Gehl HK108 haybine - avoid?

Our little operation has the option on some really nice hay ground about 18 miles away. There is a tractor on site we can use, but no hay equipment. I can't see hauling our antique stuff that far to make hay there too. Saw this Gehl haybine at a dealer and it looks like it's seen a better day. Dealer is asking about 700 for it, as is. I know Gehl is out of the ag business, and wondering how hard parts are to find. I see it shares some guard and knife parts with IH, but wondering if there is more or less in common with other makes. I can fix or fab most anything, but I don't want to be forced to while burning good hay time.

Anyone out there who has had experience with this one? Is this something to take a chance on? or should I wait for something everyone else is looking for, like a NH 4xx series?

I'm gonna ask to hear it run before tendering an offer.

Thanks.

I have never used a Gehl sickle base mower conditioner (aka haybine). That said, I have never read much good about them either from those who have and as you already know absolutely no parts support from Gehl. Additionally, since they were not that common (at least in my area) used parts will be few and far between).

Myself: If the machine was immaculate, well cared for and appeared like new in appearance, and cheap in price ($700 is rather cheap) then I would absolutely risk it. That said I would put my $700 towards something else if it is rough like you say.

I personally would look for a Hesston 1120. I actually paid less than $700 for a very rough 1120. New Holland is good too if you can find one the rolls are in decent shape along with the wobble box being in good shape. I simply like the Hesston as the rollers are rugged and the sickle drive system is also rugged. Not saying it was better than the New Holland when both were brand new but on a 20 to 30 year old unit with lots of wear and age then I like my chances of keeping my Hesston running for cheap money compared to New Holland's de-laminating rollers or wobble box rebuilds (either of which can exceed the value of the unit).

Again - my 2 cents.

I don't know what model it was,but there was one year there in the 80's when a Gehl mower/conditioner won the FEMA award for product of the year.

Ask a Gehl dealer who made it for them! I have an old 2230 that I saved from the scrapper, same as 1014 Hesston. I posted a link to a manual just in case someone recognizes the make. I don't know if it is an OMC or Hesston or what?
Hay King

BrownSwiss, good thought. That's essentially what I was asking in the OP, but the link makes it better. Slow and unreliable internet out here makes me think differently than those who can access stuff within the space of a 'click'.

Myself: If the machine was immaculate, well cared for and appeared like new in appearance, and cheap in price ($700 is rather cheap) then I would absolutely risk it. That said I would put my $700 towards something else if it is rough like you say.

I personally would look for a Hesston 1120.

Click to expand...

Greatly appreciate your feedback, Rankrank. In my area, I believe I've seen just one Hesston mo-co, and that was probably 30 years ago. I know I've seen at least one other Gehl, which to my experience makes them at least twice as common here as a Hesston (lol). Waiting for an 1120 to show up locally may take a very, very long time, especially when I don't really have much time to be looking. With that advice, I can watch for one for as a longer term machine.

An uncle put up about 4,500 bales a year with NH equipment, and I remember him rebuilding the haybine wobble box at least twice, though the 69 baler was pretty much faultless. A older farmer I know finally beat his 7' NH to death, scrapped it and bought a fair to good condition 9' (or perhaps 11') NH a few years ago - the only one he could find at the time. Paid a dealer about 3k for it. He didn't use it much, has since developed dementia, and his family won't part with it for much less than he has in it. That's more than I can justify ATM for the privilege of putting up about 500 bales a year from 3 small plots for the next couple years.

I just hit craigslist for "haybine", and got "zero local results". Looks like the closest one for sale in my price range is either Ohio or Canada. That's a long drive with truck and trailer to go see if one is even worth buying.

Unless there are no other options in the next couple weeks, I'll probably pass on this Gehl unless it turns out to be a "made for Gehl by ...", or it sounds and cuts a lot better than it looks. I suspect the dealer knows that smaller mocos aren't exactly common around here anymore, so can ask (and probably get) a lot more than it would be worth elsewhere.

It's a shame I like this area. High taxes and lack of suitable affordable equipment make for just another reason to move. :-/

Well, I did not buy my machine local either. Made a trip from SW Ohio to Tennessee for it (8 hours 1 way or 16 hours round trip).

Even after the gas for the truck still had less than $700 in it. Sure there was wear and tear on my truck, but I did not account for that as the wife and I often go sight seeing on long drives and eat out anyway to KY and TN.

Combine my pick up trip of the haybine with a mini trip that the wife like to do and it was a win win for both of us.

FWIW: "haybine" is trademark name for NH only. While some people will call every machine of that style a haybine many will not. So what I am saying is make sure you also search under "mower conditioner" and JD's trademark of "moco" when you do internet searches.