General Pull Type Swather Questions

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   Hi all,

I'm new here and trying to build up a fleet of haying equipment for a small acreage.  I have an old wire tie AC303 baler and am looking at this pull type swather.  I have many questions:
1) Does anyone know what model this is?
2)  What is the minimum horsepower you think would be needed?  I have a Kubota LT4200 right now.
3)  Is there anything in particular that I should be looking at on this machine?  I'm new to swathers.
4)  Any suggestions on how to transport it about 200-miles?
5)  Based on the pictures, how does the condition look?

Thanks in advance for all the information and advice.  I really appreciate it.

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rlrobinhood Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 09 Nov 2015 Location: WY Points: 34	Post Options Post Reply Quote rlrobinhood Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: General Pull Type Swather Questions Posted: 09 Nov 2015 at 10:12pm
	Hi all, I'm new here and trying to build up a fleet of haying equipment for a small acreage. I have an old wire tie AC303 baler and am looking at this pull type swather. I have many questions: 1) Does anyone know what model this is? 2) What is the minimum horsepower you think would be needed? I have a Kubota LT4200 right now. 3) Is there anything in particular that I should be looking at on this machine? I'm new to swathers. 4) Any suggestions on how to transport it about 200-miles? 5) Based on the pictures, how does the condition look? Thanks in advance for all the information and advice. I really appreciate it.

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JohnCO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Niwot Colo Points: 8992	Post Options Post Reply Quote JohnCO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Nov 2015 at 10:58pm
	Welcome to the forum! I'm sure you will enjoy your visits here, more knowledge available then you can shake a stick at. There is a machine like this on the Denver craigslist for $900. Don't know if that is a good price or not. I think a 45HP Kubota will be adequate, but just barely.
	"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer" Allis Express participant

thendrix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 04 Feb 2013 Location: Fairmount GA Points: 5111	Post Options Post Reply Quote thendrix Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 4:57am
	I run a JD 1219 swather. It's a 9ft cut and according to JD requires 35 pto hp to run. When I bought mine I loaded it sideways on a 16 ft trailer and took the tongue off. We went about 60 miles or so this way. If you load one this way make sure the tongue and gear box is on the front end of the trailer! If you put it to the back end, the tail will wag the dog the whole way home. And welcome to the forum.
	"Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan

Ky.Allis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Location: Kentucky Points: 1034	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ky.Allis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 6:57am
	Looks like a mod.904 or could be a 829 It looks to be in pretty good shape for it's age. However the AC mower/conditioner was not all that great of a machine. Sickle drive was known to give problems and they had a wider transport width than alot of other brands. I would look for a 7' cut New Holland for a small acreage.

thendrix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 04 Feb 2013 Location: Fairmount GA Points: 5111	Post Options Post Reply Quote thendrix Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 8:19am
	I agree on the 7 ft cut. Mine is 9 and sometimes it's a little to big. Wish I had a 7 instead. Also, that thing may be hard to find parts for. Can't run down to the AC dealer anymore when something breaks. The reason I went after a JD is because that's the closest dealer
	"Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan

Lonn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Location: Назарово,Russia Points: 29817	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lonn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 9:40am
	Our 390 Allis haybine, when it was in good shape, threw a better windrow than our 460 new holland and the rubber roll on the allis lasts a lifetime vs rubber vulcanized rollers which peel apart. Keep the seals and bearings in the wobble box in good shape and it'll be a good unit. We liked ours and mowed with it for over 30 years. I have a Gehl 2160? (Hesston) now and it's 15 years newer at least and way better than any we had before.
	-- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot

Stan R Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Location: MA Points: 994	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stan R Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 10:06am
	Pulled a 7 foot NH with a 34hp kubota and never had a problem with HP. Edited by Stan R - 10 Nov 2015 at 10:06am

