New Holland introduced the first rotary combine harvester in 1975, and IH followed two years later. Gleaner completed its own solution for the year 1979. Gleaner decided to position the rotor transversely and claimed that the power requirement was lower with this solution. According to Gleaner, the shorter rotor length was achieved because instead of a straw elevator underneath, the separation/cleaning area was 360 degrees. The N7 was the most powerful combine of its time, and its 910 cm cutting header was the widest on the market. The engine in this model was an 8.5-liter turbocharged Allis-Chalmers. Smaller models had a 7.0-liter engine. The transmission was always hydrostatic and equipped with a load-sensing pump. Unlike previous Gleaners, the unloading auger was hydraulically driven. However, reverse reel drive was still an optional extra. Twin wheels could be fitted at the front (at best 30.5-32 alongside 18.4-38) and hydrostatic four-wheel drive was available at the rear. The first rotary combines from Gleaner gained a bad reputation, but the problems were significantly fixed during this model series.

After Deutz purchased Allis-Chalmers' agricultural machinery production, Gleaner models R5, R6, and R7 were manufactured in 1986-87, which featured Deutz's green stripe on the side. The unloading pipe was longer and the straw spreader improved, but otherwise, changes were minor compared to the N models. The R5's power was 200 horsepower instead of 190.

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