Classic Combines

This is a video of archive film extracts tracing the development of mechanised cereal harvesting from the days of the scythe to computer-controlled combine harvesting complete with satellite yield mapping systems in the 1990s. The first part of the video looks at early days in the harvest field when the binder reigned supreme. Brian Bell's selection of films features rare footage of early harvesting machines manufactured by various American and European manufacturers including International Harvester, Ransomes, Fisher Humphries and Claas. The video brings the combine harvester story up to date with promotional films by Claas, John Deere, New Holland and Massey Ferguson.