McConnell PA500

[deutz.agrostar]

I'm looking at getting a trimmer for the first time, got about 600 acres to trim. Are these any good? Easy to hitch up? What to look for?

 

[MrNoo]

I have one, pretty happy with it, unfortunately mine doesn`t have the integral pump to supply the arm rams (our old one did) so make sure it has the double pump, hitches on and off ok, I run it on the 3 point as opposed to using their special frame, takes around 20 mins, (helps if you have hook ends on the link arms) I assume 2nd hand? Check for play in the head bearings, flails, welding on arm and Hydro pipes. If you can hear it run up should give you some idea of the state of the pump although never had any problems with them. Neighbour had one brand new with a duff pump, made one hell of a racket!
Good old bus though, not a lot to go wrong
p.s. Check the cable outers for cracks, when cracked they can let water in and results in the cables becoming rusted up and hard to operate, I used to just brush on a good diesel/oil mix on the old one, worked ok.

 

[Monty]

Not a bad machine. A little heavy for my liking but nice to use. You'll want a 5t + tractor with a strong linkage in front to make sense of it. From memory i think there is a bar that goes between the tractor link arms that you just back up to the cutter to help with hitching.

Just have a general look at the overall condition of the machine any play in the joints, welds/bends in the arm, condition of the hydraulic pipes etc. You won't know what it's like really until you run it up on a tractor.

Definitely would recommend a mcconnel though. As Tony the tiger says they'rrrre grrrreat

 

[Monty]

Oh yes and make sure it has electric controls.

 

[brynseiri]

If its cheap enough get it, new bushes and pins and put a new head on her, as new hedgecutter for little money.