Combines Massey corn head numbersIJ

let's see how much I can misinform you.If the numbers end in a 4 it means their wide if they end in a 3 their narrow.The 2nd to the last number is the rows.Now I'm even not sure if it only has 2 numbers it's very old.Had an 1144 corn head on a 550 best head i've ever used on a massey.Went to narrow row's and got an 1143 it wasn't taken care of the best by previous owner but we got by.Finally manage to get an 8560 what a base unit got an old white 8row for it n was 9483 I believe was very sloped and seemed to shell too much corn it also weighed alot and didn't raise too high.Dealer talked us into an 883corn head supose to be a great head just like the 884 posted on this page it breaks cob's, throws them over the front of the snouts over side panels, basically anywhere but in the combine.It shells as much if not more than old head.The stripper plates are mounted back too far so when you open a field you bulldoze the corn down instead of gathering it.Can't afford to trade every year but this head is junk.Service guy's claim it is good on part's as they don't need to be replaced and I pray they dont.Each row has a double connecting chain under it for a drive looked like they could break if you got into something wanted 1 as a spare just in case believe they quoted me a price of 127$ i'm not going to take out a loan just to get a dam chain.My advice is find an 11series head in good shape and go through it yourself end to end even switch it to poly and run it for years.

Farmer at Heart is correct about the numbering system. He is also correct on if it is only 2 numbers then it is the older series head. The 11xx are the newer heads but I cant tell you what years they changed. As far as mechanicals the two are not that much different. The 11xx series have different tin that makes them much easier to work on. I also believe that the deck plates are easier to adjust on them. These are well-built heads and if you find one that has been well taken care of then it should give you very little trouble. Most important of all is the greasing. The snapping rollers need daily or twice daily greasing and the gearboxes also need regular attention. At the start of every year we have always pumped a tube of corn head grease (JD makes it) into each gearbox and then give them regular greasing every couple days. Also make sure you have plenty of gathering chain sprockets available. They are just too small for the load that is placed on them and they do fail frequently. But if you have them on hand and have the right tools in the combine then they only take a few minutes to change out on the 11xx series. The earlier ones take longer due to the tin not coming off as easily.

Our old 72 massey had a 22 corn head...2 row wide Our 410 had a 422...4 row wide and later a 421 4 row narrow. Both were non quick attach. We currently run an 1163 6 row narrow on a 510. Too much head for it but we just go slower. The 11 series are a really good head. There are several of them around here running on Case IH and JD machines. Fairly easy to maintain also.