What haybine to get?

mmfun

Member
Going to be looking for a haybine this fall discbine will be to expensive. Was looking at the 488 can find them for $1200 to $2800 in west central Wisconsin. What is good or bad with this or should I look at a different make or model? Looking at the 9 to 12 foot range. Thank you for any help in this matter.
 
The 488 is a good model. In fact, they still make them. I ran a used one for 20 years and had very little trouble with it. Liked it so well, I bought a new one last year. They are not expensive to operate and don"t require more than 50 HP to operate. I haven"t had much trouble with sickle maintenance and stub guards pretty much eliminate plugging.
 
You can"t go wrong with a 488. I have one myself. That is probably one of the most popular haybines ever built. They are still in production to this day, so that"s saying something.
 
Real good machine. I d watch for slop in the gearbox though. There is a woodruff key in ther that will egg out the keyway and break the shaft.
 
When we were putting up alfalfa we used the International 990. They were good cutters and required little attention. Now I use Kuhn disc cutters that are 10.5 feet wide.
 
I would not pay a lot for one as their value is falling fast. I went from a 488 to a 6ft 8 in. 3 pt disc mower. The smaller disc mower cuts hay some much faster and so much cleaner. Really there is just no comparison. On this grass hay I can't see any difference not having the rollers. I just use a Pequea hay fluffer and it dries nice and green.
 
If you're willing to spend 2800... and shop around you can probably get about as much disc mower as you're going to get for haybine in that price range. Buying any of them of the vintage that will be at that price is like buying a pig in a bag...
The biggest concern I'd have on any haybine is to make sure the wobble box is tight and not leaking. The Deere's were somewhat notorious for needing repair in that area. Check them over for bad bearings... rubber peeling from the rollers, etc.
If you do look at discbines, just make sure that the discs are tight on their shafts. It would also be good to pull the level/fill plugs from the top of the bar and see if there's oil in it or filings on the plug. If it's clean and has oil... there's not really any more to worry about than a haybine... An 8mm allen bit usually removes those plugs.
Constant velocity joints are also a good thing to check out if the machine has one... it's an expensive item to replace if it's bad. Running the machine up to speed will tell you a lot. Bad joints will vibrate... BAD.

Rod
 
Hesston 1120. Or the CIH equivalent. 8330 I THINK was the number on those. When one of those laminated rolls or the wobble box on a New Holland comes apart on you,you'll find out why.
 
If you're not really planning on getting any bigger, a sickle machine will probably work for you. But, if you think you'll grow, put that down as a down payment on a decent used discbine. It will allow you to expand and cut your field time tremendously. Unless you don't have any horsepower to run it, the sickle type haybine is OK. Look for a good 1209 or 1219 JD that isn't all beat up and have bald rolls. But do look for a machine that will 'float' over high stuff, unlike the older machines that on;y have vertical movement. Trying to find a machine that is still in good shape may take some looking.
 
I have a 1985 NH488 that I purchased when it was 24 years old. I have been cutting with it for four years now with no trouble. It cost at the high end of your range, is easy to figure out and work on and maintain. It does not take much HP to run as others have said. If I were you I would pick up a good 488 or JD1209 if you are not planning on additional acreage in the next few years.
 
I had an old 495, worked great with downed crop, wish i still had it. if you can find one in good shape. Does require more HP and is not fun to switch from transport to field and back. Other than that, good machine, make sure bearings on Wobble assembly are in good shape.
 
I am a JD guy but if I was looking for a cheaper sickle mower conditioner I would look at a NH 488. They have made that same model for over 25 years. Make sure the conditioning rolls are in good shape. With a good sickle and guards you can mow a lot of hay with them.

I would steer away from the older JD sickles mowers, 1209/1219 or 1207/1217. At this age they are getting to have issues with the sickle gear case. They are expensive to repair. The NH has a simpler drive system. It is easier to work on and the parts are cheaper. Plus if it is a major part you can find used ones.
 
With a 990 you don"t have to pull the gear box to change the belts.I heard on N.H. you do. Good tip on checking the key way!
 
I know you were looking for a new Holland.I am thinking of letting my case IH 8330 go. A lot of life left in the machine. Works good. Looks good too.I am in se Wi 45 min from Madison .414-313-1109 steve
 
For that itty bitty bit of hay you better of to hire a neighbor to cut it for ye,for an hour worth of work it ain't worth buying a haybine for yourself.

my 2c
 
First things firs what dealerships do you have around and how well are they established. Yes New Holland mowers are very good machines (IMO the best out there) but they all break and when it does you don't want to have to wait 3-4 days to get your mowing machine back together.
 
Hey Steve, figured I'd let you know my brother got a chance to use the baler you sold him and he loves it. He made some horse hay with it and the guy thought the bales were cute and figured his wife and daughter would be able to handle them easier. Now he's itching to find some wheat straw for when pumpkin season comes around again.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 

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