JD 1209 haybine advice

[LondonDave]

I'm going to look at a JD 1209 haybine/mower condition/mow/co...whatever you want to call it on Wednesday. The price is right. I'm currently using a NI 251 sickle bar mower and it's just not working for me. I've read about issues with the 1209 wobble box. If the mount has been broken and repaired is it still not advisable to buy one? Can it be repaired properly? It's apparently been used up until last year. The seller is getting out of haying so he's selling it. What exactly should I be looking at with regards to the wobble box? I'm familiar with the knives and guards, etc. so I'll be checking that stuff over. Is there anything else I should pay close attention to?

Thanks

Dave

 

[pmsmechanic]

On most wobble boxes there are four bolts that attach the gear box to the frame. Usually the bolts go straight up from the bottom but I have seen two attached from the side on a Macdon. Make sure those bolts are tight! If they've ever been loose you will see the paint worn off.

It's a bit of a mickey mouse design but I've been able to repair loose gear boxes by cleaning out the holes one at a time with brake clean and installing new bolts that have been generously coated with JB weld. Once the weld is hard they stay in place.

 

[art]

One of the major causes of the wobble boxes loosing is a bent cutter bar. This will work the box excessively trying to slide it back and forth. Make sure it is straight and chances are you should be fine.

 

[Tx Jim]

One of the major causes of the wobble boxes loosing is a bent cutter bar. This will work the box excessively trying to slide it back and forth. Make sure it is straight and chances are you should be fine.

Also loose arm on wobble box output shaft splines or worn pitman head pin. I would recommend walking away from a JD Mo-Co that the wobble box bracket had any welding done to mounting plate.

 

[LondonDave]

Thanks for the info guys. The seller tells me he has only owned it for a few years but it has never given him any problems and he hasn't done any work on it. Can all these things (loose arm, worn pitman head etc.) be easily checked?