550 haybine advice

[Patrick (Mich.)]

I've been searching for a Case haybine to use on my farm. Tonight I looked at a 550 which came for sale locally. I know this is the pioneer model of Case/Hesston, and viewed as less desirable than the 555. The positives I noted on this machine were no breaks or welds, no dents and collision damage, all bearings seem good, the three places most frequently mentioned for trouble (the wobble drive and both ends of the sickle drive) look in great shape. The negatives of it are that all the sheet metal guards are gone (PTO shaft, RH side cover), and it has been sitting outside for years. The sickle was in partial contact with dirt, one of the shoes is off, and the metal roller has a small section of the rib with rust holes. For not much more than scrap price, does it sound like a reasonable venture?

 

[casecollectorsc]

I've been searching for a Case haybine to use on my farm. Tonight I looked at a 550 which came for sale locally. I know this is the pioneer model of Case/Hesston, and viewed as less desirable than the 555. The positives I noted on this machine were no breaks or welds, no dents and collision damage, all bearings seem good, the three places most frequently mentioned for trouble (the wobble drive and both ends of the sickle drive) look in great shape. The negatives of it are that all the sheet metal guards are gone (PTO shaft, RH side cover), and it has been sitting outside for years. The sickle was in partial contact with dirt, one of the shoes is off, and the metal roller has a small section of the rib with rust holes. For not much more than scrap price, does it sound like a reasonable venture?

I bought a 550 in about the same shape about 20 years ago from a scrap yard. All shields were missing also. Paid $125 for the machine and have used it every year since. Does a good job.

 

[CraigWis]

Is the 550 the same as the Early PT-10 that had chain drive to the Wobble Box or like the Later PT-10 / 555 that used a Belt drive?
I have a Early Chain Drive PT-10 sitting in the Weeds if it is the same and you need some parts

 

[Patrick (Mich.)]

I won't have to worry the issue now. The haybine sold today while I was hauling a 430 home. It seems it was not meant to be.