So You Bought a Cheap Combine...Now What?

[@wildcatwilly]

Thanks for the shout out Farmall! Let me know if you need anything. Good video.

[@FarmallFanatic]

That 404 video should help you get some people over there

[@northernboy3023]

Loved wildcatwilly's 510 rebuild videos. I often refenced them with my 510 repurposing haying machine project. Old cheap combines can be given a new life as haying machines or tractors.

[@jeremyratliff1038]

I bought a good lot of my farm equipment at auctions and only couple times it didn't work out. I am not a big enough farmer for a combine yet. Still using corn pickers. As I add acreage to farm I appericate you going into this. Might keep a poor ky boy from making a costly mistake. Lol

[@cesmith4566]

12-1500 per year to keep a cheep combine going ! That's a lot cheaper than a new one! Gotta love your maintenance!

[@FarmallFanatic]

That's why I keep doing it...used newish one is 60k

[@ikonseesmrno7300]

Here I thought you bought the little 205. Great combine & won't go through parts, parked. But.... if you think finding parts for your 550 is bad....

[@westtennesseefarming288]

You buy low hour machines and keep them inside you won’t have problems. Combines belong under a shed they have too many exposed components that are vulnerable to sun light rain and freezing weather.

[@FarmallFanatic]

You buy a low hour machine it won't be cheap

[@fuhrstpuhl3278]

550 is basically a 510 with some updated sheet metal slapped on it, 510's were good basic machines with decent capacity and simple to work on.....I ran a 410 for 10 years it never gave me much trouble a few bearings and some belts........by the time I got rid of it the concave was completley wore out but it did the job till the end. I guess you could buy a 5 yr old machine for 150,000 and still have to repair most of the things that you are fixing on this one..

[@FarmallFanatic]

Oh yeah That's that's for sure. But the one thing Massey Ferguson did was they put a lot of grease zerks and hard to find places. Where you literally have to have the book out in front of you.

[@locustvalleyfarms7241]

There you go and there we grow so screw you😂 I can’t stop laughing!

[@FarmallFanatic]

💥BOOM💥

[@leonardgordon1748]

I enjoy how open you are to sharing your work on your equipment. Had no idea how complex this equipment is to work on. Thanks again 🚀

[@allancundiff8027]

I had a1980 MF dad bought it new and it might of got one day out of it. Then it was nothing but work for the next 10 years. I don't know how many times we had to replace the main clutch that runs the whole works. One year we replaced it at least twice. I don't remember ever going two days the air conditioner work. We had a 510 before the 550 and I don't remember working on it as much. Of course when the510 was used on the farm dad ran it. When he bought the550 he told me that it was my baby. And like you said it was the up grade of the 510 and in 1980 it was one of the first and I think it was built on a Friday before a holiday weekend. Maybe that one was an exception and some of the next few years they were better.

[@FarmallFanatic]

I don't doubt they got better as the years went on

[@denniscarroll7841]

I had a 550, was a really good machine. The only problem I had with it, was the separator clutch went. That, my friend is a pain in the ass to work on, but other than that got many years of service out of it.

[@HardiganFarms]

Away fill full tanks full before wielding a full tank won’t Explode

[@marshmallowmilitia8056]

Torch around a fuel tank!? That is extremely dangerous!. 😤😡

[@yardman111100]

I bought a complete 1968 Case at scrap price and sold it to a collector for a small profit. If l had a shed to put it in l would've kept it and after seeing this im glad its off my hands.

[@AJmx2702001]

Never saw many of those 550s here in corn country and the few that were i think guys bought them on price more so that others of the time since deere was the walker combine of choice .. I live about 50 miles from the area Axial Flow IHs were thought up and we had the fun of having the 1st production 1460. I can tell stories of all the guys with Masseys and Gleaners came to see it and it did not take long before the county was Axial Flow IH red and to this day still Maintains a good hold in being the top seller in the area. Lots of deere tractors here chase Axial Flows . 1460 or a 1640 would kill your 550 lol

[@rasoolali9766]

Sir I m looking for 8070 new holland old model 1995 or 1990 can u help me with the I m from New York please

[@jamesmorrison1884]

Hi nice combine yes parts can be expensive. Parts may not be available bearings from Dealers are expensive. I deal with a bearing company around here and usually save 100s. They can match anything if dont have a bearing number but need the bearing. Great video thanks. Have a good evening

[@americanaxetoolco2076]

Bought a Gleaner G many years back and all it needed was a belt! We ran Massey combines when I was a kid and had very little trouble with em! Dad treaded in two Masseys for a JD 3300 it was fine first year then transmission problems! A year old! I bought a new, New Holland years later and never had an issue with it! I sold it outright to a guy who still has it and uses it! Auction is not my favorite place to buy a combine!

