At least as far as Gleaner is concerned.1. What company was the first to introduce electrohydraulics in combines? Gleaner was first in 1972 with the M & L. 2. Who was first with hydrostatic drive? Gleaner was not first but started producing Hydro drives in 1968 for the F & G. 3. Variable control ground speed? From what I can tell Gleaner offered a variable speed in 1951 with the A. Hydraulically controled from the operators platform. 4. Auger-type header? Gleaner was first in 1923. 5. Variable control for cylinder speed? Allis-Chalmers model "All-Crop" in 1935. By variable I mean being able to change speed with out adding or removing spacers in the pulley. 6. Stone protection? By at least 1961 Gleaner offered as standard equipment the stone door on the E. 7. Yield monitor? I found a brochure offering a yeild monitor on the K dated 1974. The larger L & M might have had it with their 1972 intro. 8. Shaft monitors? The earliest for Gleaner that I found was 1972 L. 9. Rasp bars in lue of spike tooth cylinders? Gleaner was first in N. America in 1923. 10. 12 row corn head? (who was first with 6 & 8 row also?) Gleaner again in 1979 with the 12 row and N6. It appears the C Gleaner had a 6 row available in 1961 or 62(not positive), and the CII offered an 8 row in 1965 or 66. Some other info:
Allis-Chalmers introduced Rub-bar cylinder bars in 1935 on the All-Crop. This made it capable of harvesting more than 100 different crops. Also flax rollers helped reach that 100 crop capability and kept stones from entering the cylinder area. The All-Crop is widely thought of as the successor to the binder and thresher as the first combine to be sold in great numbers. By at least 1961 quick attach heads were offer by Gleaner though not as handy as todays quick attach it turned an all day effort into about a 30 minute job. I'll do some more research on torque sensing drives and variable speed corn heads and other innovations. I believe Gleaner will also be at or near the forefront of these innovations judging by the history I have found. PS With the abundance of Gleaner info I have found I probably will give my speech for Ag class focusing on Gleaner. Thanks for the info and any additional info you may add to this project.
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