Re: JD 9450
Hittman,
If you are serious about this machine, we now know enough to be dangerous. A few questions:
Was it rebuilt and then sat on the lot, or did it go through fall harvest and then the to the lot(is it a Deere dealer or other color)? Which means it could have ran another couple hundred hours and more stuff could need replacing.
What did they replace on the rebuild? Some things to look at for sure, shaker bushings bearings, walker blocks. The idler pulley bearing on the back side of the engine that turns the radiator screen, check to make sure it is solid (if they did not change that from the 10 series). That can be headache on any maximizer.
If the price is really good and they did a complete rebuild, just make sure there is not some additional things that need replacing now. It could still have several thousand dollars of work needed. Have someone who has maximizer experience look it over if you don't. My disclaimer. Not to scare you, but this hour machine is in the range where a lot of stuff needs replacing or at least checked.
As far as header size, we run a 925F on our 9410, but very seldom cut 40 bushel beans. If you are cutting 40 plus most of the time and some green stems, you might be quite satisfied with the 20 foot. Also, you mentioned cutting small fields (assuming 10-50 acre patches, going through gates etc) and probably roading a lot, then your on the right track with a 20. I would not try to talk you into anything bigger. You will make up in ground speed what you lose in header width.