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| Have a 2388 now with plans to get a newer machine. Know for sure I am keeping the 2388. And no, maintenance and repairs won't cost anything to keep it around as I don't expect it to get any hours sitting in the shed. But the $25,000 trade in that it would bring is definitely not worth it. It will take off next year's crop and the year after without needing anything other than unknown breakdowns which are far and few between so far. However if the other machine does have a significant breakdown and the 2388 does get used, it can easily take off $10,000 of grain in a day. Some grains it's doing $25,000 a day. And in such a situation I won't be worrying too much how quick the other combine is fixed and back on the farm. I am a one man operation so it is easier to make the decision on fix a major problem, send to dealer, or get a different machine when the other machine is right there in the shed.
For years we have always kept the old machine around, not often have 2 ran together but have on occasion. One thing is that each time a newer machine is brought home, it is significantly bigger/better than the current one so we always ended up fixing the current machine rather than put the older one to use. This time around the farm isn't changing and the 2388 is still capable and so more likely to use the 2388 in a pinch. I suspect how different the newer machine is vs the older unit will be a factor for other guys. .
Also dealers are getting busier all the time and the comment these days are "we are not sure when we can get to it", or "the part you need is a week away". Those things were heard much less often years ago, now days I won't worry much about those words if the other machine is ready to go. | |
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1 or 2 combines?
