JD 800 swather

[HobbyFarmerInWI]

I run a small hobby farm with 30 acres of hay. When I use the word hay, it is 10 acres of alfalfa, and 20 acres of a pasture grass/alfalfa mix that I will need to bale as it gets ahead of my cattle grazing it.
I found a JD 800 Swather with a 12" head. I have only seen one picture of it online. In talking to them, it is of course in good shape and was used last fall for 3rd crop hay.

If it really is in good shape, does anyone know about this machine model? Is is pratical for an operation my size? What do I need to know about it that might bite my rear end? I can still get a manual, and will be going to visit a JD dealer today to see if parts are still avaliable.

I would welcome any and all feedback on this machine.

 

[bradk]

A few hay farmers in my area have them.Seems like a well put together machine.Worked on two of them.One needed drive chains adjusted and the other had a sheared key in wheel drive sprocket.

If memory serves,they had Chrysler engines,maybe slant 6. Should be fine for your size.

 

[Anonymous-0]

when were we a dealer we traded for a few of them seemed to cut ok one thing I didn't like was the separate levers for a major turn as you use a steering wheel for trim control but I was told by past owners that once you got use to it that it wasn't that bad my two cents Tom PS one we got in had a bad wobble box might check that as it was kinda high then to fix as I remember this was in 1976 good luck

 

[travz500]

it will have a chrysler slant 6 we have a 830 i think is the number dont use it alot its my mother in laws mainly just sits but my wifes grandpa bought new i filled with gas and used it last year to cut sudex and brome works great just very slow make sure the chains are tight sucks when the drive chains break but it will cut good if you have good sickle knives

 

[Jim Dayton]

have a good look at the exhaust manifold on that slant 6, I don"t think they are available new.

 

[mark1234]

I HAVE ONE & HAVE A JUNK ONE. THEY WORK GOOD, BUT THEY ARE OLD & HAVE ALOT OF MOVING PARTS & SUCK TOO WORK ON! A BELT REPLACEMENT CAN BE A SERIOUS JOB...