Got both a row crop head and a flex head. Needless to say the flexhead stays in storage most of the time. Use it only for beans. This year I will be getting the second combine and need to use the flexhead. Not really looking forward to it. Wish I had another 8row. I do however have a six row for parts. It's a 653A. I have seen a 453 at an auction coming up. It's going to go dirt cheap, probably $50.

What was the problem with the straight 53 heads? Would it be possible to make an 8 row out of the 653A and the 453? Would everything fit together? Not sure what the difference is between the two.

Also, my 853A has discs as skid plates. I know they are available from shoup or sloan, but is there an application where they are used on a JD? don't want to mail order everytime i break one. Don't really like the quality of the aftermarket stuff from shoup. They must be used as a marker or something.