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Red, pretty much what has been said. But let me add the following. I went from a NI pull type to a JD1209. The biggest differance was time. I now cut & condition in about a third of the time I did before. My NI didn't have the rear pto option. To crimp (condition) alfafla or clover I had to make a second pass over the field. In stem'y hay (clover, alfafla, etc...) cut is about equal. In thick grass hands down hybine wins. That reel really helps push it through and, unless you grab some trash, it doesn't clog up like a sickle. My NI would only raise 10" and the end of the bar would grab a wad, as I passed over a previous cut, and clog up. Corners were the worst, ever try to run circules in a square field? I like the fact I can raise and lower the JD and drive over a previous cut with no worries. As for the maintenance, search the archives, some of the NH's had wobbles boxes that were less than desirble. I don't recall the mod #'s but it will not take long to look. Find a good one and keep the grease and oil up and it isn't that bad. But as with anything "buyer beware". Look it over real good. Take your buddy with ya if you can, my guess is he's used them before and will know what to look for. If he doesn't find someone who does. From my experances - Rollers, although may have some cracks should not be peeling. Rock pto shaft back and forth, look for play or lack of movement. Everything should move when the pto is turned. Inspect U-joints, nice and tight. Reel my have few bump and ding's from rocks. But if beat to death and teeth missing, someone been pretty rough on it. Cutter bar and guards should be in line. Bent or bowed - bad. You'll know what a good one shoud look like. As for price, really watch cheap. Check around to figure going price in your area. In my area a good unit (JD or NH) sells for $4-5000. A cheap unit under $2000. In my case I paid $2000 and had to repair it (parts included). Average - above average condition, bad bearing on the cutter bar. I do have a seal to replace yet, and am wacthing another issue. But when I have to addres them I'll only be at the $3000 mark. I saw the same machine (JD1209) in sorry condition (non-working) go for $2500. A NH489 workin, new wobble box - $4500. I feel like I did good. You can find good used machines for less here. Hesston, Acgo, NI usally under $2000 but I have no idea how well the operate or what parts are like. "only 100 acres" If it was 10, I would really think about it. Weigh the pros and cons. Figure in the added expense and such. A 100, I'd get a hybine. Actually I did at 40.
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