The CaseIH 2388 is a testament to corn harvesting perfection.  For  27 years Axial-Flow combines have been harvesting corn fields across America and have become a farmer favorite.  A rotor combine is best suited for corn because it can cut through the crop like a knife through butter and return a clean sample.   CaseIH has lead the industry in rotary technology since 1977.  Over the years the Axial-Flow has been upgraded with modern technology  and the 2300 series is the culmination of a quarter-century of experience and expertise.  Today the 2300 series continues to set industry standards, with added reliability, enhanced productivity, and advanced technology.  Although, the five basic principles that launched the original Axial-Flow form the basis of the 2300 series which include simplicity, grain savings, grain quality, adaptability and matched capacity.   This formula has spelled success because in 2002 CaseIH sold 2,500 Axial-Flow combines which made it number over all in the combine market.  Farmers like what models like the 208 hp and 210 bu. 2388 has to offer.  It is a simple combine to operate with its single rotor and it does a great job in corn with an 8 row head.  The 2388 is infact so popular CaseIH will offer it at least through 2006 along side the new AFX 8010 combine. 

The 2388 is the only modern 1/16 combine.   It is a sand cast toy offered by Scale Models.  This is a large toy and takes up plenty of shelf space.  For the 1/16 collector it is a welcome model.  The 1/16 2388 comes with an 8 row corn head, has handrails, a large grain tank and a swing out grain auger.  The 2388 over all is a nicely detailed 1/16 model.  This model sells at most places for about $225.  If you collect 1/16 4wds this is not a shocking price but it does show why there are not more 1/16 combines.  Production numbers of the 1/16 2388 are most likely not high.  In 2001 Scale Models offered a silver 2388 for the 25th Anniversary of the Axial-Flow and less than 400 were made.  In 1998 a 1/16 2366 with the 100,000th ribbon was made by Scale models to replicate the 100,000th Axial-Flow. I have been told less than 20 of those models were produced.  The 1/16 2388 should prove to be a collectible model in the years to come. 

I chose the feature the 2001 2300 series literature for this article because it featured a 2388 in corn on the cover.  This cover is also offered by CaseIH in a picture frame that has lights that light up when plugged in.  This brochure is from the last piece of literature to feature the 2344 the smallest Axial-Flow.  In 2002 the line only included the 2388 and 2366.  There are three variations of 2300 series literature.   In 1998 the first piece had the same cover as the 1995 2100 series.  This piece was replaced in 2001 by the piece shown here.  In 2003 a new piece was introduced showing to 2388's in wheat on the cover.  All of these pieces are too new to assign a value.  

2001CaseIH 2300 Series Literature

1/16 2001 25th Anniversary CaseIH 2388 Axial-Flow combine

 The John Deere 45 combine was the combine built for the masses.  In its day it was a mid-sized combine offering a 50 bu. grain tank a 59 hp 4 cylinder engine.  The 45 was marketed to the farmer looking to make the switch from a pull-type tractor powered combine to a self-propelled.  The 45 was popular in the corn belt as an economical option to harvest corn with its two row corn head.  John Deere's 45 was moderately priced and efficient corn harvester for smaller farms.   The 45, with 26 inch internal capacity, had many of the features found on the larger 55, 95 and 105 combines.  Among those features were and extra-heavy, 22 inch diameter cylinder, cell type grate, full hydraulic steering, disk brakes and 5 step walkers.   A specially equipped cab was available on the 45 for cold winter days.    The 45 was introduced in the 1950's and from 1960  to 1964 it was John Deere's best selling combine.  Production of the 45 ended in 1969.  The 45 was replaced by the John Deere 3300 with a 70 hp diesel engine. 

1/16 Prestige series John Deere 45 combine prototype shown in the summer of 2001 at the Moline Plow City Toy Show

Ertl introduced a 1/16 scale model of the fall of 2001.  The 45 was the first Prestige model from Ertl.  Above is a picture of the prototype shown by Ertl at the Plow city Toy Show.  Prestige from Ertl is a cross between Precision and the normal 1/16 scale.  The Prestige 45 combine is a mix  die-cast and plastic parts.  This type of casting allows for near Precision detail at part of the cost to the collector.  Most dealers carry this replica for about $85.00.  The 45 toy is an early model with a rounded back.  I was particularly impressed with the detail Ertl added in the engine area, grain tank and the header.  The corn header is nicely detailed down to its chains and ability to raise up and down.  The operators platform brings back allot of memories to me.   The seat is what I call an old farmers seat little more than a little metal plate.  I remember ridding with my grandfather on his 55  and you spent most of the day standing because there was no padding on the seat.  Also, can you imagine being out in the wide open all day harvesting on a combine like the 45.   You would itch for days after the harvest because of all the dust that came down on you.  The best thing ever added to a combine was a cab with a comfortable seat and air-conditioning. From what I see on ToyTractorShow.com's most recent poll it would appear that Ertl is looking to offer a second John Deere Prestige combine.  It looks like it will have a wheat head this time.  I personally would like to see a late model 95 or 105 with a cab.  

I do not have literature on the early 45 with the rounded back.  Below is a 1969 John Deere Corn Special brochure featuring the 45,55,95 and 105.  There is also a picture of the Ertl introduction flyer for the Prestige 45 toy featuring the real 45 at its introduction.   The Corn Special literature is interesting..  It days gone buy John Deere, International, J.I. Case and Allis-Chalmers Gleaner offered corn special combines for farmers who focused on corn as a crop.  John Deere's 5 series had special corn options that included stronger bearings, sheaves, shafts, and other load bearing parts.  Because of the heavy duty parts the John Deere Corn Specials weighed more than most combines.  Corn Specials had other refinements including an improved fan, easy-off instrument panel, central fuse panel and a steel-roller conveyor chain for a big capacity top driven clean grain return.  The Corn Special combines as had a perforated unloading auger to clean the grain as the corn was unloaded.   The John Deere 5 series Corn Special brochure sells for around $25.