HARVESTER ADVICE/thoughts

Smalltom

Hi all, first time here so take it handy on me:) Anyway I know it's the end of year but like being prepared so looking at our pottinger mex 6 and it needs a good bit of work after 15yrs of cutting only out own silage. Currently looking at JF 1060 and 1360 to put behind our JD7810. Trailers are well sorted as is the pit machine so they're not a consideration so basically anyone out there using these machines? What are your thoughts. My thinking is that better have a heavier duty 1360 operating at 60% picking 20 foot of grass than having a 1060 operating at full capacity picking the same. Also if the 7810 get upgraded to a 7930 or similar in time the 1060 might get hurt! Any thoughts/advice/suggestions. A second hand SPF is out of the question by the way! Thanks all.

Zr105

Smalltom wrote: »

Hi all, first time here so take it handy on me:) Anyway I know it's the end of year but like being prepared so looking at our pottinger mex 6 and it needs a good bit of work after 15yrs of cutting only out own silage. Currently looking at JF 1060 and 1360 to put behind our JD7810. Trailers are well sorted as is the pit machine so they're not a consideration so basically anyone out there using these machines? What are your thoughts. My thinking is that better have a heavier duty 1360 operating at 60% picking 20 foot of grass than having a 1060 operating at full capacity picking the same. Also if the 7810 get upgraded to a 7930 or similar in time the 1060 might get hurt! Any thoughts/advice/suggestions. A second hand SPF is out of the question by the way! Thanks all.

I can't say Id know a whole lot about harvesters but of what I do know I don't think there's be any fear of a 79 hurting a 1060!

Smalltom

I suppose I mean the 1060 max rated hp is around 200hp but the 1360 has a bigger stomach for power AND more importantly grass!

freedominacup

Smalltom wrote: »

I suppose I mean the 1060 max rated hp is around 200hp but the 1360 has a bigger stomach for power AND more importantly grass!

Why not consider a wagon?

Smalltom

The set up is in place already for a harvester tbh-2x20ft trailers etc and not a huge fan of the wagons tbh. Not that I see a problem with them but prefer this system-personal taste etc.

stanflt

how many acres a year

Smalltom

200-300ac depending in the grass situation and crop quality and tonnage etc! Looking to expand that as cow herd numbers grow over the next 2/3 years.

9935452

Smalltom wrote: »

I suppose I mean the 1060 max rated hp is around 200hp but the 1360 has a bigger stomach for power AND more importantly grass!

We had a 900 which was rated at 130hp max and had 190hp running on the shaft to it and it didnt hurt it.
If you buy new and have a problem with it and jf come out , it will void the warranty

Smalltom

How does that work-surely if you DONT call out JF the warranty is gone? I thought calling them would maintain the warranty as opposed to
Contacting the local mechanic? Any thoughts on a metal detector, bearing in mind there's no contract work involved and silage fields get no dung and are rolled annually etc?

9935452

Smalltom wrote: »

How does that work-surely if you DONT call out JF the warranty is gone? I thought calling them would maintain the warranty as opposed to
Contacting the local mechanic? Any thoughts on a metal detector, bearing in mind there's no contract work involved and silage fields get no dung and are rolled annually etc?

Sorry , what i meant was if you have a tractor running it that has more power than the max recommended power and you have an issue with it and you call out JF , they wont stand by the warranty

Smalltom

Ah-ha. Makes more sense. I find that all manufacturers (insurance companies etc) always look for a quick exit if it means them washing their hands of something without costing them anything. Christ I'm a grumpy bugger today-damn rain!

Greengrass1

How many acres a day would you clear with harvester vs wagon? Lots of lads moving to wagon silage now

Smalltom

Greengrass1 wrote: »

How many acres a day would you clear with harvester vs wagon? Lots of lads moving to wagon silage now

Yep-notice that but zero interest in a wagon system. Neighbour has that set up and I just think he's messing. Don't think a wagon setup will compete with a big harvester and 2x20ft trailers and the addition of another depending on draw of course. Putting greedy boards on the 20ft trailers cause of the spout height available with the JF. Anyway what I'm looking for is feedback on 1060 v 1360 so I guess I've my mind made up about staying trailed harvester but which is the question!!!! Appreciate the thought though.

simx

Smalltom wrote: »

Yep-notice that but zero interest in a wagon system. Neighbour has that set up and I just think he's messing. Don't think a wagon setup will compete with a big harvester and 2x20ft trailers and the addition of another depending on draw of course. Putting greedy boards on the 20ft trailers cause of the spout height available with the JF. Anyway what I'm looking for is feedback on 1060 v 1360 so I guess I've my mind made up about staying trailed harvester but which is the question!!!! Appreciate the thought though.

