Need Swather Advice....

Bryce Frazier · Jun 2, 2015

Alright, first of all, EVERYONE CALM DOWN! I have been swamped for the last week, and I come into my email this morning and there are 13 e-mails from guys on here wanting to make sure that I am safe, healthy, and still around! I must say it really warmed my heart to know you all care!!!

Anyways, I have been offered a "field ready" "International" swather for $400. The guys seem really nice. I told them I was trying to get started, and they offered me this at a VERY good deal compared to what they were going to try to sell it for.

Anyways, what do you guys think? Good deal? I am going to look at it tomorrow, and maybe even pull it home tomorrow. I don't know the model number on it, yet. Thanks Bryce!

M Nut · Jun 2, 2015

If it is what they say, you can't go wrong. They are simple machines, but seem fairly rugged. My neighbor has two, and has cut hay with them for years. I see them advertised here in mn for about $800-$1200 for field ready machines.

Roger in Iowa · Jun 2, 2015

If it is hydrostatic drive you may not be able to "PULL IT HOME". Some machines have a way to disconnect the drives so it can be moved.

Bryce Frazier · Jun 2, 2015

No no, this is a 9 foot pull type swather. I am guessing a 990 IH. We don't have big ones like that around here!!!

showcrop · Jun 2, 2015

I have one that you could have for $350. I took on more hay ground and needed to mow faster so I got a disc mower conditioner. You never see any body have anything bad to say about them.

wisbaker · Jun 2, 2015

Still the question needs to be asked "what are you going to pull it with?"

tomstractorsandtoys · Jun 2, 2015

If it is a 990 in good condition it will be a good machine for you. Dad had two seven ft. 990's and we baled 20,000 bales a year all cut with those machines. At first we pulled them with a WD45 allis and a D14 but later moved up to Deere 2510,2520 and 3020's.Only breakdown that I remember was the shaft in the end of the reel broke on one machine. We later went to NH machines as we felt the NH rolls helped the hay dry better. Tom

Cory Schmidt · Jun 2, 2015

Can't say for sure unless you look at it. We sold a Ford 535? that worked half the time for $400 once. We upgraded to a new JD 820 (got on a deal from neighbor)when the Ford gave us too much trouble. Cousin came by with his then father-in-law, we told them if they got it working come back and pay, if not bring back the machine we'd scrap it when we got the chance. They must of figured it out, the next week the money was in hand.

Did you see the short(yes its a short list) list of things to look out for? It was posted a few days after that last (JD) mower you looked at everyone said to run from.
If you didnt quick link

Bryce Frazier · Jun 3, 2015

Awesome! I will print that out and take it with me! Thanks very much for thinking of me guys!!

He said the only two issues that he knows of, is that the "push bar" on the head was broke off and needs to be "stuck" back on, and that every once in a while it throws the drive chain, but that doesn't sound serious does it?

Need Swather Advice....

Bryce Frazier

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M Nut

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Roger in Iowa

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Bryce Frazier

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showcrop

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wisbaker

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tomstractorsandtoys

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Cory Schmidt

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Bryce Frazier

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