Gleaner's Self-propelled combine Models: The "A", "AH" "A2"

After the Fordson mounted Gleaner was discounted, Gleaner had turned its attention towards the Pull type combine market, and it wasn't until the early 1950's did the Gleaner- Baldwin company introduce another self-propelled combine, this time it did not depend on a tractor to run the combine, but was built from the ground up. The Combine was called the Gleaner Model "A".


Gleaner "A" Self-propelled combine:

The Gleaner "A" combine was introduced in 1950 for the 1951 harvest season starting with Serial # 51A90001 for the 51 year model and ending at Serial #A28811 in 1963. The Gleaner "A" combine could handle grain heads from 10-14 feet wide, and a 2 row corn head. Coming from the Gleaner P-80 pull type combine, the "A" Gleaner was a big step up. The Bin Capacity of the "A" Gleaner was at 50 bushels with no extensions, although I am sure many farmers did put them on themselves. The "A" Gleaner had RASP Type Cylinder with a diameter of 19.25 inches, and a width of 30 inches. The "Cylinder" became known as the "Down front" Cylinder and was located right behind the feeder beater. Other makes had the feeder house chains in the feeder house carry the crop higher into the machine where there cylinders were located. Gleaner's cylinder was located only a few inches from the header. The "A" Gleaner had Walker type separation. The width of the Walkers were 36 inches while the length was 156 inches. Total Area in the "A" Gleaner self propelled machine was 5,006 square inches and had a total cleaning area of 2,685 square inches. Before Allis Chalmers acquired the Gleaner line, the Model "A" Gleaner used a Ford Hercules 6 cylinder engine, later when Allis Chalmers took over Gleaner, the engine was changed to an AC 6/230 engine. The Transmission was driven by Variable V Belts, and had 3 forward speeds and 1 reverse speeds.
The Gleaner "A" Self-propelled combine was in fact Gleaner's first successful Self-propelled combine in production, while true the Fordson mounted Gleaner was a success, it was some what limited. Gleaner finally had a Self-propelled combine that could compete against MH, Deere and the others.
The new center line design, allowed for better weight distribution and more balanced machine. It was the start of the Gleaner Conventional combine legacy.


Gleaner AH: Gleaners First Hillside combine:

Out in the Pacific Northwest, in states such as Washington Farming is a whole new ball game, with steep slopes and rolling terrain that provided a challenge for farmers growing wheat on the slopes. No Level Land combine was able to do this. You needed a specially equipped combine to work on this ground, one that allowed the header to follow the contour of the ground while keeping the separator level. Enter the Model AH Gleaner. AC and Gleaner introduced the AH Gleaner in 1959 and remained in production until 1961. With a self leveling system, and a standard 14 foot grain head it was just what the dealers and farmers in the area wanted.
The area was increased to 5,074 square inches on the "AH" combine. The "AH" Gleaner used the same AC engine that was found in the level land Model "A" Gleaner. Bin Capacity was also at 50 bushels on the 'AH" machine.


Gleaner AII Combine:

In 1964, starting at Serial # A30001, The famous Gleaner "A" combine was upgraded to the "AII" combine, in which the "AII" Gleaner would remain in production until 1967 when production was ended. The serial # for the final year of production was A37701.
Some nice changes came for the New "AII" Gleaner, which included 10-14 foot grain heads, but now the "AII" Gleaner could handle an even bigger head at 16 feet. The original "A" Self-propelled Gleaner only had a 2 row corn head option, but with the "AII" Gleaner, a 3 row and 4 row corn head option was available.
Bin Capacity on the "AII" was only increased from 50 bushels on the "A" to 55 bushels on the "AII" model. The width of the cylinder remained the same as on the "A", but the width of the Walkers was increased to 40 inches, while the length increased to 162 square inches. Total area of the "AII" Gleaner was at 6,000 square inches, while total cleaning area increased to 2,889 square inches. The "AII" Gleaner was powered by an A-C 6 cylinder/ 230 cubic inch engine that put out 76HP. Like the "A", the "AII" Gleaner used Variable V-belts for a drive, and the Transmission had 3 forward and 1 reverse gear.