PaulB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Rocky Ridge Md Points: 5163	Post Options Post Reply Quote PaulB Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 10:23am
	I had a NH 477 (7') awhile back and had pulled it easily with a CA. If you don't mind working on something that is hard to find parts for the AC unit may be a good deal. I consider what is the best local dealer in your area and go from there.
	If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY

matador Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Nov 2014 Location: Wyoming Points: 1727	Post Options Post Reply Quote matador Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 3:18pm
	Welcome to the family! I don't know what part of the state that you're in, but you likely have the same issue in our area- not much equipment availability. That may limit your choices unless you want to travel farther. We've never run an Allis haybine. We run a New Holland 488, and like it. I think your Kubota could handle this, but it would be kept busy. The condition looks pretty decent. Paint wear is normal out here, and our New Holland looks worse for wear than that. If the seller has a tractor, have them run it for you. There was another member on here who has hauled a few on a gooseneck. See this thread- down towards the bottom: http://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85913&title=fs-ac-904-haybine Parts may be an issue, but depending on what part of the state you're in, Billings Farmhand, C&K Implement in Sheridan, or Brown Company in Riverton and Wheatland should be able to help. If you're over by Lyman, I have no clue who serves that area, but I'm sure that there an Agco dealer something in Utah.

rlrobinhood Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 09 Nov 2015 Location: WY Points: 34	Post Options Post Reply Quote rlrobinhood Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 8:11pm
	Hi Stan, Did your 7-footer have a conditioner? Thanks in advance.

rlrobinhood Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 09 Nov 2015 Location: WY Points: 34	Post Options Post Reply Quote rlrobinhood Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 8:12pm
	Hi Matador, I'm in the Cody area. And yes, small swathers just are not available. What part of the state are you in?

rlrobinhood Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 09 Nov 2015 Location: WY Points: 34	Post Options Post Reply Quote rlrobinhood Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 8:25pm
	And to everyone else, many thanks for your input. I suspect I'll be coming to this forum quite a bit in the future. Keep the input coming.

Stan R Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Location: MA Points: 994	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stan R Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 8:44pm
	yes, it is a nh mower conditioner model 472 similar to what you have in the picture. Really doesn't take that much hp. Used a Kubota L2850 GST. Edited by Stan R - 10 Nov 2015 at 8:47pm

matador Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Nov 2014 Location: Wyoming Points: 1727	Post Options Post Reply Quote matador Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 10:56pm
	We're about 50-60 miles east of you near Greybull, but I head to Cody some times. Your choices out here may be pretty limited- there isn't much used equipment out there, and what there is, isn't cheap.... I joined the forum when we were looking for a tractor. We were choosing between an Allis 7000 and a White 2-105. We chose the White on condition, but I hung around. I was here for a year before we owned anything from Allis-Chalmers. The people here are really, really knowledgeable. Billings Farmhand will be your dealer for service. They also own C&K in Sheridan, but we've used Billings Farmhand for most things. New Holland makes great equipment, but since Gibbons closed down, the nearest dealer for service is in Belgrade or Riverton. That could be an issue. I won't touch Deere, because of Park County Implement. How many acres will you be putting up?

SLee(IA) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Polk City, Iowa Points: 271	Post Options Post Reply Quote SLee(IA) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 11:21pm
	That's an 829. I have one out in the fence row that we just plum wore out. No wobble box. Has a pitman arm sickle drive. Keep the sickle in good shape otherwise belt would slip easily. When our rollers were wearing out they wouldn't pull fine grass through. Alfalfa was no problem. It looks pretty good in the pictures. Guards and sections may be tough to find. Bearings could be gotten at any bearing place. Main drive belt and sickle drive belt are pretty specific to this machine. Might be able to cross reference. Good Luck. Steve

rlrobinhood Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 09 Nov 2015 Location: WY Points: 34	Post Options Post Reply Quote rlrobinhood Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 6:08pm
	I just thought I would check back in and update this thread in case anyone searches it in the future. This is an 829. It works pretty good. Not awesome, but a lot of that could be "dialing in" that I need to do on the machine. Also, my Kubota L4200 has not problem pulling it.