[@hturbo1007]

After you get the 550 up and running like you want it. Don't stall it on the railroad tracks. Lol. 😂

[@FarmallFanatic]

Poor dude lol

[@AnglesideFarm]

Look at it this way, by the time you get done it will be like new and you’ll know every square inch. Dad would always have me get into the straw walkers when they needed attention, of course I was much skinnier then....

[@FarmallFanatic]

I'm fatter than a hog

[@TomA6788]

@@FarmallFanatic me too 😳😳

[@matthewjacobs6233]

Great video. Were you able to find bearings that were not made in China?

[@FarmallFanatic]

Believe it or not yes

[@matthewjacobs6233]

@@FarmallFanatic I look for USA made first, Canada, Mexico and Japan comes in second in any order.

[@kennedy6644]

Good deals often turn into sweat equity

[@FarmallFanatic]

Hahaha yep

[@robertlong7033]

Was there ever a machine that had so many moving parts or catch on fire as easily as a SP combine? I remember that IH 205 auction the one where you forgot your check book that went for I believe $1600 was worth taking a chance on.

[@andrewstich7117]

Very interesting video thanks for the video

[@thirrybelisle]

I was actually thinking to buy an old pull type combine since i would only a few acres. I am a sucker for old antique machinery. Not sure if i will do it though

[@jvin248]

Buy a combine for $3k, put $10k into it to get it ready for work and clear out the storage shed to keep it out of the weather and reduce the maintenance. Just try rolling into a $650k new machine with 10-15% down for 4-5 years could be close to $13k _every single month_ whether it is working or sitting in the shed, plus maintenance.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Nightmare scenario

[@TheJohndeere466]

I know you can get some money in these old combines but we bought a John Deere 4400 this summer for 1000.00. We did quite a bit of work to it but we still have less than 2000 in it. Its diesel and runs like a swiss watch. Has 3200 hrs on it and somebody else already put in a new concave rasp bars and a lower clean grain auger. It did not come with any heads. We bought a 213 flex head for 300 and a 443 corn head for 1100. We bought the corn head at Boaks auction.

[@jimrankin2583]

I think it’s got the same gearbox that runs the upper.clean grain

[@jimrankin2583]

auger. Anyway make sure you know where that grease fitting is and you grease it yearly. It’s hidden up in the right side of the machine inside of a pulley.

[@americanaxetoolco2076]

Welcome to Farmall Fanatics Shop series, where you will learn the ins and outs Red Power

[@bryanginder5903]

Run a 750 an 860 combines and both have been good combines!!!

[@lamontpowell6235]

Lot of difference between heat and torch around diesel vs gas. Yep, you could have a problem around diesel, but you kept the flame pointed away from the tank and there was separation. I think it is called paying attention, not being brain dead.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Ahahahahahahaha 🤣...basically

[@6h471]

I've seen stuff like this at auctions. Scrap iron in the shape of a combine, and the usual buyers are scrap iron dealers. This stuff has a limited lifespan before its just uneconomical to fix.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Is absolutely correct

[@davidnewsom8047]

The main countershaft and separator clutch are the worst pains of the entire machine to work on . Not much other than cosmetic and header control hydraulic differences. . I mechaniced at a good size Massey dealer during the era of 510/ 550 .

[@FarmallFanatic]

Good to know

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I don't know much about combines, but I don't think wooden blocks in there was a good design LOL

[@FarmallFanatic]

Lol

[@dogwoodish]

wooden blocks lasted a long time make new ones from hardwood in your shop if you are handy

[@FarmallFanatic]

@@dogwoodish I'm at least that handy 👍

[@TheJohndeere466]

Our 1967 John Deere 55eb still has the original wooden blocks in it. They do last a long time

[@paulbrooks2024]

The price of labor and parts, do the math ,any problems is finding parts, l would buy one, .

[@FarmallFanatic]

Agree

[@johnnycampbell5234]

I’m not mechanically inclined to own something with that many moving parts, no matter how cheap it is lol. I’m just gonna stick with tractors for now 🤣

[@FarmallFanatic]

I would lol

[@jasonbabcock2742]

Surely you don't expect to make money farming anyway?

