Deutz-Fahr Topliner 8XL combine harvester: Two walkers too far?

Back in the 1990s the Deutz-Fahr engineers were pushing the boundaries with new machine concepts, one of which was deemed to be the world’s first eight-walker combine, the aptly named 8XL. We speak to one farming user to see what the design is like to live with

The 1990s was a golden era for Deutz-Fahr and led to the development of numerous self-propelled machines, such as the Grasliner mower (1989), PowerPress 120H baler (1994), Gigant 400 forager (1996) and the Grasant 260H mower (1998). The 8XL was yet another result of this golden Deutz age. The first ever photos of the new harvester appeared in our April 1997 issue, when we had an opportunity to drive the machine in South Africa.