OT: hydra swing VS Off set swathers

Trying to make a decision as to which direction to go. I would like to move up to a disc mower from the sickle type haybine in order to speed up haying. I am fumbling with the idea of going to a hydra swing as well to enable myself to mow back forth across the field as in my mind this would save time mowing and raking/baling also. What are your opinions, do the benefits of a hydra swing justify the added cost? Also are there any additional costs to maintaing one?

If you can afford, it go with the hydra swing. You will love it. More productivity mowing. raking, and baling. Plus fewer head lands that where guessed wrong.
Maintance would not be much different.

You will not regret buying a center pull discbine. I have a JD 956, its 14'6" cut and it has the two point hitch that hooks to the 3 point on my 7220 magnum. If you go with the 3 point setup make sure you have a BIG tractor as it can push you around a bit, because it is pushing up higher on the tractor and it is behing you farther. The great thing about the 3 point setup is you wont blow out u-joints. The other great thing is being able to turn tighter than you could ever imagined. What size discbine were you looking at?

What size acerage?
How heavy a tractor?
How much horsepower?

These are issues that should have been stated I think. A bigger tractor cost more per hour to run. A more expensive mower cost more per acre, & You have to guess whats going to happen to farming over the next few years, & beyond. Discmower blades are more likely to break over a sicklebar from what I hear. In 1977, or 78 my dad bought a New Holland "489" haybine we averaged at least 75 acres (based on 3 25 acre cuts / yr), & kept it until 1985. I dont ever remember any single item on that machine breaking, or bending, or wearing excessively. I only remember it jamming up once, & that happened because the header skids were not set correctly. Knowing how that machine was; I wouldnt want anything else. Except for a newer model which is almost the same. My Grandad said many a time that "Faster doesnt make things better often; if it costs a lot more!". If speed is all Your after then OK; But if not!!! In this case a couple of advantages, & lots of disadvantages... Just my opinion!

Scotty

I love having a hydra-swing haybine. We run a Hesston 1014+2, which is just a twin sickle haybine. The cut time is reduced dramatically vs. a side pull. I can cut a 15 acre field of 2nd crop in 2 hours flat. It's pretty square and flat so not too many odd chunks to have to cut out. It's hard to not cut more hay than we can get baled in a day with that machine.

Donovan from Wisconsin

I am mowing with my planting tractor, 105hp 1105 Massey that weighs in at about 6ton. I am putting up 300-350 acres a year and the last few years it has been a struggle with the wet weather...but I have been glad to see the rain!

Looking at going with something around the 12-14 foot range. Local dealer has a slick looking 1340 Hesston on the lot, but I am also considering a 1431 NH or possibly a 1030 Vermeer. Anyone have any thoughts on those machines?

Just to pass along, I've heard a lot of bad things about the Vermeer disc mowers. The Hesston or New Holland are both good machines.

get a 14 foot hydro-swing. you will love it. thats all we run at work is a newer jd 14 foot hydroswing diskbine and we put up over 500 acres of hay.
just my opinion
M puller

Dont walk away from the New Holland machines.......RUN as fast as you can, Go with the Hesston or Deere.

I've run hydro-swings for years,love em!pulled them with a 560 up to a 1256.currently useing a 499NH(12ft).Worn out 2 1014 hesstons(14 ft)Good machines!

Oh sheesh! And here I thought this thread had something to do with Victoria's Secret.

What problems have you had with New Holland discbines? I've been running them nearly 20 years thru tough conditions and have never had to replace anything but knives.

Hit a rock once and you will see. Everyone who had NH 10-15 years ago all own Deeres now.