[@FarmallFanatic]

No lol

[@chuckguyitt4017]

Ya you got a real prize there. Buying it cheap is the only good part about them. There’s a reason why its cheap.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Yep

[@evanmyers100]

You are right about used Combines. Just got back from Indiana spent 1000.00 got everything I bought in my the back of my Ford Escape without lowering back seat

[@Masseydriver]

Buy a combine for 3K, put 10K into it to get it field ready. Then spend 2-5K every year to maintain that field readyness.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Exactly

[@charlesstorms2999]

i was fortumate when i bought my IH 715 with 2 headers from a privet owner, abouut summer 2012 paying only $750 much of the mechine was in operating condition. wiring was the biggest issue

[@AliMackMechanical]

Most of the guy's I know just hire them. Because of the costs i know they cost a fortune to run and repair. There is no such thing as a cheap combine lol. It's derv lol you will be fine as long as you shield it👍

[@AndrewHCann]

So true Farmall Fanatic :) I remember my late dad also uncle bought 1968 McCormick International 105C as 3 owners for $5.000 in 1986 & they had get gas motor totally rebuilt to plus brakes also brand new clutch even 4 brand new tires plus belts sunk in over $12.000 to it get working perfectly again ! But surprises me that Combine still going strong today since farm sold with it in 1997 and new owners got me do light TLC to work on get going every years also they use for Grains harvesting only !

[@dogwoodish]

lol like your going to spend 1000;s on an engine rebuild

[@FarmallFanatic]

Figure about a 1000 bucks a hole

[@lynnmitzy1643]

Thank you, Farmall 💪❤️ good machines should pay themselves off eventually, right ?

[@FarmallFanatic]

Yes

[@69druth]

Farm Credit would advise anybody with a 750 to get rid of it before it breaks you. Good grain combines but would not stand up to the corn and beans. Mostly gone to scrap yards. Our Caseih dealer was out of hytran for a month or so this summer. Finally got 500 pails in.

[@wildcatwilly]

Please video everything you can... "I do care".

[@FarmallFanatic]

Ahahahahahahaha 🤣

[@graybeardgarage9638]

Great content! I really enjoy the way you do it. Love the nicknames and rhyming.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Ahahahahahahaha 🤣

[@nathanalmond8280]

Good machines. I just sold my 550 a couple years ago. Do you need a manual for it? I found one the other day in some of my books. Good luck with harvest. Thanks for sharing your videos.

[@FarmallFanatic]

What state are you in

[@nathanalmond8280]

@@FarmallFanatic I'm in Orange county Virginia. I farm with IH tractors except for a 3155 John Deere. I'm not a Massey person but they had a good combine. Had a 300 before the 550. I'm not farming as much and I sold the machine to my cousin. He is going to make a self propelled corn picker out of it. So he wanted it for. He does my combining now and he has a 2588 Case IH.

[@charlesstorms2999]

i was fortunate when i bought my IH 715

[@FarmallFanatic]

Yes

[@john7414]

Stuff is usually at an auction for a reason LOL. If it was in good shape somebody would have bought before the auction.Once in awhile you might get lucky . I don't play the lottery and I very rarely buy at an auction .

[@ihus9950]

How long have you owned this 550, I thought you had a different Model. 👍

[@FarmallFanatic]

Sadly about 8 years

[@ihus9950]

@@FarmallFanatic It is what it is, aleast your doing Maintenance on it and repairs, keeping it well Maintained. 👍

[@FarmallFanatic]

@@ihus9950 after doing an engine overhaul, I'm in too deep to stop now

[@farmer_4850]

I buy cheap combines all the time i just know what im buying. Masseys where piles of shit in the 80s and still are today. Ive bought many conventional Gleaners and old deeres and went right to the field with just an oil change. But you go and buy the combine with the most moving parts on the market in the 80s of course its gonna have fucking problems! If you buy older buy Gleaners!!! WaaaaaY simpler bubba!!!

[@FarmallFanatic]

I'm not arguing

[@DennysCountryLife]

Oh.. the joys of making used equipment right again. Always take a bit more than anticipated!

[@chrismorris308]

Hey ff my Grampa used white oak when building those blocks for Dad's little gleaner

[@dannygoin6552]

👋👋👋👀👀👀🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸☕️☕️☕️🍻🍻

[@kevinbaker6168]

You know what they say about boats, I guess you can say the same thing about old combines. They are notorious for being a hole you dump money into. That is why some fairs have a combine demolition derby. The older, smaller ones don't have much of a market for the reasons you cited.

[@ryanchambers9878]

Brother u are funny lol i get kick out of watching u getting ahead of ur haters

[@FarmallFanatic]

Ol' Sharp Shooters...not even subscribed, but they comment to let u know what you already know lol

[@randyblackburn9765]

Always wondered why my brother bought one and left it to rust away

[@FarmallFanatic]

He found out the price to fix it

[@peanutsmith1462]

Then all the unknown stuff that happens when you’re in the field

[@FarmallFanatic]

Oh, yeah, it's constant.