How much of a difference in price between the two?

Smalltom

10-15k depending on the spec of the machine approximately.

eric prydz

:rolleyes:

Smalltom wrote: »

Hi all, first time here so take it handy on me:) Anyway I know it's the end of year but like being prepared so looking at our pottinger mex 6 and it needs a good bit of work after 15yrs of cutting only out own silage. Currently looking at JF 1060 and 1360 to put behind our JD7810. Trailers are well sorted as is the pit machine so they're not a consideration so basically anyone out there using these machines? What are your thoughts. My thinking is that better have a heavier duty 1360 operating at 60% picking 20 foot of grass than having a 1060 operating at full capacity picking the same. Also if the 7810 get upgraded to a 7930 or similar in time the 1060 might get hurt! Any thoughts/advice/suggestions. A second hand SPF is out of the question by the way! Thanks all.

Would you not consider a flywheel machine like a Mengele 40n or a tarrup 10x
jf harvesters are way over priced for what they are.

Smalltom

The mex vi is a flywheel jobbie and it's operating at full capacity as is. Not really been upgraded since late 80s/early 90s iirc. Hence the interest in the JF. Was speaking today to a machinery guy inside the circle of trust and he says that there was to be an article in this weeks farmers journal about a new JF harvester aimed at farmers just below the 1060 but with customer feedback upgrades.

simx

eric prydz wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Would you not consider a flywheel machine like a Mengele 40n or a tarrup 10x
jf harvesters are way over priced for what they are.

Have a Mengele harvester here, think it's a great yoke, would be hardier Than a Jf but waaay more expensive for parts and not as readily available, probably easier sell a Jf too

Smalltom

Our mex vi sounds beautiful running but just don't see a future in purchasing same again with no changes to design. Firm believer in buying bigger (bigger stomach in this case) and speeding things up. The loading shovel is idle with the mex vi. Anyone have a JF 1060???!

Mad4simmental

Spent a few days this summer following a harvester with a ts115. About two days with a jf and about the same with the pottinger. Not much but about 30 acres each.

The jf completely made a show of the pottinger. The pottinger wasn't designed as well IMO and had a fairly crap cable setup on the pickup. Just my two cents

Smalltom

Mad4simmental wrote: »

Spent a few days this summer following a harvester with a ts115. About two days with a jf and about the same with the pottinger. Not much but about 30 acres each.

The jf completely made a show of the pottinger. The pottinger wasn't designed as well IMO and had a fairly crap cable setup on the pickup. Just my two cents

You have my attention . Was it a 1060 or can you remember? What was the blow like and were ye pickin 20ft or what? What was pulling it? Ta

cjpm

My buddy went through them all, Tarrup, mengele etc. etc. finally satisfied with a JF, not sure what model. He drives it with 150hp.

Picks up 10fts first cut and uses a rake for 20ft swarths for the 2nd cut

The JF are expensive but they have been better than the competition for the last 30 years!

Would buy one myself if i had the cash!

Smalltom

Found this comparison (relative) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tp2aHAwXOcg

Mad4simmental

Smalltom wrote: »

You have my attention . Was it a 1060 or can you remember? What was the blow like and were ye pickin 20ft or what? What was pulling it? Ta

Can't remember to be honist but I'll see it over the weekend and let you know. Pulling it with a new holland ts115 wound up to the tits pushing around 160hp.
Blow was very good, the spout on the jf wasn't as manuravble or as tall as the pottinger but that wasn't a problim with good lads on the trailers. You would have to keep very close picking up the headlands. If still pick the jf all day. 20 foots of new grass so they were on their knees. I was up a gear in the jf picking up in the same grass.

eric prydz

Smalltom wrote: »

The mex vi is a flywheel jobbie and it's operating at full capacity as is. Not really been upgraded since late 80s/early 90s iirc. Hence the interest in the JF. Was speaking today to a machinery guy inside the circle of trust and he says that there was to be an article in this weeks farmers journal about a new JF harvester aimed at farmers just below the 1060 but with customer feedback upgrades.

But your comparing a 25 year flywheel machine with a brand new jf,I cant understand how jf are selling so many harvesters considering that every other machine they produced was only scrap.
You can buy a fairly fresh selfpropelled for the same money as a new jf.

stanflt

Smalltom wrote: »

Our mex vi sounds beautiful running but just don't see a future in purchasing same again with no changes to design. Firm believer in buying bigger (bigger stomach in this case) and speeding things up. The loading shovel is idle with the mex vi. Anyone have a JF 1060???!

have a 900 but i dont use it anymore-cant make dry silage as any of the jfs dont handle tedded grass

its actually cheaper for me to get a contractor and way less hassle-300 acre a year of light quality grass

you should do some figures and put in real diesel usage and labour and depreciation-i still do my own movimg andtedding

tim04750

eric prydz wrote: »

But your comparing a 25 year flywheel machine with a brand new jf,I cant understand how jf are selling so many harvesters considering that every other machine they produced was only scrap.
You can buy a fairly fresh selfpropelled for the same money as a new jf.

