Stub guards to regular

[steve terplak]

I have 2 New Holland Haybines - a 479 and a 488. The 479 has been on the farm since new and it has traditional guards. Cuts great.

Have a 488, got at an auction 5 years ago, with stub guards. I understand the stubs are supposed to help cut better but we have never been happy with its performance. Leaves a ragged cut. Have replaced some, bent some back to shape, but never seems to cut as nicely as the 479. So, we are thinking about converting to regular guards.

1. Do I need to switch sickle sections to do this or are they interchangeable?
2. The bar has bolts rather than rivets, does this impact guards/hold down clips?
3. Is there a better/cheaper source than Messicks? Looks like the guards and hold down clips will run me over $500. Didn't know if there was another source or if anyone sold in bulk?

Thanks

 

[Hayfarmer]

I had regular guards on my JD 1209 and they didn't work at all so I went to the stub guards with JD adjustable tops. That is what most guys use in my area that haven't gone to knives. The sickle shouldn't matter and generally the hold downs have enough clearance for bolts. Only problem is the head end and you do need extra clearance there. I have a bunch of JD double guards with the adjustable hold downs I would love to get rid of. I think that they are the same spacing as NH. If interested my email is open. they look to be pretty new as most of the paint is still on them.

 

[DLMKA]

i've got a 1209 I use as primary hay mower. If Steve doesn't want them I'd be interested.

 

[RickB]

The sickle sections and knife assembly are the same for both guard styles.
Bolted sections require higher hold downs, but the higher hold downs for bolted sections are OK for riveted sections.
There are cheaper guards than New Holland. Some are less expensive, some are just cheaper. Results will vary.
Messick's do a very good job with marketing and filling orders in a timely fashion. They would also like you to believe they have the best New Holland parts pricing, but they do not, and to be fair, they do not make any claims about pricing.

 

[steve terplak]

Thanks for the info so far.

I remember someone posting a link to an Amish outfit (I think) who manufactured a ton of aftermarket NH parts at decent prices...can't find it in the archives...anyone know what I'm talking about?

I feel like JDSeller posted the link to the catalog but I might be making that up

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Could that be Esch in Pa?. I got a used part for my baler from them.

 

[Bret4207]

Sounds like you're guards, hold downs and sections may just be worn out or bent too much to repair. Stub guards ALWAYS out perform standard in our grasses and give a cleaner cut. But, they are more expensive to replace.

 

[Northvale - PA]

I had a 469 and eventually I replaced the pivot bearing under the bar that drives the sickle knife. The knife cut much better once that bearing was new again. Too much slop caused the knife to go up and down some.

 

[Brendon Warren]

I've changed both my 488 and 1091 hesston to the long guards. I have better luck with them than the stubs. I buy my guards from a local Amish man for around $7.00 a piece. I'm not sure where he gets them. I'm satisfied with the quality.

 

[hd6gtom]

Steve I have a 488 that has regular guards on it. They are made in Indianola Iowa, I get them from the local farm and home store. I am very happy with the way it cuts. My sections are now bolted on I would not go back to rivets unless someone gave me a brand new riveted sickle. The 488 was new in 1976, came across the paperwork where dad got it new along with the baler.

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 23:38:01 05/28/17) I've changed both my 488 and 1091 hesston to the long guards. I have better luck with them than the stubs. I buy my guards from a local Amish man for around $7.00 a piece. I'm not sure where he gets them. I'm satisfied with the quality.

Huh! Difference from one side of the lake to the other I guess. I keep the standard guards on the 472 for doing little back fields, really rough fields and fields with lots of brush on the edges. Still end up bending a few, but they're lots easier to straighten.

 

[JCCWI]

Had stub guards on 1209 I bought new......and on 1424 JD hydro-swing and could never go back to traditional guards.Keep adjusted and only set up thatwill cut better is disc-mower.


John

 

[Oliver550Dave]

Joe's Machinery,
259 Radcliff Road
WILLOW STREET, PA 17584 (Just south of Lancaster, PA)

http://www.lancasterfarming.com/joe-s-machinery-llc-parts-catalog/pdf_445fe51c-e7c2-11e5-9484-1b797b300e94.html

Catalog is online. It is a large pdf file and will take some time to download.
Good products, good prices. I think they have what you are seeking.
I am not affiliated with him in any way.
I have ordered items at times with very good experiences.
I was up there in early May and it was neat to see their shop and products in person.
While there a large JD tractor was pulling a 16 row planter across the road - equipped with Amish no-flat tires!