Meccano Combine Harvester

This CAD model is my slightly modified version of a Meccano Combine Harvester (Model No. 10.13) from 1973. The model appears to be based on a Canadian Massey-Harris 780 harvester manufactured at their factory in Kilmarnock, Scotland during the 1950s.

These harvesters were very popular among British farmers during the food shortages following World War II and were knicknamed the “Red Beetle” on account of their bright red paint colour. Classified as “bagger ” combines, they automatically loaded the grain into sacks which slid down the chute onto the field to be later taken away by trailer for drying. 

The model includes an electric motor for driving the front wheels, air fan, and the reel and auger in the gathering head. It also includes a gear box with gear selection linkage that provides two forward speeds and reverse. There are also control levers for engaging and disengaging the reel and auger, and for raising and lowering the gathering head. The actual model is about 26 inches (66 cm) long.