Because jf harvesters are not power hungry , nor are they expensive to repair or difficult to work on compared to a diesel guzzling, wallet bending self propelled.

Doing the same as stan now mow ted and rake ourselves and happy with the way the numbers stack up

Smalltom

stanflt wrote: »

have a 900 but i dont use it anymore-cant make dry silage as any of the jfs dont handle tedded grass

its actually cheaper for me to get a contractor and way less hassle-300 acre a year of light quality grass

you should do some figures and put in real diesel usage and labour and depreciation-i still do my own movimg andtedding

In the fortunate position that labour rarely has to be paid and if an extra tractor/trailer is needed it arrived full of fuel and leaves the same way and the compliment is returned if needs be. All of the machinery is paid for so no repayments thank God but I hear ya re the depreciation! A good second hand SP is another engine in the yard and the annual maintenance costs are apparently high. Btw im no expert and an listening to everyone. Thanks so far!

tim04750

Old 900 was capable of lifting 30 acres of heavy first cut on an ideal day if the draw was short and you kept trailers under her so i'd imagine the 1060 should be able to better that but I've no experience of them,
chopped grass from a jf is a bit fluffier than grass from a flywheel machine so trailers fill a bit quicker and dry grass will take more rolling in the pit but wouldn't put me off buying one IF I was in the market

Dawggone

Problem with trailed choppers is that they don't like tedded grass as the swarth can resemble a rope.

Looking into buying a used sp chopper myself.
The price of maize header and corn cracker is off putting though.

F.D

Flywheels are easier driven from what i'm told, if i was looking at one i would be looking at who does the widest pick up, the 10x and mengele were narrow enough and i dont think they have changed, i think the JF might have an option of a bigger one at least

Mad4simmental

Dawggone wrote: »

Problem with trailed choppers is that they don't like tedded grass as the swarth can resemble a rope.

Looking into buying a used sp chopper myself.
The price of maize header and corn cracker is off putting though.

Have a snoop around over here dawg not many contractors taking on maze anymore as the number of lads growing it over here has droped big time. Probibly only get claas here not sure what make your after.

poor farmer

tim04750 wrote: »

Because jf harvesters are not power hungry , nor are they expensive to repair or difficult to work on compared to a diesel guzzling, wallet bending self propelled.

Doing the same as stan now mow ted and rake ourselves and happy with the way the numbers stack up

I agree with all of the above .
Like stan I have a jf 900 parked up ,I haven't used it in two years.Gone all bales.
Jf are a good simple harvester and are easy to maintain .We ran a 900 on a 200 hp tractor no problems but you would still only lift 25-30 acres /day.
A new jf 1060 must be €50k and a 1360 €60k I dont know how you could justify that spend .
When we done our own silage we never saved money ,maybe a bit of an advantage in timeliness and sometimes it was a bit of craic.

Smalltom

poor farmer wrote: »

I agree with all of the above .
Like stan I have a jf 900 parked up ,I haven't used it in two years.Gone all bales.
Jf are a good simple harvester and are easy to maintain .We ran a 900 on a 200 hp tractor no problems but you would still only lift 25-30 acres /day.
A new jf 1060 must be €50k and a 1360 €60k I dont know how you could justify that spend .
When we done our own silage we never saved money ,maybe a bit of an advantage in timeliness and sometimes it was a bit of craic.

Yep approx 50k outlay but while it will be paid for very promptly it's a 10-15yr investment. We require all of out other tractors and the shovel during the winter feeding cows and cattle. The addition of 150+ cows over the next few years to the current herd will swell the acreage. It would cost over 20k to a contractor per year to get silage cut and 7810 is required for the slurry tank and cattle trailer. I suppose we do enjoy it too! A curve ball was thrown by the lely rep yesterday who called in for a chat passin. New lely storm, chute extension, metal detector, crop roller and a rake for free for one year and the option to buy for 50% cost at end of year! 2 year warranty, they will check it over at the end of year 1 to maintain warranty for free, if it doesn't pick 20ft first cut, money back after 1st cut. The only thing is that I don't see it as a step up size wise etc as compared to the 1060. Serious offer tho for 50k plus the discounted rake!!!