Combine buying habits are changing. Around 15 years ago, new machine buyers more often than not changed on a three- to five-year cycle. But today this is more commonly five to seven or eight years. And it also tends to be the bigger models in each range that are being bought by farmers.
You can see from the top three list for each maker that it is predominantly rotary and hybrid machines that are taking the number one and number two slots. Of course, there are exceptions … such as Massey Ferguson, which, rather than being a mirror image of Fendt, actually sells more walker combines. This can be pinned down to the dealers and where they are based. The German brand does well with higher horsepower tractors, and these are the sorts of farm that are going to buy a larger capacity Ideal.
With combines being kept for longer, owners also want to have a handle on running costs, so in many cases manufacturers are offering longer warranty and service packages to allow farmers and contractors to avoid nasty surprises.
Chatting to one manufacturer about buying habits, he made the point that header widths have also increased a lot in recent years. Plus there is a growing number of draper flex headers, though these don't suit every area. For example, f you're blessed with more than your fair share of sharp
