Trading a Ford 601 picker for a New Idea 311

Jason S. · Sep 2, 2014

A boy I know has picked up a 311 picker with the 313 husking bed. He is wanting a single row picker. I have two 601 pickers. Both of my 601 pickers run although one is rougher than the other. I grew up using New Idea snappers but I have never used one of their pickers. He is wanting me to trade both of my pickers for his 311. I would rather have a pull type picker for sure,but this picker has set for many years. It would take some work. Plus it is a wide row. I looked at his picker and the snapping rolls are good and tight but I noticed some of the rubber flaps are gone off the fingers on the husking bed. So what's your guys opinion? Was the 311 a decent machine? Even if it was a bad machine it should still be more desirable than the Ford pickers I would think but I could be wrong. All help and knowledge is appreciated.

Fordfarmer · Sep 2, 2014

I had a 311 for a while. Worked pretty well until the elevator started to buckle. Was never great at husking, though. It's getting to be an old machine... it was replaced by the 324, and those have been out of production for what, 25? 30? years now. And as you said, it's a wide row.
Your 601's may have more value to a Ford collector than to someone wanting to use them.

stevob671 · Sep 3, 2014

We had a 311 for a while when our 602 picker gave up. Did a surprising job of picking up the downed rows after opening into a field. Picked about the same as the 602 otherwise, but the elevator didn't keep up quite as well being narrower. Easier on the ears being farther behind! Where are you approx- I might be interested in the 601?

Jason S. · Sep 3, 2014

I'm in east TN.

stevob671 · Sep 3, 2014

Sorry, way too far from Minnesnowta.

Trading a Ford 601 picker for a New Idea 311

Jason S.

Well-known Member

Fordfarmer

Well-known Member

stevob671

Member

Jason S.

Well-known Member

stevob671

Member

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