Hay harvesting options for compact tractors.

[HayDR]

sicklebar mower
single action- conventional mower with fixed guards and a reciprocating sickle knife.
double action- reciprocating movement of the knife inside the guards while the guard knife also is moving in a reciprocating action.
drum mower
single drum mower- knives shear the grass while moving very fast, the mower floats along on a saucer
multi-drum mower- same as above

 

[RichZ]

I'm not familiar with a drum mower. You say it cuts with knives, is it like a flail mower?

I presently cut hay with an old sicklebar mower, but would like something easier to use that isn't as expensive as a mower conditioner. How do drum mowers work, and how much are they?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Think of a string trimmer. A drum mower works like that, only several lined up side by side, and metal knives instead of plasic line. They aren't cheap, but they cut through dirt & dew, and much faster than a sickle.

--->Paul

 

[RichZ]

Thanks, Paul! So do you think they'd be good for cutting hay to be square baled? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

They'd be fine Rich but they don't have any crimping action. If I was you I'd get a sickle bar type mower conditioner. Used ones can be had for about the price you'll pay for the new drum mower.

 

[jtn]

I had always heard them called "rotary" or "disc" mower. NH calls thier rotary mower conditioner with crimping rolls a Discbine (and thier sicklebar moco a Haybine).

A haybine is ok but a discbine is a much faster and better. Only problem is you need 80 hp to run one; a disc mower, however, only needs 35 or so. The disc type mower can cut a lot faster and deal with tougher and heavier hay .

JT

 

[RichZ]

That's what I was thinking, Richard, but I'm always open to any options. I was thinking if the drum mower was easier to use, and cheap enough that maybe I could get a used crimper to pull behind it. So far it looks like a used moco is the way to go. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The rotory mowers are great to cut grass hay for baling - output much like a sickle bar, just no plugging. Can be used on alfalfa, but in most locations a moco/haybine works better for getting good alfalfa up.

Since this thread mentions compact tractors, be careful on moco/haybines - like balers, they need a lot of weight as well as power to run. I put a 9' 1209 JD moco on a 50 hp rowcrop tractor, and I would not have wanted a lighter tractor! They are heavy, & are offset - can be the tail wagging the dog - takes some muscle to make them go around the fields in less than ideal conditions.

--->Paul

 

[RichZ]

Thanks, Paul!!!

No, I'm not planning on using a moco with a compact tractor. I'll use my Oliver 1550 (62 hp) for that. I think it'll be heavy enough. It's heavy enough to run my NH baler with a kicker. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color="red"> I presently cut hay with an old sicklebar mower, but would like something easier to use that isn't as expensive as
a mower conditioner</font>
If you want to go with a machine that is way ahead of a sickle bar. They are non clogging and very few moving parts to repair or replace and priced well under $700-$800--You may consider a used NI cut-ditioner--These actually cut much like a frailer and you do get a conditioned hay out the back--your tractor will handle a 7 ft ok.--Pictured below is a example of what they look like.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.