CCM Drum Mower..pros / cons

[DaveOmak]

I have been studying CCM drum mowers and others. They are my 1st choice as of now. I am considering the t-135.
I will use it on my NAA mowing alfalfa.

I am hoping, those of you who have used this mower will take the time to list likes, dislikes, pros and cons etc.
I have never seen a drum mower or seen one operate.
This is a big jump because I live in Washington and there are no dealers close. Reliability is premium and from what I read, they are reliable. Also, what spare parts would you order at the time of original order from CCM.

[DemcoEd]

Its been a while since I sold disc mowers and the draw back with this type of mower is in heavy crop they are very power hungry. I'm told that in heavy conditions you may need ~100 HP to operate. I would talk to other owners to get their feedback.

[flusher]

I have been studying CCM drum mowers and others. They are my 1st choice as of now. I am considering the t-135.
I will use it on my NAA mowing alfalfa.

I am hoping, those of you who have used this mower will take the time to list likes, dislikes, pros and cons etc.
I have never seen a drum mower or seen one operate.
This is a big jump because I live in Washington and there are no dealers close. Reliability is premium and from what I read, they are reliable. Also, what spare parts would you order at the time of original order from CCM.

Check out "drum mower" on YouTube and you'll find a bunch of videos of these mowers in action.

A drum mower is on my wish list also.

[samkimmerly]

just ordered a ccm t135 expecting it this friday did a lot of reserch ,cost was good. will let u know how it works next week if no rain.got it from ky.dealer said blades last 5 years and curtin 5 years. belts 5 year.dealer sending a ex set of blades also says local tsc has blades.putting it on a Kubota 3030 28pto horse power

[DaveOmak]

just ordered a ccm t135 expecting it this friday did a lot of reserch ,cost was good. will let u know how it works next week if no rain.got it from ky.dealer said blades last 5 years and curtin 5 years. belts 5 year.dealer sending a ex set of blades also says local tsc has blades.putting it on a Kubota 3030 28pto horse power

Sam, Thanks. Exactly what I am looking for. Somebody who owns one and can give a first hand review. I have been looking for almost 2 years. Watching videos on U-tube, reading reports etc.
The thing I like is they only take 20 hp and my NAA should handle it fine.
My JD 9W sickle bar will not handle my fine stem alfalfa. It is so thick and tall, it gets tangled and rolls under the bar and lifts it up leaving streaks of un cut alfalfa.
There are folks who will not believe what I just wrote but who cares.
I am interested in the "so called" capability of it not plugging in thick, tall hay. Hopefully you have some thick stuff to cut.
Thanks much, Dave

[flusher]

Sam, Thanks. Exactly what I am looking for. Somebody who owns one and can give a first hand review. I have been looking for almost 2 years. Watching videos on U-tube, reading reports etc.
The thing I like is they only take 20 hp and my NAA should handle it fine.
My JD 9W sickle bar will not handle my fine stem alfalfa. It is so thick and tall, it gets tangled and rolls under the bar and lifts it up leaving streaks of un cut alfalfa.
There are folks who will not believe what I just wrote but who cares.
I am interested in the "so called" capability of it not plugging in thick, tall hay. Hopefully you have some thick stuff to cut.
Thanks much, Dave

Re: your sicklebar--I hear you. I've rebuilt my old MF31 7-ft sicklebar three times so far and it still won't mow Kanota oats without leaving uncut streaks. I need a low maintenance mower that works reliably when I need it without the clogging hassle. That's why there's a drum mower in my future.

[DaveOmak]

Flusher, morning. Well I guess we will both learn something here.
I want to believe the advertising and how good this mower is. I need something that works without a hassle.
Talking to an owner who will give first a first hand account could drive me to a purchase.
I am not concerned about the cutting width only that it will cut my hay for a reasonable price.
Uncut hay is a pain in the ........You obviously are in the same camp as me on this one.
It would be nice to hook up to the mower and start cutting a field without having to get off the tractor 30-40 time to unplug the bar.
Waiting for the revue now......Dave

[samkimmerly]

Flusher, morning. Well I guess we will both learn something here.
I want to believe the advertising and how good this mower is. I need something that works without a hassle.
Talking to an owner who will give first a first hand account could drive me to a purchase.
I am not concerned about the cutting width only that it will cut my hay for a reasonable price.
Uncut hay is a pain in the ........You obviously are in the same camp as me on this one.
It would be nice to hook up to the mower and start cutting a field without having to get off the tractor 30-40 time to unplug the bar.
Waiting for the revue now......Dave

today i got it t135 about 1 hr to unpack and adjust.headed to a field my son was bushhoging in 1st gear and mower 6in off ground.and old leach system with weeds about 7ft tall and damp. kicked in pto with new t135 took a while to get going. high gear made a swoop stop. at end of field was disapointed didnt look like cut got off tractor kicked the weeds. to my surprise it was cut like a bure hair cut the weeds was cut but standing. got old 9n out with hay rake moved the weeds over look like a lawn mower cut it. cheep.worked and trasported easy.that was my test drive.cut pto off at edge of field went across my wife lawn it was still cutting and she just mowed yesterday and cut it better than mower went about 10 ft untill it stoped the real job will be monday cutting 5acres of hay.mowing with a Kubota 3030

[DaveOmak]

samkimmerly, morning. WOW.....better than I expected. Pictures, if you could, would be appreciated. That report is exactly what I had hoped for. Perfect cut, no plugging.
OK, pictures, pictures and more pictures of the tall wet stuff PLEASE.......I am so excited to hear that......
Crap, 63 yrs old and as excited as a kid going to their first circus.........I can picture it now.......mowing the long stringy fine-stem alfalfa and not getting off the tractor.

Dave

[slowzuki]

If your sickle bar was set up perfectly, it shouldn't have trouble in alfalfa BUT try to find someone good at setting up a bar. I run a discmower now as I was tired of adjusting guards and shims etc. With new serrated knives adjusted right, our sicklebar mower would cut really well but that was only the first hour of the day then you've got more work. Discmower (drum is similar) you change blades at 10 secs each and bam good for another 8 hours (we have lots of rocks).