I'm looking into getting a used 1431 as I'm getting into hay and don;t want to blow the budget. Can you tell me what ot look for in a used machine and what to stay away from? I'm cutting about 150 total acres. How many acres did this 1431 do?
Hi Pete, look at the cutter bar first. Grab a disc at one end and turn it by hand; the discs at the other end should start turning almost immediately, if not there is some wear in all the connecting discs. The cutter bar can can get so much wear that the knives will get out of time and hit each other when it's powered up. A new cutter bar is about 6 grand so keep that in mind if you find a "steal", not a deal breaker but be aware of it. The next thing to check is the skid shoes, especially on the right side, they will wear out and sometimes just drop off. Then look at the header lift cylinder, on the left side. Early 1431 Discbines had an eye welded into a steel plate on each end and that was a really weak point, if they fail the whole header will take a nose dive-not good! Later 1431's or one that's been upgraded will have forged ends on the cylinder like a three point arm, they are much stronger. I'd recommend changing an older one out or make it a point to check before each cutting.
I would also check the oil in a few of the gear boxes and cutter bar modules, each module is $700.+ to replace, so it's good to make sure there has been oil in them. Also if you have a lot of rocks a Mowmax ll cutter bar will have a sacrificial hub to save the module, older ones can be upgraded as well, see if the salesman or owner knows. Conditioning roller bearings are another area to check. They have a lot of moving parts but those are the trouble spots I know of. Over all they have been very relatable for us. Ours probably had cut 10 to 12 thousand acres when we traded it in. Hope this helps!
+Front Porch Farm Thank you very much for the good advice. I wanted to know a few more things to look out for and knowing about the lift cylinder links and skid shoes is something I would never think of. Going this weekend to check a mower out.
good mowers except when mowing tall fescue which has fallen over. rollers will grab the grass before it has been cut pulling it up by the roots ! had this happen once.
Can you please update on your performance and experience with the 313 since posting this video. I have ordered a 316 that is due to be delivered in the spring of 2017 and I would appreciate knowing your updated thoughts, recommendations and real life experience with the machine. I have read there were some troubles with the gear boxes? Any update, advice, tips or recommendations you can offer, I would appreciate. Thank you.
JCDC Enterprises We have used it for a season and a half now, no issues with the gear boxes. I had read that as well, I'm guessing it was very early production models. It cuts great except in very light crops where it misses more than the old 1431, think it's because the skirt is further away from the cutterbar it allows light crop to be blown out of the way of the knives. Conditioning is great, and I have yet to have a rock hit the tractor so I believe the skirts are better. I have two minor complaints, first in really heavy crop the bifold doors can bend up in the middle from the crop pushing against the front, this leads to them unlatching, they don't open it's just annoying that they don't stay latched. The other minor thing is on a really rough field the transport lock for the tongue can bounce halfway shut witch leads to slow headland turns, you just have to keep the pivot bolts really tight. Other those issues and a broken hose it's been flawless. It cuts great and is easy to change knives on. Hope you enjoy your new toy!
Front Porch Farm - Thank you very much for the update and extra information, I appreciate that. Mine will be delivered soon and your update makes me feel a lot better about making the purchase. Hope your growing season goes well.
I purchased a 313 discbine last summer and it worked great. the way they have the driveline set up worked really good
Thanks for the video, had been thinking about buying either a H7450 or 313, definitely leaning more towards the 313 for a few thousand more.
I'm looking into getting a used 1431 as I'm getting into hay and don;t want to blow the budget. Can you tell me what ot look for in a used machine and what to stay away from? I'm cutting about 150 total acres. How many acres did this 1431 do?
Hi Pete, look at the cutter bar first. Grab a disc at one end and turn it by hand; the discs at the other end should start turning almost immediately, if not there is some wear in all the connecting discs. The cutter bar can can get so much wear that the knives will get out of time and hit each other when it's powered up. A new cutter bar is about 6 grand so keep that in mind if you find a "steal", not a deal breaker but be aware of it. The next thing to check is the skid shoes, especially on the right side, they will wear out and sometimes just drop off. Then look at the header lift cylinder, on the left side. Early 1431 Discbines had an eye welded into a steel plate on each end and that was a really weak point, if they fail the whole header will take a nose dive-not good! Later 1431's or one that's been upgraded will have forged ends on the cylinder like a three point arm, they are much stronger. I'd recommend changing an older one out or make it a point to check before each cutting.
I would also check the oil in a few of the gear boxes and cutter bar modules, each module is $700.+ to replace, so it's good to make sure there has been oil in them. Also if you have a lot of rocks a Mowmax ll cutter bar will have a sacrificial hub to save the module, older ones can be upgraded as well, see if the salesman or owner knows. Conditioning roller bearings are another area to check. They have a lot of moving parts but those are the trouble spots I know of. Over all they have been very relatable for us. Ours probably had cut 10 to 12 thousand acres when we traded it in. Hope this helps!
+Front Porch Farm
Thank you very much for the good advice. I wanted to know a few more things to look out for and knowing about the lift cylinder links and skid shoes is something I would never think of. Going this weekend to check a mower out.
good mowers except when mowing tall fescue which has fallen over. rollers will grab the grass before it has been cut pulling it up by the roots ! had this happen once.
Can you please update on your performance and experience with the 313 since posting this video. I have ordered a 316 that is due to be delivered in the spring of 2017 and I would appreciate knowing your updated thoughts, recommendations and real life experience with the machine. I have read there were some troubles with the gear boxes? Any update, advice, tips or recommendations you can offer, I would appreciate. Thank you.
JCDC Enterprises We have used it for a season and a half now, no issues with the gear boxes. I had read that as well, I'm guessing it was very early production models. It cuts great except in very light crops where it misses more than the old 1431, think it's because the skirt is further away from the cutterbar it allows light crop to be blown out of the way of the knives. Conditioning is great, and I have yet to have a rock hit the tractor so I believe the skirts are better. I have two minor complaints, first in really heavy crop the bifold doors can bend up in the middle from the crop pushing against the front, this leads to them unlatching, they don't open it's just annoying that they don't stay latched. The other minor thing is on a really rough field the transport lock for the tongue can bounce halfway shut witch leads to slow headland turns, you just have to keep the pivot bolts really tight. Other those issues and a broken hose it's been flawless. It cuts great and is easy to change knives on. Hope you enjoy your new toy!
Front Porch Farm - Thank you very much for the update and extra information, I appreciate that. Mine will be delivered soon and your update makes me feel a lot better about making the purchase. Hope your growing season goes well.
New holland hat in the wash?
The dealer hasn't given me one.