[@deanbarr5740]

I'm sure it wasn't a quick easy fix but you gotter done. I know for certain I take every short cut I can to get back to going, truth be told everyone else does to. You had the water hose in my book thats everything you needed.

[@averagejeffhomesteader]

Season is sure starting to make the swing here in Northwest PA. My garden is already put to bed. Guys like you are just about to be busy..

[@thomascruff786]

Farmall Fanatic have you ever set your combine on fire ?

[@FarmallFanatic]

No

[@dylanhockaday9878]

When u get a chance u cood get some wax and may get it looking a hole lot better and also u might be able to talk to a car port diler we’re u cood but a shed and put it up your self a lot cheaper than If they put it up the get some we’re to put the combine and truck lol

[@bryanginder5903]

One main think on a Massey is don't let it sit outside!! The door above the straw walkers will let water in and your grain pan below the walkers will rust and then you will have problems!

[@WiedemannPhotography]

Can't to wait to see it running again.

[@AaricHale]

I like how you explained what you get when you buy a combine that cheap . I was one of the ones that thought dang those combines went cheap . I would still like to have a old corn picker even if it needed some work . I would like to plant out my back field in my heirloom corn some time and it would be neat to pick it with one . Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us !!

[@FarmallFanatic]

How many acres?

[@AaricHale]

@@FarmallFanatic It's just a little over a acre .

[@FarmallFanatic]

All that should be easy to work up

[@AaricHale]

@@FarmallFanatic I Googled map my back field it's almost 2 acres . I always thought it seemed bigger than a acre .

[@PaulLooney-dw5ze]

If there is a grain table is there a grain chair to. BOOM

[@FarmallFanatic]

Plate...u put it on ur lap

[@gilreynolds9282]

I would never buy a Combine at an auction

[@FarmallFanatic]

Unless it was for parts

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

I have no doubt when you're done with it it will be better than new...BEEP BEEP!

[@neilkratzer3182]

How many acres are you harvesting. If not doing more 50 to 60 acres would have bought pull type ih93. My dad and uncle farmed around 500 acres in late 50's and 60's and used two oliver 18 combines. Had them up into the 80's. Not fast on higher yields but when set right was so clean you could go straight back into the drill.

[@FarmallFanatic]

About 140

[@MattgIH]

I wonder if Erie bearing would have bearings for that 🤔

[@FarmallFanatic]

That's where I got em all..1400 bucks

[@MattgIH]

@@FarmallFanatic oh ok cool they can usually get any bearing. Growing up my dad got all the bearings there for our Baler and tractors.

[@williamsnipes9810]

Yep. Saw that Case IH combine sell a week and a half ago for $60,000.00 and a guy looking at said it still needed another $10,000.00 in it. I watched him and he didn't bid on it. Just out of curiosity, you are the Farmall Fanatic, why haven't you got yourself a prime International or something instead of the Massey? Not complaining, just curious.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Because before I became Farmall Fanatic, I put myself THOUSANDS deep into thus combine. I am way too far ahead to turn back now on it. Otherwise, I'd be picking with a 2144

[@paulpochan9631]

Rock Maple if you can find it ....

[@ikonseesmrno7300]

Yep!

[@howardwinter3455]

That mirror image again , love it.......

[@beeman67100]

I bought a 550 late in 2020. last year I rebuilt the unloader auger drive, lower unloader auger bearing, cross auger bearings in the hopper. Then this fall at 3792 hours I changed the coolant, engine oil, and cylinder gearbox oil. New clutch pulley with bearings, discs, center plate, and pressure plate. throwout bearing, and both traction drive belts. It looks like the variator had been fairly recently rebuilt. new chains running the feeder house / header drive. machine ran great. The idler sprocket on the chain that runs the feeder house drive has a loose bearing. It wobbles a bit and when I nosed into corn it really growled. Pretty sure the bearing in that idler is the problem because the growl was directly under the cab. That idler and bearing is not in the parts book. Now that the machine is tucked away for the season I will take it down to the AGCO dealer so they can size up a bearing for it. Next year I hope to replace some gathering chains (had them on hand this year just in case) and the drive chains on the cornhead. I want to put LED's on it. After that the machine should be set to run for a lot of years. It was pretty well maintained when I got it so my repair cost so far is about $3000. not too bad considering the machine I have now

[@FarmallFanatic]

Nice 👊

[@donaldmack7213]

I bought a beat up OC 3 crawler with a loader for $ 900.00. Rebuilt the engine, final drives, recorded the radiator, changed all worn parts. Have over $ 6,000 in it. Could I ever sell it for that amount, NO! But I am planning on keeping it. Nice little crawler loader to use around the farm. It is what I have wanted for a long time.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Same here

[@stewart4711]

fix whats wrong then go slow take it easy

[@FarmallFanatic]

Yep

[@steveengelbrecht7271]

My Uncle bought a used Massey 300 combine years ago. The dealer said it had been through the shop. Every day it broke down. Uncle said both doors must have been open and they drove through without stopping!

