Wheat harvest 2008 marks the celebration of the 85th anniversary of Gleaner combines. For Toy Tractor Times it is exciting to report on the rich heritage of Gleaner.

Throughout farming history, nothing has been more emotion-packed than the harvest. After all the family farm's livelihood, prosperity and future depend on a successful harvest. It was Gleaner that made self-propelled mechanized harvesting possible on the family farm. For Gleaner 85 years of harvesting history means 85 years of innovation. Gleaner has set many standards in harvest from the first self-propelled combine in 1923, the first corn combine in the 1930's, the first large self propelled combines in the 1950's, hillside combines in the 1960's, 360 degree rotary separation in the 1970's, the markets first class 8 combine, the first 12 row corn head and today high speed harvesters able to unload 350 bu. in 88 seconds.

Toy Tractor Times annual wheat harvest issue traces the interesting history of Gleaner combines through pictures, farm toys, sales literature and video. There are allot of Gleaner toys on the market that you may want to look at adding to your collection. I want to thank T.T.T members Jason Bengough and Samuel Heavner for sharing their interest in Gleaner combines in this month’s magazine. It is my hope that this issue of the Toy Tractor Times will be a definitive on-line resource on Gleaner combine collecting for years to come.

Until Next Times.....

Jason and Stefanie Hasert