JD 1209 mower conditioner

Looking at a JD 1209 with bad conditioning rolls. Could one remove the rolls and run it without? Have grass hay and use a Tedder. Machine appears in decent shape other than that. Thanks in advance for any advice
 
Is the rubber coming off? A 1209 is an
old machine. Neighbor ran his 1219 with
rubber breaking on off for be a long time.
What is the price?
 
I had a 1209 with bad rolls. I don't know how it would run without the rolls, but I know it
certainly won't run with bad rolls; the hay will just wrap. I stripped the rubber off and
welded 3/4'' x 1'' bar stock across the rolls to make intermeshing steel bars. I later did
the same on a New Holland. It works great, still crimps to speed drying, and you don't have
to remove the rolls to do it. Just make sure you get the spacing right (far enough apart to
not touch the bars on the other roller, yet close enough to still crimp). If you do some
googling you'll find lots of others who have done the same. Not much to it once you figure
out the spacing. Weld in periodic stitches (certainly doesn't have to be continuous - maybe
3'' of weld every foot) and don't put too much heat into one spot at once.
 
Further to my last comment, I just re-read your original post and just registered that you're 'looking at' a 1209, rather than have one. Hmmm... I'd be cautious of a used 1209, especially one with bad conditioning rolls.

If everything else was solid and it's cheap (really cheap) it might be worth pursuing, but you may be getting yourself into a headache. Bad rolls are often a result of being stored outside where the sun can get at it, and if it's been stored outside you may find really bearings are washed out/seized, tires are cracked, seals dried up and leaking, etc. And you have to be very careful about the wobble boxes on old Deere mocos; if they weren't maintained meticulously they can start spitting bearings.

With everyone going to disc mowers, haybines are pretty cheap - especially this time of year. Might be better to find something else, or at least make sure you're not paying too much. A 1209 around here with bad rolls would be lucky to bring scrap price. The 1209 was a pretty slow machine. Even the 1219 that succeeded it was a much better machine.
 
I have a 1209 that I have used for several years. Rolls are not great on it but I run them fairly wide open. The only time I have had hay wrap on the rollers was when it was too wet. It allows you to lay crow out wide which aids drying. It definitely isn't the fastest machine around but mine has held together pretty well and does a pretty good job of cutting heavy grass hay
 
I have a 1209 that I have used for several years. Rolls are not great on it but I run them fairly wide open. The only time I have had hay wrap on the rollers was when it was too wet. It allows you to lay crow out wide which aids drying. It definitely isn't the fastest machine around but mine has held together pretty well and does a pretty good job of cutting heavy grass hay. There was a serial number break and some parts ar hard to find for earlier serial number like mine
 
With all the moco's out there I would move on to something else no point making work for yourself. there are plenty of used models to pick from. we're still using the old 1219 bought new sets in under roof almost never has spent a night out. even during season. IT can be backed in under roof so it might not be unhitched but not out. Rolls are good except for the top roll bearing needs changed this winter.
 
Not a correction Jim. He could find another way to drive the reel.

I think he should look for a machine in better shape.
 

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