488 vs. 479 vs. 469 NH haybines

I have had a NH 461 haybine for many years, and last season, I had quite a bit of downtime with mowing some real heavy
down and tangled 1st cutting mixed hay. Did some upgrades including new guards and upgraded sickle in it. The rubber
rolls are good in it. I was thinking about keeping it for a backup but upgrading to a 469, 479, or 488 since they seem to
be plentiful. I make about 25 acres a year. Discbine is not in the budget.

What are the major differences between a 469 and 479? I know the 488 is still being made today. Is a 488 the best one out
of the three? Thanks for any advice
 
The 488 has one less joint in the PTO shaft. The bad part, it doesn't narrow down as well for road travel. Otherwise 479 and 488 about the same, maybe 479 larger tires.
 

Just add another 25 acres so that you can afford the Discbine. Wait, you better make it another 50 because you will need a bigger tractor. No wait, better make it another 75 because you will need a newer baler with a thrower. Have fun!!!
 
479 and 488 are about the same save a carrier in the drive shaft. 469 has pawls that drive it after the gearbox that tend to wear. 469 also has a different wobble than the 479/488. When looking at a 479/488 check for slop in the drive between the clutch and the drive sprockets. There is a half moon key and slot that are prone to wear. If not addressed it cause the output shaft from the gearbox to shear.
 

The 488 is a good machine with a multitude of parts available. It's a good machine. I'd lean that was if I was intent on staying with NH.
 
Disclosure, I have had a 488 for about a dozen years. I think I would say buy a 488. The 469 and 479s are getting plenty old. If you happened to run across a good one that is in your budget, I would not discourage you from buying it, but I would bet good 469's and 479s with good rollers and good drivetrains are hard to find these days. Get a decent 488 and you wont have to worry about spending your time looking for another mower in the next several years (unless of course you take Showcrops advice....).
 
Dad bought a new 488 in 1976. I am still using it. It has cut thousands of acres of hay. They still make them.
 
I would lean towards the 488. Great machine, still in production, parts are plenty - just avoid rollers that are delaminating and/or have chunks missing.

Also, if you can find on in good shape, look for a Hession 1120 or it's CaseIH colored version 8330. Excellent machines.
 
I ran a 461 for about 10 years. Then I bought a worn out 469, had the rolls replaced and I then replaced basically every moving part so it was a like new machine with a worn out frame. The 461 cut just as good but the right tire rode on the hay. The 469 had adjustable shields and didn?t ride on the hay. When I backed the 469 up to clear off the guards, the frame would push back and bunch up the cut hay. One trick I learned was to pull the knife bar and clean out the guard grooves the knife rides in. Cut like a champ for about 10 acres. I normally mow in the evenings after work so cutting few wet hay is what I am up against. I would look for a 479 over a 469 mostly because there are a few improvements, other wise they are the same. 8 years ago I got around to buying a NI 5209 discbine. Wow. I really enjoy mowing hay now. And I only do 25 acres too.
 
Is not any one able to tell me if some of those models are a 7' cut and others a 9' cut and did they make both sizes in same model. My experiance is with a Case 555 9' machine that was about same as a Heston PT-10 and the PT-7 was the 7' cut version but I don't know if 7' was made as a case or not. So are they a 7' or 9' cut?
 
I think you must be intending to reply to post about JD1209 above. Not the New Holland 488, 479 or 469. I did not know New Holland made a 1209 or 1207 machine.
 

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