Top 5 Biggest Combine Harvesters

Combine harvesters have been making life easier in the world of agriculture since they were first invented early in the 19th century. In those early days they were nothing like the biggest combine harvesters today.

Many developments in the world of combine harvesters have taken place since the Rev. Patrick Bell created the first reaper machine in 1826. This includes the development of the first actual combine harvester by US inventor Hiram Moore, in 1834.

These initial machines were horse drawn and it was not until the late 19th century that George Stockton Berry first integrated the combine with a steam engine. Jump forward to today and mammoth harvesters have now taken over from their earlier cousins.

Key points

  • Today’s combine harvesters have evolved from inventions in the 19th century which were originally drawn by horses
  • The giant machines of today make it easier for large agricultural farms to operate productively and efficiently
  • In 2020, the Claas Lexion 8900 was the biggest combine harvester on the market as well as being the most powerful combine harvester in the world
  • In 2021, John Deere X9 1100 took over at the top of the list of largest combine harvesters in the world
  • Include a girder truss in your next shed to increase the width of a bay

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Let’s take a closer look at the five biggest combine harvesters that owe their existence to previous and current innovation.

Claas Lexion 795

 

This mighty giant from the Claas combines range is something of a rare sight but it’s a winner with those lucky enough to own or use one. Its black and green paint design makes this machine stand out from the crowd.

It’s also well-thought of for its impressive power and technology which means it’s a valuable asset to own.

Case IH 9240

The Case IH 9240 combine harvester makes a grand statement as the most powerful model produced by the brand up to this point. It also features Axial-Flow single rotor technology which ensures careful grain handling and exceptional grain quality.

One of the most impressive technological features of this combine is the high unload rate which can reach 158.6 l/sec which is an advantage for farmers who are looking to optimise productivity on their properties. The machine also features a modern engine cooling system and vacuum aspirated rotating wand. These features help to ensure the engine operates efficiently.

New Holland CR10.90

This combine is a monster in terms of size and power. It’s also an impressively smooth ride thanks to the SmartTrax flexible track fitted with Terraglide suspension. This technology helps to balance the load of the machine equally and prevent juddering and rocking movements.

Its size and productivity levels make this machine ideal for use on large agricultural farms. Back in 2014, the New Holland CR10.90 set a world record for productivity harvesting 797.656 tonnes in eight hours. The peak productivity level reached at the time was 135 tonnes per hour and the average productivity was 99.7 tonnes per hour.

Claas Lexion 8900

In 2020, the Claas Lexion 8900 was recognised as the biggest combine harvester in the world. The release of the machine meant that Claas became the market leader in Europe.

It’s hardly surprising that the machine was so well-received. Aside from its sheer size, it also features a new APS Synflow Hybrid threshing system. This system means that a higher percentage of grain can be threshed out. This has obvious benefits for large agricultural farms where profits and productivity need to be optimised.

That is not the only impressive feature of the Claas Lexion 8900. It also has a grain tank which can hold as much as 18,000 litres. This tank takes just 100 seconds to empty. Again, this is a valuable addition when productivity is such a major concern in agriculture.

John Deere X9 1100

The Claas Lexion 8900 did not retain its position as the world’s largest combine harvester for very long. The title now belongs to the John Deere X9 1100 combine harvester which made its debut in Australia, and internationally, in 2021. This includes the UK where it has been the star of exhibitions such as the Great Yorkshire show this year.

Not only is this combine a huge beast of a machine, it’s also the most powerful state of the art harvester from what is one of Australia’s most popular brands. This is only likely to raise its popularity profile further.

 

 

The John Deere X9 1100 takes John Deere harvesting performance to the next level. Its aim is to make it easier for large scale farming enterprises to harvest more tonnes per hour and hectares per day. It achieves this by means of a 45-foot header and a harvesting rate of 100 tonnes per hour. This rate is accomplished while maintaining less than one per cent grain loss.

There is no doubt that these mega machines are leading the field in terms of sheer size right now. They also provide the power and efficiency that large agricultural farms require. Of course, the world of agricultural technology does not stand still so it’s likely that even more impressive machines will emerge in the not too distant future.

It will be interesting to see which monster combine harvester is the next to join the list as one of the largest and most technologically advanced combine harvesters in the world.

Buyer “preference” for sheltered machinery

Protecting farm equipment from the elements makes sense to maintain its condition for use on farm, but it also helps when it comes to selling machinery.

Matt Henke, director of online marketplace Farm Tender, said buyers prefer machinery which has been stored in sheds rather than out of the weather.

He said this “buyer preference” delivered an “undisclosed premium”.
“If I was going to buy something that was the same price and same hours, I’d buy the one that was shedded every time,” Matt said.
“Most can see, by looking at the machine, if it has been shedded or not.”

Sometimes machinery weather damage can be obvious, according to Matt, with sun bleaching and faded colours on exposed areas.

But some effects can’t be seen.

“You think of the monitors in tractor cabs and when they are sitting in the sun,” Matt said.
“They can be damaged, which could cost anywhere from $1000- $10,000 because in full sun, these cabins can be sitting in temperatures as high as 60-80 degrees Celsius.”

Machinery storage differs depending on the farm region, according to Matt.

For example, in big hay production areas like Elmore, Victoria, farmers must balance the competing needs of protecting hay and machinery.

In many cases like this, he said machinery often went into sheds after the hay was removed.
In other Victorian regions, such as the Wimmera and Mallee, Matt said machinery was protected for larger portions of the year.

Farm Tender is one of Entegra Shed’s distributors.

Matt said the quality of Entegra sheds stand-out compared to competitors.

“Entegra always has the hot-dipped steel frames, so there’s no fading or rust and they have some of the best structural engineers going around,” he said.
“It’s about the quality, there’s no shortcuts. I have seen other sheds with painted frames and the paint fades, and they have to be painted again.”

Investing in a shed, makes business sense, according to Matt.
“From my experience, banks seem to class sheds as a valuable asset as they see the benefits of protecting machinery and commodities from the weather,” he said.

 

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