R52 serial # what year?

Can’t help with the number but you’re really going to like the R series machine. I know the longer shoe for the 62s came out in 96 or 97.

I think it’d be a 94. I was told the numbering system was the model R52, the the class size 5, then the last digit of year 4 (makes it a 94 model) then the number off the line that year. My R62 is R6269xxx, class 6, 99 model. Dealer told me this anyway

91/92 models were chain drives on tailings and clean grain elevators.  93 and newer had all belt drives for the elevators on the right side and the larger/wider R62/72 clean grain elevator size.    96 and up got the longer cleaning shoe.   97 got a paint job.

I believe you be correct.

An R-50 or early R-52 would be double the capacity of an F-2. They are simple and easy to work on. I know you are concerned about the big change but after a couple of days running, you will be all smiles !!!

When it comes to looking at a machine, it really isn't much difference that looking at yours.  Ya there are differences, but a belt is a belt and auger is an auger.  Bars on the rotor, what conditions.  There is a spiral channel that wraps around the cage.  Rounded of edge means its worn.  Gleaner has under the rotor cage a part called accelerator rolls.  They say you shouldn't be able to slide a pencil between those rolls.  To be honest, I have only changed out one set in the past 15 years and didn't notice a difference, but only do beans and corn.  Maybe more sensitive for wheat.  Very simple machines.  Nice cabs.  I have a 1995 R62 and 1989 R50 that I currently run.  Like the 62 slightly better.  Bigger bin and bigger throat.  Only Problem I have with the R50 is in beans with stems not quite ready and they wrap around the front feed chain rear drum.  I put in a rear chain and that helped a bunch.  But I do slug the feeder house in the R50 and never in the 62.  Rotor is easy to pull out.  I had mine out in 1/2 hour and probably could do faster if I was in a hurry.  Also I prefer a chopper instead of the paddles. I also run a 1640 CIH for the neighbor and overall I do like the gleaner better.