Vicon RV 1601 or Vermeer Rebel 5500

[rwk5412]

I can pick up a 2008 Vicon RV 1601 for about $9500 or a 2004 Vermeer Rebel 5500 for about $9,900.

I have been doing my best to research the two to determine which would be the best, but I am not sure.

We bale about 700-800 bales a year of coastal hay with an 80HP tractor. Looking for reliability, low cost of maintenance, etc.

I know Vicon sold off the baler division to Kuhn, which makes me question the ability to get parts after the 10 years or so are up. I know Vermeer isn't going anywhere, but is the 04 Vermeer worth the same as a 08 Vicon?

Any insight on this matter is greatly appreciated....

 

[bigbull338]

vicons used tobe real good round balers.we bought an ran a RP 1582 variant baler back in 91 an ran it for 9yrs.an it put up real tight bales when set right.if i was you id ask the dealer alot of qs about both of the balers.i do know the vermeer 5500 is good balers to bale 300 or 400 bales a year.but i dont know how they would hold up baling 700 or 800 bales.you would be better off stepping up to the 605 baler.

 

[CarterandCarter]

if I was on the fence i would ask myself about service first, both are good balers, in my opinion the Vermeer is easier to work on, and a fairly simple machine and will bale anything I put in front of it!:thumbsup:

 

[HayDR]

I can pick up a 2008 Vicon RV 1601 for about $9500 or a 2004 Vermeer Rebel 5500 for about $9,900.

I have been doing my best to research the two to determine which would be the best, but I am not sure.

We bale about 700-800 bales a year of coastal hay with an 80HP tractor. Looking for reliability, low cost of maintenance, etc.

I know Vicon sold off the baler division to Kuhn, which makes me question the ability to get parts after the 10 years or so are up. I know Vermeer isn't going anywhere, but is the 04 Vermeer worth the same as a 08 Vicon?

Any insight on this matter is greatly appreciated....

The Vermeer 5500 Rebel make a 5.5 x 5 bale. It matches your 5610 tractor fine. Vicon sold less than 200 balers a year in the USA for the last 20 years. Vermeer has been selling 1500-2500 round balers a year during the last 20 years. Parts availability alone would make me choose the Vermeer if the price was close. Market for the 5500 Rebel should be $8,000-10,000. The baler sold new for $15,000-16,000.

 

[rwk5412]

So, do others agree 700 bales a year is a bit much for the Vermeer? How about the Vicon? Both seem to fall into the same price bracket so I assume the are close to the same durability.

 

[Larry B 1466]

700 bales a year is nothing on a 5500 Vermeer. I have been custom baling for 25 years and 24 of thoes years with a Vermeer. My first Vermeer was a 505 Super I. Put 12,000 bales thru it with only one bearing problem. I also had a 555 XL similar to the 5500 putting over 16,000 bales in three and a half years thru it with only replacing belt lace several times. The last four years I have run a 605 M with a 605 Super M update roller kit putting around 3,500 to 4,000 bales a year thru it. I have run as many as 25 bales an hour thru it with a 145 hp tractor in front of it.

 

[Bigfoot62]

I would buy the Vermeer,

and, it will handle a lot more than 700 bales per year.

 

[rwk5412]

Is there a brand you guys would suggest over the Vermeer? Or, is it basically down to taste when you start picking between the major brands?

 

[Bigfoot62]

Is there a brand you guys would suggest over the Vermeer? Or, is it basically down to taste when you start picking between the major brands?

Taste. Personal preference. Whatever you want to call it.

For me, It's JD or Vermeer round balers.

 

[rwk5412]

Would the 5610's be enough to push a 6x4 or 6x5 Vermeer baler, or would that be pushing it a little too much when the chamber gets full and pulling up an incline?