[@FarmallFanatic]

Dealerships will always lie to you

[@TheJohndeere466]

I was at stollar tractor in ohio yesturday and I saw they had a 550 for parts if you need any

[@FarmallFanatic]

Excellent heads up...thank you

[@TheJohndeere466]

@@FarmallFanatic i took a picture. if you want I can send it to you

[@frankwurth5375]

First off, just found your channel. I'm a small farmer also, we run a 1660 , had a 915 for years, went to the rotor to be rid of those damn walkers. Originally those blocks were pressure treated with a wax like lubricant and didn't need much attention. Now with the Rotor we have problems but just in other areas, there's no such thing as a cheap combine if you use it. They all need constant repair. Basically we replace a portion of the machine every year just to keep it running. After 20 years on this one, there can 't be too much of the original machine left!

[@FarmallFanatic]

Glad to know I have company lol

[@johntorich4015]

I bought three 860 massy combines for like 2500 bucks one was field ready

[@FarmallFanatic]

Until you get to the actual field lol

[@johntorich4015]

Guess we will find out come fall but I did drive 2 of them well over 130 miles each

[@FarmallFanatic]

@johntorich4015 It's always this little stuff... Like a bevel gear or a bearing... But once those massys start picking they're awesome machines

[@johntorich4015]

Yea that’s why I bought a fleet lol we have used them since I was a kid. We have always had 760s but as parts are getting harder to find and extremely expensive

[@FarmallFanatic]

@@johntorich4015 I've pretty much rebuilt my 550..works good

[@donparker8246]

Sounds like a prime example of "you get what you pay for."

[@ronbodensteiner8330]

Jj(

[@hughperkins707]

The wooden blocks should be oil soaked and are usually oak. I’ve never seen grease nipples on them. Just don’t tighten them up too tight, there’s shims to let them run loose.

[@FarmallFanatic]

The newer ones have the zerks

[@johnkirby6216]

I farm with international harvester 915 and 503 combines

[@FarmallFanatic]

Wow...what state?

[@williammatzek4660]

Had a neighbor who used a 550 massy had a lot of trouble with it. We did not have trouble with are john deere combine s.

[@FarmallFanatic]

There is a ton of maintenance and I mean a ton of maintenance required on these Massey 550s

[@fergiebadass3074]

we never greased our straw walker blocks 5000 hrs on combine

[@stevekline7247]

Enjoy those Farmalls . They are the best . I love mine.

[@izzymoy6008]

Did you start this machine did you see if the bearing were working froze .if they were not getting hot after you finish with it buy a pressure water extinguisher just to be safe from fire .

[@FarmallFanatic]

I have a decent fire extinguisher 🧯

[@buroakridgehomestead5995]

How many acres do you have - total and tillable? Keep up the good work!

[@FarmallFanatic]

Varies year to year...I can rent unlimited ground here. This year, just shy of 200...tillable..

[@mattphillips4260]

thing is if you had took that tank off it would have led to more new parts to put in to the old girl so it is a good thing you got it done without takeing the tank off

[@FarmallFanatic]

That's how I was seeing it

[@photocontrol]

Nice combine! It will be a great restoration project!

[@charlesstorms2999]

on those straw walker blocks, use a hard wood and be sure to cut the wood grain in running lingth with the mechine

[@FarmallFanatic]

Great advice

[@boB7710II]

The torch is called the gas axe

[@bobpaterson1845]

Lot of good information on that video 👌💥

[@seniorelectrician6831]

Nice to see some working farm stuff again

[@jeremyswindell2330]

truely spoken brother! booom

[@davidloy8376]

Didn't you have another Massey combine

[@FarmallFanatic]

Yea

[@bryanginder5903]

Can't believe their would be so much wrong with that combine, poor thing sitting outside isn't good for it either!

[@FarmallFanatic]

It doesn't sit outside year round

[@bryanginder5903]

@@FarmallFanatic that's good!

[@KMK6464]

There is a reason they have combine demolition derbys out west !

[@FarmallFanatic]

Oh snap...ahahahahahahaha...actually here too

[@outcastprojects6733]

Good video boss!