Machine type
Pull-type sickle-bar mower conditioner / haybine
New Holland mower ยท 2010s to 2023
New Holland 488 Haybine Mower Conditioner
New Holland 488 Haybine Mower Conditioner is a pull-type sickle-bar mower conditioner, or haybine, with a 9 ft 3 in. cutting width. It cuts hay with a sickle cutterbar and crimps stems between chevron-pattern rubber rolls to promote faster drydown.
Cutting width
9 ft 3 in.
Power required
35 hp minimum
Production years
2010s to 2023
New Holland 488 Haybine Mower Conditioner specifications
| Machine type | Pull-type sickle-bar mower conditioner / haybine |
|---|---|
| Cutting width | 9 ft 3 in. |
| Power required | 35 hp minimum |
| Production years | 2010s to 2023 |
| Cutting system | Single sickle cutterbar with bolted over-serrated sections |
| Conditioning type | Chevron-design intermeshing molded rubber rolls |
| Cutting height range | 1.25 to 4.25 in. |
| PTO speed | 540 rpm |
| Approx. weight | About 2,763 lb |
What the 488 Haybine Mower Conditioner is used for
The 488 is used to cut and condition hay for raking and baling. A four-tine reel feeds crop to the sickle cutterbar and then to the rubber rolls, which crimp stems before the crop is discharged in a swath or windrow. It fits smaller hay operations that need a roughly 9-foot pull-type machine.
Why the New Holland 488 Haybine Mower Conditioner stands out
The 488 uses a simple sickle cutterbar, four-tine reel, and rubber roll conditioner. Its equal-angle PTO hookup and adjustable header flotation support steady operation across rolling ground. The adjustable discharge gate can form a swath, windrow, or intermediate width.
Buying a used New Holland 488 Haybine Mower Conditioner
Check sickle sections, guards, hold-downs, wobble drive, reel bearings, and reel belts and chains for wear. Inspect the rubber conditioner rolls for cracks, separation, uneven wear, and proper pressure adjustment. Verify the PTO shaft, equal-angle hitch, lift system, skid shoes, tires, and safety shields are in usable condition.
New Holland 488 Haybine Mower Conditioner frequently asked questions
What PTO speed does a New Holland 488 use?
The 488 uses a 540-rpm PTO.
How wide is the 488 Haybine cutterbar?
It cuts 9 ft 3 in.
What should be checked first on a used 488?
Start with sickle and guard wear, roll condition, wobble-drive condition, belts and chains, and PTO and hitch safety components.
Specifications are commonly cited figures for general reference; exact figures vary by year and serial number, so confirm against TractorData.com and the machine's records. Values and prices of used mowers and conditioners vary by condition, use, and region. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.