Swather?

Erik Ks farmer · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:10 am Post subject: Swather?

I'm thinking again, about maybe trading one of my 9' New Hollands on a hydra swing swather to gain some capacity. I'm thinking about a 499 NH, SC 412/414 CIH, 8370 CIH or 1160 Hesston. Anyone have any experience with these machines? I have some terraces and I'm wondering how well these 12' and 14' machines will handle them.

DeltaRed · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Swather?

I have a NH 499.It is a very good,simple
machine.With it,you can 'lay it flat' or make a tall
narrow windrow.That machine has been made from the
late 80s to the present.There are a lot out there.It
has my vote...

Larry NEIL · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Swather?

I use a straight pull old Hesston 1091 for my 30+ acres, but have a friend who I help out once in a while with a Hesston 1160 and I thought it did a fine job. I think any one of your choises will work fine, depends on the most favorable dealer in yer area.

Suffolk1 · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: Swather?

I use a NH 499 hydra swing and it does a fine job. Use it in alfalfa, grass, and also for cutting oats for hay. Control and maneuverability is very good in corners and odd shaped perimeters. Does not have an auger feed so that eliminates another drive system. The two piece knifes are easy in and out. Chain lube and greasing is quick except for a couple of zerks. Swath width adjustment is quick and simple. Relatively easy to hook up to the tractor, even with the hitch extension. I am well pleased with the 499 and think they would work well for you on the terraces also.

430 · Guest Report to Moderator

499's are great. I've ran them over thousands of acres. The
only real problems have been the bearing in the middle of
the shaft behind the cutter bar(because people don't see and
grease it) and the bolts that connect the shaft to the rolls
comes loose and strips the splines on the roll. Both of these
problems are not reoccurring, and only happen after alot of
use. Just some things to look at when shopping.

Bobl1958 · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: Swather?

I might be wrong Erik but I believe the 1160 hesston and the
8370 are pretty much identical machines. I have a case
8370 and it does a great job for me. Bob

lenray · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Swather?

I would like to get an Owatonna swather with the Ford gas engine--don't need the header.

Allis Chalmers	Case	Cockshutt	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
H. Ferguson	John Deere	Massey	Minn. Moline	Oliver	All The Rest