[Hayjosh]

When you look at the price of a new Haybine it’s a no brainer to just get a discbine instead.

As for myself, I’m probably a lifer with my 488. I can justify the cost of a discbine for all the more I do and I love watching the reel and everything about the machine work.

 

[Hayjosh]

I agree, it’s very mesmerizing to watch and listen to the Haybine go. Not as fast as a discbine but I still mow at 5 mph and if the field is smooth enough I could go 6 in second cut. Mowing for me is relaxing and maybe the funnest part of haying.

In memory of the 488 going into retirement I feel compelled to share some of the videos I’ve made with my 488. The first is with a new 16 yr old operator who’s mowing like a boss but has music overlay. The second video is view from the seat with the sound of the equipment. You can hear how smooth it runs even with that thick, tall first cut. RIP 488.

 

[Hayjosh]

It was nice dragging the 489 around with 45 hp. With battery impacts now would be even easier. But then I remember sitting under it unplugging it, and plugging at every point row, and burning drive belts off, and trying to fit it down the road. I won’t be rushing to find one to stash away for the future.

Unplugging mine got to be supremely frustrating until I changed to stub guards 3 or 4 years ago and have forgotten plugs were a thing.

 

[Hayjosh]

Great videos. Probably a dumb idea but I have thought about switching from the small disc mower to a haybine. I found a 488 but it isnt nearly as nice as yours.

I've never used a disc mower. If you're doing grass, the conditioning from a haybine would be useful in first cut but not subsequent cuts. If you're doing alfalfa, a conditioning mower would be helpful in all cuts to help stem dry down. Older well-used haybines can have their own headaches, like bad rolls, bad wobble boxes, poorly adjusted guards which cut poorly and blow out wobble boxes.