NH 404 or equivalent hay conditioner wanted.

Texasmark1 · Dec 27, 2012

Hi,

I am looking for a straight hay conditioner, no cutter and
conditioner (MOCO). I know NH and JD make them and I only
suspect that they are seldom used today due to the MOCO that
has been out for half a century combining the cutter and the
conditioner. I have had several over the years.

Regardless, I have a small place now being retired, and I have a
drum mower which solves all the problems I had in the past with
sickles. I am looking for a stem "smasher" so that I can grow
some sorghum/sudan hay and improve my yield from my small
hay patch. What I had in mind for a crop doesn't have sufficient
yield and I wasn't setup for big, thick stems that you don't get
with grasses.

I have done an extensive search looking for one for sale to no
avail.

But, common sense tells me that someone out there has one
back in the row of outdated and unused equipment that I might
purchase and reasonably bring back to usable condition for a
reasonable price and transport back here to N. Texas.

Thanks for your time.

Mark

Texasmark1 · Dec 28, 2012

Well the common sense approach paid off. Went out today rubbernecking and came upon a farm that had lots of hay piled up and it looked like half a dozen haybines mothballed and worn out sitting in the pasture. Figured this ought to be the place.

The gent came out to meet me, told him my story and that I really wanted a NH 404........he said I have one of those. Showed it to me, said he'd take $300.

Looking at it, all it needed was a spring for the roller locks, a new drive chain and some air in a very usable looking tire. I handed him $300 and that was that. Drive home was about 15 miles.

Walla, can't beat a deal like that.

Thanks anyway
Mark

495man · Dec 28, 2012

Nice, often funny how things are right under your nose.

Even better the guy sold it to you and not "oh I am going to fix that up some day and use it" (only to have it sit for years and years)

Texasmark1 · Dec 29, 2012

Funny you said that. The guy had at least half a dozen Haybines
sitting around that he wore out and this 404 was among them. He
said to me as I was looking it over that he had thought about
restoring it cosmetically and putting it in his yard.

But when I asked the price and he gave it to me and I said I have
that amount in my wallet, all the best made plans went out the
window. Grin.

Mark

NH 404 or equivalent hay conditioner wanted.

Texasmark1

Well-known Member

Texasmark1

Well-known Member

495man

Well-known Member

Texasmark1

Well-known Member

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