JD 1209

Anything Idea about a JD 1209 MoCo I have one lined up in the local paper for $1000 fair condition used only to mow 35 acres a year for 16.
Walt

I have one I use to cut hay grazer every year. Works good. I use to cut Coastal with it have a disk cutter for that now. If the rock guards are set right it makes a smooth job. I would say look at the cutter bar and the wear plates and the rock guards for wear. On my sickle bar the knives are riveted on pain in the B. I bought 2 new ones from JD for 110 each. TSC has the knives and rock guards and pickup teeth cheap.
I would say 1000 a little high more like 800 depending on what you have to do to it. Good luck

Had one for about 10 years, no real problems, pretty good machine I've seen them sell for 700 to 1500 in NW wisconsin.

I bought mine for 1000. Used it for many years, then sandblasted and painted it, finally selling it for 3500. I did damn good.

Check to be sure wobble box mounting bracket hasn't been broken off or welded in any way. Also box is bolted down tightly. Check that short pto shafts that drive rollers are indexed(timed) properly as they can get badly worn.

I have no complaints. This may sound like a lot but they are really a simple machine and work good.

I never heard of wobble box mounts cracking but who knows. I have seen and dealt with tounge snaping off. Look around the area the pin attaches it to the frame. As long as it is not cracked or has been welded up it will be fine. Another point I had issue with is the section of frame that holds the gear box adjusting bolt. Split right down the corner??? Welded it up and have never had an issue since.

Check play in the gear boxs and check the oil levels. It doesn't take long to trash the bearings in the wobble box if it has puked a seal.

If you can, have them spin it up before you buy it, You will want to look at the four bearings on the rollers. There are two pice cups that hold them in (cup on each side). If the bearings have been replaced and the cups hadn't the bearing may/will be loose in the cup and you can see movement in the outer race.

Listen for the rollers to be hitting. Its noisey anyway but a thumping sound could mean it is out of time. Look at the rolls for rub marks on the lugs and look for cracks / missing rubber. BTW its not that hard to time them.

There is a cover on the far side of the machine that covers a belt. Behind the belt is a short chain that comes from the roller and drives the belt (reel drive). Look for wear on the sprokets and chain.

Look at the tires and see if the are properly rated. I found lawn tires on mine when one went flat.

Now this last one would be a deal breaker for me. Look at the cutter/feed pan and see if you see any bends. Running into a stump is not uncommom and really screws thing up. If its bowed or has been beat back out I would walk away.

$1000 is not a bad deal around here. In fact its probably pretty good. I have seen some real junk go for more than that.

Thanks Errin I am going to take this with me to check everything that you said too.
Walt

Couple other things to add.. make sure it has hold downs on the sickle. Mine has one then skip then one then skip. They wouldnt be a deal breaker but you would want to purchase these and your GREEN dealer and adds to your cost. Also condition of cutters New cutter bar is 100 bucks or so. Teeth are 35.00 to replace all. I love mine been mowing with it for 10 years or so. Cut 20 acres alf 4 times year. and 20 acres grass once year. Also one more thing that might save you some time and agrivation. the real with the feeder teeth on it. DO NOT OIL the nylon bushings on the ends. I did and found out your not suppose to the oil collects dirt and eats them suckers up.

Errin,
Wobble box mounting bracket failures aren't common but if it happens bracket can give much grief.

Causes for wobble box failures are using with loose mounting bolts and loose sickle head components such as sickle head pin and drive arm.