Combine harvesters are among the highest-value agricultural machines that change hands in the UK. A modern combine coming off a farming operation can be worth £100,000–£350,000+ depending on age, hours, specification, and brand. Getting the sale right requires a buyer who understands the machine's true market value — not just the lowest offer a general buyer will make.
This guide covers the major brands, what drum hours really mean for value, and the most straightforward way to sell.
Major Combine Harvester Brands in the UK
John Deere — the brand that consistently commands the strongest resale values in the UK combine market. When a used John Deere combine with clean service history comes to market, it sells. Key models:
- T Series: T560, T670 — conventional straw walker combines; popular on UK cereal farms
- S Series: S660, S680, S690, S770, S780, S790 — rotary separator combines for higher output; increasingly common on larger UK arable operations
- X Series: X9 1000, X9 1100 — the flagship range; track options, multi-crop capability
- W Series: W330, W440, W540, W650 — mid-range conventional combines
Claas — the second most traded brand in the UK combine market, and the dominant choice for many European-influenced UK operations. Key models:
- Lexion range: Lexion 570, 580, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 750, 770, 780 — the flagship Claas combine range; Terra Trac half-track option on many models
- Trion range: Trion 520, 630, 720, 740, 750 — the latest Claas generation (from 2021); growing used market presence
- Tucano range: Tucano 320, 340, 380, 420, 430, 450, 470, 570, 580 — popular mid-range models widely used on UK farms
- Avero: entry-level range; less commonly traded but present in the smaller farm market
New Holland — one of the most widely used combine brands in the UK, competing closely with Claas on residual values. Key models:
- CR Series (twin-rotor): CR7.80, CR7.90, CR8.80, CR8.90, CR9.80, CR9.90, CR10.90 — the flagship NHR twin-rotor range; the CR8.80 and CR9.80 are among the most commonly traded larger combines in the UK
- CX Series: CX5.80, CX5.90, CX6.80, CX6.90, CX7.90, CX8.80, CX8.90 — conventional straw walker range
- TC Series: TC5.60, TC5.70 — compact range for smaller arable operations
Case IH — closely related to New Holland (both CNH group), sharing some components but with distinct branding and UK followings. Key models:
- Axial-Flow series: AF 5130, AF 5140, AF 6130, AF 6140, AF 6150, AF 7130, AF 7140, AF 7150, AF 8230, AF 8240, AF 9230, AF 9240 — all rotary separator combines; the 7130/7140 are popular UK models
- Axial-Flow 250 Series: AF 7250, AF 8250, AF 9250 — current generation
Massey Ferguson — part of the AGCO group. Widely used across the UK, particularly on mixed and medium-scale arable operations. Key models:
- BETA range: Beta 7240, 7250, 7260, 7370, 7380
- MF 7700 series: 7718S, 7720S, 7722S, 7724S, 7726S — the most actively traded MF combine models in the current UK market
- MF 9500 series: 9505, 9515 — larger output combines for bigger arable operations
Fendt — premium AGCO brand; growing UK combine presence. Key models: Ideal 7, Ideal 8, Ideal 9 — the Ideal 9 is Fendt's flagship large combine; all use a multi-processor separation system.
What Drives Value — Drum Hours vs Engine Hours
The most important distinction in combine harvester valuation is understanding that drum hours matter more than engine hours. A combine that has been used for road transport, headland turns, and non-harvesting activities accumulates engine hours without wear on the threshing system. Drum (separator) hours reflect actual threshing work done — and it's the threshing system that wears.
Buyers always ask for both figures. A machine with 1,800 engine hours and 1,200 drum hours is in better shape than one with 1,800 engine hours and 1,600 drum hours, even though the headline number looks the same.
Low drum hours for a post-2015 combine: under 1,000. Mid-range: 1,000–2,000. High hours: 2,500+, at which point buyers factor in threshing system wear.
Header condition is the second most scrutinised element. A well-maintained, straight header with good cutter bar condition adds real value; a bent or worn header reduces it. Headers are often sold separately from the combine.
GPS and precision farming equipment. AutoTrac, AutoPilot, RTK receivers, yield mapping systems, and variable rate application capability all add value on post-2015 machines. State clearly what's fitted.
Service history — a documented history from a franchised dealer (John Deere dealer, Claas dealer, New Holland dealer etc.) is the most valuable provenance a combine can have. It confirms correct servicing, filter changes, and pre-season preparation.
Indicative Values (2026)
| Machine | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Deere S680 / S690 | 2016–2019 | 1,000–1,800 drum | £95,000–£165,000 |
| John Deere T670 | 2015–2018 | 1,000–1,800 drum | £55,000–£90,000 |
| Claas Lexion 770 / 780 | 2016–2019 | 1,000–1,800 drum | £90,000–£155,000 |
| Claas Lexion 650 / 660 | 2014–2017 | 1,000–2,000 drum | £55,000–£90,000 |
| Claas Tucano 570 / 580 | 2015–2018 | 800–1,500 drum | £55,000–£85,000 |
| New Holland CR9.80 | 2016–2019 | 1,000–1,800 drum | £85,000–£145,000 |
| New Holland CX8.80 | 2016–2019 | 1,000–1,800 drum | £60,000–£95,000 |
| Case IH AF 7140 / 7150 | 2015–2018 | 1,000–1,800 drum | £55,000–£90,000 |
| Massey Ferguson 7722S / 7724S | 2016–2019 | 800–1,500 drum | £55,000–£85,000 |
Values are indicative. Header specification, GPS equipment, condition, and current market all affect actual price.
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