L and M rebuilt to new

I would think a "new" L3 would be enought combine for 500 plus acres.

We have 2 L3's, one was bought new, the other was bought about 5 years ago, until then the first one was the only machine for some 20 years. Probably averaged 800 acres a year since it was new. You can't be afraid of working on it in the summer and winter. We have rebuilt many straw walkers and have a set on hand, replaced raddle chain and pan new flight in unload auger and bin fill auger. Last winter we put a new floor in the 318 grain table, it was simply worn out. We even had to weld the throat mounting shaft and pipe back on ( the grain headand throat literally fell of cutting beans).Put new pans in both choppers. Last year the pipe that carries the clean grain from under the machine simple wore a hole in the bottom, a little duct tape got us by til we got done, that is just one of the things to work on this summer. We have worked on every part of those machines. Luckely we have had no major problems with the motors. You cant be afraid to work on them, but our harvest cost per acre is almost nothing. We try to do something each year to keep the machine from getting untrustworthy. Last year we had one flat tire and one bearing go out during harvest, and Dad keeps most belts and bearings on hand. Last year, neighbor had a brand new Deere, turbo went out and he was down 2 days. As I said you must be willing to do the upkeep, but that is with any "older" equipment. Now we are even going to put a John Deere 653 row crop head on for the drought corn and short beans. Found one last week and going through it now, I will post pics when its back together.  My 2 cents, the L3 is the best combine out there. Now if we could just find that vibration in the floating cutter bar, wobble box!!

have some neighbors that run couple L's, L2 and smaller gleaners F & G i think.  they were constantly working on them. we were always done alot sooner, and would sometimes help finishing.  

Thanks Adam, we will keep it in mind. If we just get it to work on one of the three positions, that will be great. We don't use the header control on the grain table to much. Most of our ground is gently rolling or level.