4.13pm - Friday 22nd August 2025 100,050

Today we’re putting three swathers head-to-head in a real field demo: the John Deere W235R with a 16-foot rotary head, the New Holland Speedrower 260 Plus with a 20-foot head, and the Massey Ferguson WR265 swather. We wanted to see how each machine stacks up in real-world hay cutting conditions—not just what the brochures say. This is an honest farmer comparison to help us decide which swather we should trade into for next year.

The John Deere W235R brings updated technology like auto steer, a redesigned cab for comfort, and Deere’s reputation for reliability and precision. The New Holland Speedrower 260 Plus has been a workhorse on our farm for years—it runs a wide head, lays down clean windrows, and has proven itself in reliability and dry down performance. The Massey Ferguson WR265 is another strong competitor in the swather market, known for its powerful engine, advanced TwinMax conditioning system, smooth ride, and efficiency in tough hay and alfalfa conditions.

In this swather comparison, we’ll cover:

Cab comfort and ride quality for long hours in the seat

Cutting speed and head performance across different conditions

Conditioner design and impact on dry down times

Windrow consistency and how they feed into the baler

Ease of use, controls, and features like auto steer

Dealer setup, support, and overall service reliability

Each swather was set up by the dealership so you’re seeing the best performance possible for each brand in the same field. By the end of the day, all three—John Deere, New Holland, and Massey Ferguson—showed strengths, but only one will be the right fit for our farm moving forward.

If you’re researching swathers or just love farm equipment, this real-world test will give you a farmer’s perspective on what really matters in hay cutting.

👉 Which one would you pick: John Deere, New Holland, or Massey Ferguson? Let us know in the comments!

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