JD GM vs. Swather

Title says it all, can a JD GM with a nice, strong engine handle a swather? Have stumbled across a Hesston PT10, and I think that IF I can get it, I can get it dirt cheap!

Are parts easy and cheapish to get?

Are they a good machine?

Bryce

Do you have a standard size PTO in your GM? My G has the oversize shaft and would need an adapter.

Power should be no issue. Just known that the. Pt-10 is an old machine. Most any I have ever seen were wore out 20 years ago. That said, they have cut countless acres of hay in my area of MN. They were a popular machine in their day.

A PT10 ought to be "dirt cheap" They are older than dirt.

(quoted from post at 08:44:24 12/15/14) A PT10 ought to be "dirt cheap" They are older than dirt.

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Go through the posts in Implement Alley or at Hay Talk about the PT10. Decent machines when cared for and maintained. Nightmares if you buy a warn out junker. If you buy one, start looking for 2 or 3 more for parts. But that's that same as any machine of the same era or over 10 years old anyway.Condition is going to be the key.

I'd be concerned that the uneven power from the 2-cylinder engine would tend to shake the old machine apart. If it were a newer mower in phenomenal shape it might take it, but it's probably in pretty fragile condition.

If it needs good hyd. pressure to lift it ? Then the old G won't make much pressure. 800 psi come to mind ?

Oh no. I tell people you just need to get the piston firing in sync with the sickle stroke. Then they run real smooth.

Bryce, under a lot of conditions your C Farmall could handle it. I hasd the Case version and all we ever put on it is a 41 Farmall H with standard gas pistons and it handled it just fine. The John Deere B 49 model with same horsepower as the Farmall was hooked to the baler with kicker and pulled a wagon all the time. That machine does not require the heavy hydrolic system as do the ones that raise and lower the complete machine except for the wheels, on this model you just raise only the header and a 2" cylinder would give adequate lift for that. And as far as the shake issue with the 2 cylinders that is pure Bu!! cra!. Years ago AC dealer knew we had 2 AC 60 combines one PTO, the other with the AC engine, The shaker broke and they started on about the 2 cylinder caused it not realizing it was the AC powered machine that broke. After we layed it on them that it was AC powered and not Deere powered they never said a word about that to any one after that. Big problem could be the 1 3/4" PTO the G's had as you put on the extension adapter you are lengthing the shaft and the turning geometry is changed so things do not make turns without hammering. Same with the 1 1/8" shaft on the early Model A Deeres.

They were a good machine in their day but that day has come and gone. Haying is something that you need to do when the weather conditions are right and because of that you need equipment that is reliable and ready. Parts for that Hesston pt 10 may be hard to find I do remember that it had a common defect when the balancer would fall of the wobbler and then the machine would shake itself to death.
Without seeing the machine I can't advise you as to buy or not since a machine in real good {like factory new] could give you years of service.
The JD G" would run the machine just fine. The idea that the JD tractor would shake it apart is not very likely. The engine when running at speed to give a 540 pto speed would be quite smooth.

Pops has found a place online that sells a new pto shaft for a JD G / GM, and it claims in the ad, that you can remove your big one, and put this one right into the tractor, and it is 1 3/8 I think... The normal size at least!

The one that is on the tractor is pretty hammered and needs to be replaced before I would trust it... Bryce

Where are you?
I have a PT10 with extra tires. It is getting close to going to one of the local scrappers.
It WILL NOT mow hay as is, has a bearing out.
First 500 will buy it.
My email is open.
DOUG

Idaho, A little too far... Thanks though!