cutditioner

Harryaroo · Jun 23, 2022

I have a New Idea cutditioner that is cutting quite poorly. Any advice on how to sharpen the paddles? Can new ones still be purchased?

Timmycornpicker · Jun 23, 2022

I never had luck sharpening the one-piece style on the machine when I had one. As much as a pain as it was, pulling the rods and dropping the flails and sharpening in the shop worked better. If you have the late style with the bolt-on cutting edge you don't need to pull the rods but your day will be easier if you have an impact wrench.
Shoups New Idea selection

farmalluver · Jun 23, 2022

It was possible to get newones when i checked 5 years ago but they were over 300 bucks at the time. since i only paid 600 for the machine didnt think it was worth it. I sharpened mine on the machine with an angle grinder, worked ok, but it was a pain. Also make sure you have enough HP, should have 9-10 HP per foot cutting width as a minimum.

JayinNY · Jun 23, 2022

I struggled back in the 1990s with a avco new idea 272, pull the I think it had 4 rods, sharpen the paddles, but that thing just tore the hay, After cutting our field with that, It took about three weeks longer than the neighbors field to green up, he had a haybine, ours left 8 or more inches ofstubble on the field that was about the worst mower I ever saw, good luck with it, was happy when ours was sent down the road.

Traditional Farmer · Jun 24, 2022

I have one I paid $50 for at an auction years ago,cuts too slow and takes too much HP.Only use for it I found is to scatter out windrows to dry if they get rained on.

Bruce from Can. · Jun 24, 2022

Farmer I worked for while in high school during the 70s, bought a brand new NI cutditioner. It was 8 foot, and our biggest tractor was a 165 MF. It took everything that tractor had. The first year or two it wasnt too bad, but we pulled the knives to sharpen them year 3. A lot of work, for very little gain. I thought all it was really any good for was chopping up corn stalks.

Kerwin · Jun 24, 2022

I bought a whole new set for my 279 cutditioner last year. It was an online store that sold other cutter parts. Can't remember the name but search the web using the new idea part number and you should find it. With the new blades mine cuts great, use it for all my hay ground. Nice step up from my haybine and a lot less parts than a discbine.

gus1 · Jun 27, 2022

I have to sharpen my New Idea 272 every 10 acres or so or the cut looks bad.. I just crawl under and use a 4" angle grinder, it takes about 20-30 minutes, but the cut is nice and it makes good hay. I cut about 50 acres a year, biggest complaint is the walking speed I have to cut at. Takes a long time.

cutditioner

Harryaroo

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Timmycornpicker

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farmalluver

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JayinNY

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Traditional Farmer

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Bruce from Can.

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Kerwin

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gus1

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