McCormick 123 Combine

[j1984]

Here is a picture of my old 1944 McCormick 123 sp combine. Runs and works great. I know of 2 or 3 of these but how many were produced and how many are left?

[R Pope]

There are 3 or 4 123's close to me. My brother ran one in the '60's, he claimed they were called 123's because there were 123 grease zerks that had to be hit daily! Cool old machine, not many people fix up old combines.

[756-310]

my grandfather had a 123(?) in the late 50's and early 60's as well as a friend of his. I remember the 2 machines combining oats together one summer when is was young. I am somewhat sure they were 123s but the 2 machines I just mentioned had an unloading auger like a 715. Was machine a different model than a 123, or was the auger an option over gravity unloader. I also remember his grain tank sitting lower behind the operator. I always liked to ride with him even if it was really dirty.

[j1984]

I believe the 125's were glorified 123's and they had an unloading auger vs the gravity shoot.

[Big Bud guy]

I believe the 125's were glorified 123's and they had an unloading auger vs the gravity shoot.

There were three versions of the 125. The 125 SP, 125 SPV, and 125 SPVC. The 125 SP still had the gravity dump tank. They went to the auger on the 125 SPVs. Nice combine you have there.

[Big Bud guy]

my grandfather had a 123(?) in the late 50's and early 60's as well as a friend of his. I remember the 2 machines combining oats together one summer when is was young. I am somewhat sure they were 123s but the 2 machines I just mentioned had an unloading auger like a 715. Was machine a different model than a 123, or was the auger an option over gravity unloader. I also remember his grain tank sitting lower behind the operator. I always liked to ride with him even if it was really dirty.

Hesston made an aftermarket kit that included an auger and lowering the grain tank. There are a few ad scans in the Vintage Ad post on the coffee forum. Just going by the few pics I have seen of 123s and early 125s it looks to me like it was a popular kit and I am betting that is what those two combines if in fact they were 123s or early 125s. The unloading auger came on the 125 SPV. Hesston also offered a variable speed attachment and finger auger too.

[R Pope]

One of the "humpbacks" near me has the Farmall narrow steering wheels, must be an early model?

[Kevingweq]

J1984 Have you recently restored your Combine ?? or are you preparing to do a restoration ??

Sure is a nice machine

[j1984]

On 2/13/2016 at 3:26 PM, Kevingweq said:

J1984 Have you recently restored your Combine ?? or are you preparing to do a restoration ??

Sure is a nice machine

Thank you. It was restored about 15 or so years ago by the guy I bought it from. I use it every year as a demonstration for our local tractor show at oakley michigan. here is a url for a youtube video of it running.