Haybine Questions

Bill VA · Jun 5, 2014

Considering a New Holland haybine - used. Kind of had my sights set on a 472. Reason for choosing the 472 is we have small fields and that I generally read good reviews, sounds like there are lots of them out there, have been made for a long time and most important (for me) is hopefully lots of online internet/forum support as a fallout of so many of these haybines being sold over the years.

Having said the 472, there is a 477 and a 478 for sale locally.

Question is - should I consider the 477/478 or keep looking for a 472? How are these haybines different?

What should I look out for when going to look at a 472 or the 477/478 haybine?

Would be using a Ford 3000 or MF50 with the haybine.

Should I be considering other makes of haybines, like Hesston or Deere?

Thanks!
Bill

Zachary Hoyt · Jun 5, 2014

I have pulled our NH 461 with a Massey 35 on occasions when the Farmall is unavailable. It has plenty of power to run it but lacks remote hydraulics so I can't lift the head. If you have a remote I think you would be looking good. I have not heard of the 472 before.
Zach

Dave H (MI) · Jun 5, 2014

Every time I look at one of those old NH haybines the rollers are shot or nearly so. Check into the cost of replacing the rollers. It was a lot last time I checked.

55deere70 · Jun 5, 2014

Not sure about the 477, but the 478 and 472 are essentially the same machine. The 472 has an updated wobble drive and the hold downs are spring loaded. I have a well worn 478 that still works good for me. The rolls on mine are about 90%, some of the rubber on the ends has started to come off.

Weldon K · Jun 8, 2014

477 were 1970's and early 80's era machines. 478 was next model. 472 current model. 477 had a more complex drive line. Front part of pto drive shaft to tractor was fixed length. First bearing tower was movable, hinged on a bolt through tongue of machine. Then a medium length telescoping shaft with 2 u-joints. Then a second bearing tower, then a shorter telescoping shaft with 2 u-joints that attached to the gear case.
478 and 472 had a rigid front bearing tower. PTO shaft to tractor telescoped. One long telescoping drive shaft with 2 u-joints from front bearing tower to gear case. Any of these models give good service.
There also was a 474 , a seven foot model that had a different type of flexible mounting system for the head.
Google search for all those models to see pictures for comparison.

packratt · Jun 9, 2014

I've got a NH477 that I got second hand. Once I got all the bugs worked out of it, things went fine. We only bale about 20 acres a year, but it is a very thick mix of fescue, orchard grass, clover and whatever else is growing in the field. This year the welds which hold the bracket that the end bearing of the gearbox output shaft broke on me.

Due to time constraints I borrowed a NH472 a cousin wasn't using. His mower is set up with the stub guards and the blade doesn't seem to clog with thatch and thick hay as the blade on the 477. But I couldn't get it adjusted to cut as low as the 477 but I think that was due to some bad repairs to the shoes on the 472.

Both did a good job, but I think I like the drive line of the 477 better even if it is more complicated.

We usually pull the 477 with a 2040 Deere (40hp) and last year I was rolling along in Hi 1 with no problems and we got a record number of bales.

Bret4207 · Jun 10, 2014

As was said, roll condition is a big factor. If they are bald with lots of steel showing, forget it.

I mow with a 472. It's been very reliable and is handy on my irregular fields. I have about 60 acres I get over 1-2 times a year. I'd like a 9-11 foot model, but I will likely never get rid of the 472. Very reliable, as Long as I don't make real tight turns. The u joint yoke has it's limits!

If I was going to replace the 472 I would probably go with a drum mower, as long as I had a tedder.

packratt · Jun 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 04:10:23 06/10/14) Very reliable, as Long as I don't make real tight turns. The u joint yoke has it's limits!

If I was going to replace the 472 I would probably go with a drum mower, as long as I had a tedder.

Haven't noticed a problem with tight turns with the 477. If a neighbor works the deal he is trying to I may pick up his old NH discbine. The price he told us is nearly giving it away. It's still in good shape because he cut the 50 acres next to us with it.

Haybine Questions

Bill VA

Well-known Member

Zachary Hoyt

Well-known Member

Dave H (MI)

Well-known Member

55deere70

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Weldon K

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packratt

Member

Bret4207

Well-known Member

packratt

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