New Swather

DeltaRed · Dec 15, 2019

I've run a pull behind and a Hydroswing machine for close to 40 years. My whole carrer..Started with a Hesston Pt12,later owned/wore out a Hesston 1014,now have a well worn NewHolland 499. Cut a LOT of hay over the years. Both custom and my own.I,ve taken the hydroswings about as far as I want to. I have tried for the last 2 or 3 to update.Just yesterday,I bought a Hesston 6555.About a 1985 model. 14'cut,diesel,cab/air.Finally found one I could afford and that met all the criteria.2 owner,local machine. I know both former owners.Just stumbled upon it on facebook market place. I wasn't even looking!God's intervention? Probably.I'm sure there will be a steep learning curve learning to run it. LOL!I was going to keep my old hydroswing till after 1st cut. But I ask Why? This new machine will work well. Selling the old maching would go a long way toward paying off the new one.Maybe even half?I'm excited,thrilled yet a bit nervous.I would post a pic if I could fugure out how...

Hayfarmer · Dec 15, 2019

Not as familiar with heston but I assume it is hydrostatic drive. I have worked on JD and NH hydrostatic drive swathers and you have to be careful when you turn the steering wheel they will move sideways. When I worked for JD we got swathers on a rail car. They told us to pull them off the car, not drive them since if hydrostats were a little off and you turned the key they would go off the car. Anyway once you get used to it you will love it and you will be amazed at how much faster the haying goes

Ozlander · Dec 15, 2019

Sounds good. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in short order.

craigco · Dec 15, 2019

I used a 490 New Holland pull behind for a couple years then got a 6450 Hesston. Except no cab and gas engine. Still 14' cut. Mine was a great deal paid for haven't had any major issues. I don't like having to hold the direction leaver all the time when mowing. If I don't it will snap back to reverse then it starts bucking between forward and reverse. Can't find any reason why it does it hopefully yours doesn't do this. I still have the 490 can't part with it so I have a spare even though I haven't used it in 3 years.

jaoneill · Dec 15, 2019

(quoted from post at 13:34:42 12/15/19) I've run a pull behind and a Hydroswing machine for close to 40 years.

I can promise you will never regret the step up from a drag-along to a self-propelled. depending upon field size and configuration it will cut your mowing time from 25% to 40%.

Jim

Sean Feeney · Dec 15, 2019

Good for you best of luck with it, Early x mas present well deserved i'm sure.

Bruce from Can. · Dec 15, 2019

👍 You will love cutting hay with a swather

Brendon Warren · Dec 15, 2019

You'll adjust quick. I bought a 8200 hesston last year cheap from a neighbor. I really like it other than I need to fix the ac.

Janicholson · Dec 15, 2019

Fantastic. With a picture on your cell phone, plug the phone into the computer in front of you wuith a USB cord that fits the big plug USB on one end and your phone on the other. The computer will beep/chime indicating a connection. Use the file handler icon to open the new arrival. it will be titled like "Galixy S7, then pick Phone, then pick DCIM (stands for Digital Camers Images) The pics should show up. Click on the one you want, then right click it, and pick "save image as", and click on youe Picture file on windows main screen.
Then go to the bottom of a YT post you wish to paste it into and click "Choose Files", choose the Pictures folder and click on the image you want. It will down load. Then Preview your reply. and there it is!! Jim

Brendon-KS · Dec 15, 2019

You'll get the hang of it quickly but a person's first windrower driving experience can be eventful. Backing up can be especially tough for new operators since in reverse the steering works backwards compared to a regular vehicle. I've witnessed the aftermath of bent sheetmetal from new operators who didn't heed the advice of holding the steering wheel at the bottom and moving one's hand in the desired direction of travel when backing up.

greg oliver · Dec 15, 2019

Brendon, The 8200 is what my neighbor has. I like it but did have a side window fall out . Caught it before it hit the ground. Sometimes you have to wiggle the steering wheel to start it.

Brendon Warren · Dec 15, 2019

Greg, it sounds like mine! The windows were flopping, I stuck them back in with some liquid nails and you have to wiggle the wheel sometimes to start. Like the other Brendon said there is a learning curve to backing it up. I've got the hang of it enough now that I can get it up to the tank to put fuel in it. I carried in cans for awhile.

SVcummins · Dec 15, 2019

I hope it works out for you. After having been around wore out self propelled swathers I?d rather have a good hydro swing . We had the hesston a model or two earlier than that one and I could walk circles around it with a good pull type and them old hesston hydrostatic motors will about make you go about deaf . I was surprised how loud even the hydrostatic was in the 8450 Agco was compared to a John Deere or new Holland.

New Swather

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

Hayfarmer

Well-known Member

Ozlander

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craigco

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jaoneill

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Sean Feeney

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Bruce from Can.

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Brendon Warren

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Janicholson

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Brendon-KS

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greg oliver

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Brendon Warren

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SVcummins

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