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Buying first year of a new model

R

rrlund

Well-known Member
I'm probably going to have a new disc mower/conditioner before the end of the week,but I'm torn. One dealer has a new leftover model,two others have new models that just came out,all the same brand. On one hand,I'd think the old model would be tried and true,but the new model has new improvements that look like the greatest thing since sliced bread.
I'm just a little leery of buying something made the first year of production for fear that there might be some bugs to be worked out.
 
I guess I"d look at the "improvements" to see if they were justified and make sense, rather than some engineer changing things just for the sake of change.
 
Some look major. All gear drive with no belts or chains and quick change knives with no wrenches.
I just keep hearing in my mind "What could go wrong?". lol
 
I wouldn't worry too much about any new machinery, quality control on new stuff is way down. Boss bought a new Hesston Challenger disc cutter swather a couple of years ago. So far the paint is coming off, hydraulic system blew the seals out of the pumps on the head, fuel tank is leaking and a few other problems. Bought a new Hesston small square baler last year. Paint is coming off it, and some bearings have already failed. Both pieces of equipment are cheaply made. Glad I don't have to buy any new stuff.
 
First off what brand, second can you do a google search for reviews on what your looking at? I'm sure there's some reviews out there some were.
 
I like the idea of a belt on anything that has the potential to get jammed or get something caught in it. Belts will slip
 
Kuhn. The new 60 series 2860-3160 vs the 283. There are Youtube videos on the new 60 series,but I haven't found anything on the 283 except specs on the Kuhn website. So in that sense,I've watched the 60 series work.
 
Sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. You pays your money and takes your chances, that's pretty much what life is all about.
 
In bygone days, pioneers could be identified by the arrows sticking out of their chests.
 
Are the upgrades going to benefit you any on the newer model. Im sure the last years model would be a little cheaper maybe. Is the extra money worth the lastest and greatest. Good Luck
 
We can do this together then, lol. I have mine ordered and should be here next week or so.
Dealer had already sold out of what they had on the lot, both new and last years models. Mine will be the 2860.
Those new changes are hard to pass up.
 
I haven't got any experience with either one... but of the mowers I have with Kuhn bars I'd be inclined to go with the 7 disc vs the 6 disc bar. It seems to me that in my situation the higher speed, lower torque bars with the smaller discs stand up better. I've got a NH465 which is a repainted GMD77 with the old 7 disc bar and I can't kill it. I've also got a Deere 1460 with the FC300 6 disc bar that I can't keep together...
I also think you might get a better deal on the clearance model... so that's something to think about.

Rod
 
I would think the company's have been making them long enough that they know what works and does not work, I am buying my first disc machine this spring, looked at used but like the features of the new and warranty and someone did not beat it all up.
 
I would think the new one what have the improvements that the old one may have needed. Since they are the same brand. Just my line of thinking.
 
Randy, I bought a Kuhn FC283 new in the spring of 2008, used it for seven summers now with no problems at all. I got that size because it was rated 70-90 HP and I could run it with either the 1655 or the 1850. Mine has seven discs and so far (knock on wood) all I've done is put on a new set of blades every year (they don't cost much) and changed the oil in the gear boxes. Mine has one belt that runs the conditioner and so far I've never had to touch it. Don't know anything about the new models. The ability to change knives without using a wrench that you describe would certainly be easier. Being a "Murphy" guy my question would be is it fail safe? Hate to have a knife fly off at the speed their spinning. Not having seen one, I have no clue about that. Anyway, I certainly love mine, it makes mowing pure pleasure.
 
Are you getting rolls or flails? I strongly prefer rolls. I prefer new holland as well, but suppose the kuhn is a good machine also. What are the hydraulic requirements? I have a European tedder (claas) and my older Olivers (1655) won't pick it up. Takes 2100 or so psi, even though I can pick it up by hand.
Josh
 
The old, double edged sword, Randy. I bought a 630 JD last year, and love it, even over my 1460, which I had for 21 years. I looked at a Kuhn, but it seemed like a whole lot less iron. The worst part of any of them is how much of a hit your wallet takes for a few years.

But, I also bought a 644 NH baler years ago and it was the cat's butt for a long time, also. Then, I had some PTO trouble with it, and opened a whole new can of worms. I found out that NH engineering used an oddball PTO shaft that you had to go to them to replace it the same way, or buy an after market shaft to replace it. But then, you don't want to get it an inch too long, or you'll tear the carrier bearing out of the baler. And, when you do that, you find out that NH again steps up and you can't find the setup in the parts pictures. But, there you finally find out that the first of the series used the PTO train of the older 630 series balers, but don't show it in the parts books. The later machines in the parts books are different than the earlier ones. So, new machines can be good, but they can give you a fit later...
 
The shear bolt will certainly do it's job as will a slip clutch. I just like the cushioning effect of belts for some things. It's true that gear boxes aren't bothered by debris.

It may come down to warranty/tax advantages. If you need more to write down and get some useful features the newer one may be the way to go. I'm guessing either one will have about the same warranty.
 
Well,the decision is made. JD Farmer and I can compare notes as we go along. I bought the new model 2860.
I went and looked at the 283. It just looked light and cheap next to the 2860. The impellers were nylon instead of steel,belt drive instead of gear drive,songle speed impellers,the suspension was totally different. On the 2860,the header kind of comes back and up at the same time,where the 283 looked like it just bounced up. It just looked like 1970's technology next to the 2860. The knives were bolt on with the 283,the 2860 has spring steel on the bottom of the disc and there's a tool that you slide in,then pull down and it opens it up so you just pull the old one out,slide a new one in and you're back in the seat,ready to go. From the look of it,there's no real danger that they're going anywhere unless you want them to.
There was $1500 difference in price,the 283 was cheaper,but most of that was due to the difference in the rebate. $500 rebate on the 2860,$1500 on the 283. Must be they want to get rid of the remaining 283s.
 
Randy:

Good Luck with the new equipment.

I'm not a Farmer, so I may be ALL WRONG, but every experience I've ever had with "New" equipment, the "BUGS" always seem to infect all my other equipment. They all belong to the same Union. LOL


Doc :>)
 
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