Deutz Fahr drum mower

[quicksandfarmer]

I have the opportunity to buy a Deutz Fahr drum mower, a KM22. I'm trying to find out information about it and not coming up with much. It seems like they haven't been sold in the US for a long time. Does anyone have one? Can you get parts? Any thoughts on what to look for when checking it out?

Thanks.

 

[flusher]

Just google "KM22" and a few dozen websites will show up.
Looks like the consumable parts (blades, etc) are still available.
Best to test run that mower in a real hayfield.
Next best: hook it up to a tractor so you can lift it off the ground and then run it. Check for funny noises, obvious wobble that would mean some type of problem with the drum drive.

Good luck.

 

[Mirboo]

My Dad had a Deutz Fahr drum mower that he used on our farm for many years. It mowed a lot of hay. Not sure if it was a KM22 or not but I googled KM22 and the pictures that came back look the same as my Dad's old mower. It was a good mower. He ran it behind a 54hp Fiat 4WD tractor.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Just google "KM22" and a few dozen websites will show up.
Looks like the consumable parts (blades, etc) are still available.
Best to test run that mower in a real hayfield.
Next best: hook it up to a tractor so you can lift it off the ground and then run it. Check for funny noises, obvious wobble that would mean some type of problem with the drum drive.

Good luck.

Reading the results of googling, I find websites in the US that sell blades and blade holders, but anything more exotic than that seems to be only available from Europe. I'm worried that if anything breaks it wouldn't be cost-effective to repair and I'd be left with a big piece of scrap metal.

 

[PROFarms]

Don't know if my thoughts would still be relevant to this thread but I have today, just purchased a KM22 mower off of a friend who had it from new.

The only work he has ever had to do on it is changing blades, blade holders and has chosen to repair the bodywork around the belts. I saw it run this morning and it ran flawless so i decided to buy and had it back home in less than 60mins from first seeing it. He used to run it on a Fordson Dexta (not sure if you had them in the US) which was plenty light enough on the front end on hills but otherwise it was fine on flat ground. Admittedly i am in Europe but i heard from a friend in the US who has one, he said that parts are fairly easy to get hold of. He said just go into any farm dealership and they can get the exact part or something just as good, normally within 2-3 days. Parts here in the UK are always in stock as they are such a popular mower over here for anyone with tight spaces or for anyone with less than 150 acres.