Gleaner combines: The Models K2, F2, and F3

The Model K2:

Gleaner finally got around to updating the Gleaner "K" combine and introduced the model "K2" Gleaner which entered production in 1977 and was built until 1981. The "K2" combine was built to handle grain heads from 10 -15 feet wide, and corn heads in either 2 or 3 rows. By now a factory cab was standard on all Gleaner combines which featured AC and or heat. When the "K2" original was released it had a grain tank capacity of 68 bushels, but in 1978, grain tank extensions were offered which brought the K2's bin capacity up to 96 bushels. Also the early K2 Gleaners still had the unloading auger that had to be swung out manually and locked into place, but the later K2 Gleaner's had the Swivel unloading auger that could be swung in and out by a push button in the cab.

The width of the Cylinder in the K2 Gleaner was 27 inches, while the width of the Separator was 32 inches. The Length of the separator on the 1977 K2's was 165 inches with a total area of 5,448 inches square like the "K" Gleaner. In 1978 and later, the length of the separator was increased to 183 inches while the total area in the K2 increased to 5,837 square inches. Total cleaning area in the "K2" Gleaner was at 2,887 square inches.

For engine options in the K2 combine, the Farmer could get a Chevy 6 cylinder/ 250 cubic inch gas engine which put out 85HP, or he could choose the more economical Diesel engine option with the Allis Chalmers 4 cylinder/200T engine which put out 72 HP.
The only transmission option in the K2 Gleaner was a gear transmission with variable V-belt drive, with 3 forward and 1 reverse gear.
The "K2" Gleaner was built with the smaller farmer in mind, and in smaller farming communities it was the perfect size of a combine.


The Model F2:

Gleaner introduced the Model F2 combine in 1977 to replace the "F" Gleaner. Both the "K2" and "F2" combines received the newer and much improved cabs that had been in use on the bigger L and M series combines. The F2 Gleaner would remain in production until 1982 when the "F3" Gleaner replaced it. The "F2" Gleaner was a size up in class size and was offered to farmers who wanted a bigger combine then the "K2" but did not need the capacity of the "M2" Gleaner. The "F2" Gleaner could handle grain heads from 13 feet up to 20 feet. And for corn heads, a 3,4,5, and a 6 row corn head were available. Although Il admit I have never seen an F2 or F3 with a 6 row corn head, with 4 rows being the most common size. When the Gleaner F2 was first introduced in 1977, it only had a 80 bushel grain tank, and like the K2 had the old unloading auger design where you had to pull it out manually and lock it into place. In 1978, The F2 Gleaner received grain tank extensions which brought the bin capacity up to 120 bushels, as well the F2 Gleaner received the swivel unloading auger that could be swung in and out from a button in the cab.
The width of the cylinder in the F2 Gleaner was at 37.5 inches, while the Separator width was 42.5 inches. Like the K2 Gleaner, the early F2 Gleaners had a separator length of 165 inches, but after 1978, the length of the separator was increased to 183 inches. Total area in the early F2 Gleaners was 6,875 inches square while after 1978, the total area was 7,818 inches square. Total cleaning area on the F2 Gleaner was at 3,892 square inches.

For engine options, The F2 Gleaner was available with a Chevy 6 cylinder/ 292 cubic inch gas engine that put out 112HP, or the more economical Diesel engine option with the AC 4 cylinder/200 TI Diesel engine that put out 95HP. By the late 1970's, gas engines were starting to become a thing of the past in combines.
For Transmissions, you could get the F2 Gleaner with a Variable V- Belt driven gear transmission with 3 forward and 1 reverse gear, or choose the optional Hydro-traction drive transmission.


The Model F3:

The Gleaner F3 was introduced in 1983 and would remain in production until 1986 when production halted on all Conventional combines at the Independence Mo plant. For the most part, the F3 Gleaner specs remained largely unchanged from the F2 Gleaner, although the Gas engine option was dropped and only the 95HP Diesel engine was an option. RWA was an option, but a RARE one for the F3 Gleaner's, and apparently metal tracks were also a Rare option for the F3 as well. The gear transmission was given two extra Forward gears which now totaled 5 forward and 1 reverse gear.
Another option that the later F2, and F3 Gleaners had was a power folding cab ladder which could be swung up from inside the cab. Earlier models you could swing the ladder up manually but now you could from the cab.

In May 1985, KHD bought Allis Chalmers and the Gleaner combine Plant, The F3 Gleaner and its bigger brothers remained in the AC Color schemes until 1986, but the name on the cab was changed to Duetz-Allis along with a KHD logo for the steering wheel. For the final year of production, the F3 Gleaner was painted in Duetz-Allis colors and wore a Green strip on the combines. I don't think the production numbers for the Duetz-Allis Green Stripe F3 combines were very high, and while you can find them from time to time, its a harder version of the F3 Gleaner to locate.

Its also to note, that in 1983 the "F3" Gleaner became the smallest Gleaner combine in the great silver fleet, as the "K2" Gleaner was discontinued and no "K3" Combine was ever put into production.