely efficient farming techniques we take for granted today. The increase in the amount one man can harvest has been a major factor in the cheaper food enjoyed today by consumers all over the world.

Today's Modern Combine Harvesters

Although today's machines are very advanced, the basic operation of the combine harvester hasn't really changed much since its invention. The header cuts the crop and then feeds it into a threshing cylinder. Here the grain is separated from the chaff and straw by concave grates and then transported by a set of augers to the shoe.

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Typical used John Deere C670 Combine for Sale

Choosing the Right Used Combine

Choosing the right combine is a matter of assessing the size of your needs and the capacity of the combine. Then you should then look at the various technological and component areas to ensure a good fit for your own circumstances.

The combine harvester is a complex machine and there are many components to consider.

The headers vary in width from a few to over ten metres and should be adjustable to suit conditions on your land and the type of crop you are harvesting. You should consider the feeding capacity and the ease with which the header can be attached and maintained. The feeder house, meanwhile, converts the crop into an even mat that can be fed smoothly into the separator. The thresher and separation elements are also crucial, as is the ability to manage the harvest and unload it quickly and efficiently.

Modern Technology

In modern combines the use of technology is one of the main differentiating factors. There are many different takes on electronic management systems and instrumentation. Indeed, some software packages are getting so advanced that they almost totally automate the harvesting process. Cab comfort and operator environment are also important. The operator will spend long shifts in the combine, so comfort is important and can be increased by good cab suspension, an air-suspended seat and powerful air conditioning. Excellent visibility is also a core requirement.

All of the main agricultural equipment companies, such as John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland and CLAAS, are active in the combine harvester sector, providing a wide choice for any prospective purchaser.