Gleaner N series: N5, N6, and N7

In 1967 Allis Chalmers and Gleaner began work on a Rotary combine after experimental prototypes proved that the Conventional combine was at its limit in capacity, without creating the machine any bigger then it was already. Gleaner built the first prototype Rotary on the Model "G" combine chassis for extensive field testing. This was known as the N1 Rotary proto type. What was unique about the Gleaner Rotary was that the Rotor was mounted transversely or the width of the combine, instead of an Axle Rotor( which runs the length of the machine). Gleaner went with this design, as the crop was fed naturally into the feeder house by the head and travelled up the feeder house and directly into the Rotor, this allowed for better feeding of the crop material. The Transverse Rotor, did not force the grain and material to change direction to enter the Rotor, like what was found on the competitors Axle Rotaries. This new way of thrashing was given the tile "The Natural Flow" system. The N series combines were designed so that they could increase the capacity of the combine for the farmer, but at the same time remain at a size not to difficult to be transported from field to field, or on a flatbed truck for the Custom Harvester.


In 1978 a pilot run of 50 combines were built in the late 70's and were sent to the fields for testing by custom harvesters and larger operators to get their feed back on the new machines. In February of 1979, the Model N6 Gleaner was introduced to dealers at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Everyone was excited to see the new flagship of the Silver Fleet: The N6. The new combine had 50% more capacity then the L2 and was just what the dealers and customers were wanting. The N5 joined the line up a few months after the N6, and an even bigger combine: The N7 took over as the Flagship model in the great Silver fleet.


The Gleaner N5:

The N5 Gleaner was built as the entry level rotary combine for Gleaner and was marketed towards the smaller to mid-sized farmers wanting a Rotary combine. The N5 was built from 1979 to 1985 when it was replaced by the R5 combine. The Gleaner N5 could be equipped with Ridged grain heads in the widths of 15,16,18,22,24,27, or 30 feet. For Flex heads: 15,16,18,20,22, or 24 foot heads were available. For Corn heads, the N5 could be equipped with a 4,6, or 8 row wide corn head, or a 6 or 8 row narrow corn head. The Bin capacity of the N5 Gleaner was same as the L2 Gleaner at 200 Bushels.
The total cage area of the N5 Gleaner was 4,950 square inches while total cleaning area was 6,330 square inches. All three models shared the same total cleaning area.
The engine that powered the N5 Gleaner was the Allis Chalmers 6 cylinder/426 TI engine that put out 190HP. For transmissions, they came with the Hydro traction drive, with 4 forward and 1 reverse gear.



The Gleaner N6:

The Gleaner N6 was shortly the flagship model in the line up before the N7 Gleaner was introduced. The N6 was built from 1978 to 1985, and could handle the same size of flex heads and Ridged heads as the N5. For Corn heads, a 6 or 8 row wide head was available, while a 6,8 or 12 row narrow corn head was an option. With a 12 row head, the big N6 Gleaner was suited for high capacity corn harvesting in the corn belt. The Bin capacity of the N6 Gleaner was at 245 bushels. Total Cage area on the N6 Gleaner was: 5,924 square inches. The N6 Gleaner was powered by the AC 6 cylinder/426TI engine that put out 220HP.



The Gleaner N7: The First Class 7 combine:

The Gleaner N7 was the biggest Rotary Gleaner combine built to date when it entered production in 1979, and was replaced by the R7 in 1986. The N7 Gleaner was specifically built for the biggest farming operations and custom harvesters who wanted a high capacity combine. The N7 was capable of handling the same heads as the smaller N6, and N5 Gleaners. Only the 4 row corn head was not an option for the lines new Flagship machine. With a 12 row corn head, the N7 Gleaner was a serious acre eating machine. The biggest introduction was the industries largest grain tank capacity at the time: 315 bushels. Only Whites 9700 combine came close in capacity to the N7. Total Cage and cleaning area on the N7 was the same as the N6.
To power the flagship N7 Gleaner, an Allis Chalmers 6 cylinder/516TI engine was used that put out 270HP. The N7 Gleaner was the highest capacity combine to be built under Allis Chalmers and was truly the flagship of the line.


The N series Cabs were very similar to the Conventional Combines, although on the N6 and N7 Gleaners, the Cab roof extended out on both the right and left hand sides, and gave a new location for more field lights. The cab roof on the N6 & N7 also provided some shade from the sun to give the operator a better view of what was going on.

Like on the Conventional combines, the N series Gleaners had the new Gleaner swivel unloading auger. I believe an optional extended unloading auger was an option on the N6 and N7 combines, especially for running a 12 row corn head. You could get all 3 models with either 2WD rear axles, or with a RWA option from either the factory or field installed. One nice change on the N series vs. the Conventional combines, was the easier to reach and enclosed engine compartment on the New N series. Made it a lot easier for servicing the engine. Front duals were an option as well, as well as tracks.