Has anyone dug into what Hesson etc. used for their swathers? I'm seeing a bunch of older machines in the almost free ads. They used a brake or clutch- brake system for the driver axle with trailing back tires. Is it one of those we see in old snow cats? Possible parts source? IDK.
…. a possibility of cheap is perhaps the parts support...after a certain number of years ...the mfg. ( which I believe now is AGCO) … stops making all parts for a certain model. the options then go to used , either from a salvage yard in the Midwest, ..or buy another complete machine to scavenge parts off of . john deere had a few models , in the late 60's, early 70's, that looked similar. it ran on a dual set-up , of mechanical clutch/pressure plates/ brake bands, etc . for propulsion and steering.