E 512

The story

When the E 510 update of the old E 170 failed to beat it in 1963 trials, East German planners decided in 1964 to design a new combine from scratch. After testing rivals including the Soviet SK-4, Claas Matador Gigant and Clayson 140, the factory built prototypes in 1966, passed state tests in 1967 and began series production at a modernised Singwitz plant in 1968.

The E 512 was the first Fortschritt combine developed entirely in the GDR and was shown at the Leipzig fair in 1969. Over twenty years it gained a cab, automatic cutting height control, steering assistance, a change from blue to olive green paint and, in 1987, an on-board grain loss computer.

It was replaced by the E 514.