Haybine or Discbine for low hp tractors

[Slippy]

I did a lot of research on this issue, and some of the guys that are replying to you here helped me tremendously. I suggest you do a google search on hay and hay cutting. There is a lot of good stuff about taking down hay fields, what equipment and how to do it. The conditioner mowers I have read are better for conditioning the hay, but if you have leafy plants and they are dry, it can be worse becasue it can knock off the leaves. I have talked to numerous guys who have bailed hay for years. Without exception, they have told me that the disk mowers are less expensive, take less hp which means smaller tractor, and can cut in all conditions. However, they also told me that once they went to a mower conditioner, they would not go back. It does a much better job of preparing the hay, sealing in the nutrients, and drys faster. So, I bought a Veermer mower conditioner 10' that I will be pulling with a Int. 1086 which has 130 pto hp., with cab.
Safety first for me, so I would not pull any disk mower without cab. Those blades are spinning at incredable speeds.
Veermer has a Rebel bailer that can be pulled with little hp.

 

[Matney4520]

Well I went and looked at a few mowers today. The haybines that I saw were in poor condition and needing quite a bit of work. I did see several disc mowers: Kuhn, New Holland, John Deere, and Vicon, and am leaning toward a disc mower and tedder. The Kuhn, New Holland, and John Deere all looked like the same machine with different hitch variations. These machines had been painted and seemed to be in tight overall condition. I would like to know opinions on these mowers and there prices and of any specifics I should looke for. The "5 hat machines" of all colors were $2750, and the "6 hat machines" were $2850. Are these prices reasonable for used disc mowers?
The Model Numbers are below:
NH 462
JD 260
Kuhn GMD66HD and GMD55

Thanks again for everyones advice.

 

[mark.r]

Well I went and looked at a few mowers today. The haybines that I saw were in poor condition and needing quite a bit of work. I did see several disc mowers: Kuhn, New Holland, John Deere, and Vicon, and am leaning toward a disc mower and tedder. The Kuhn, New Holland, and John Deere all looked like the same machine with different hitch variations. These machines had been painted and seemed to be in tight overall condition. I would like to know opinions on these mowers and there prices and of any specifics I should looke for. The "5 hat machines" of all colors were $2750, and the "6 hat machines" were $2850. Are these prices reasonable for used disc mowers?
The Model Numbers are below:
NH 462
JD 260
Kuhn GMD66HD and GMD55

Thanks again for everyones advice.

Were these used or new units, I am assuming used by the price you listed. The JD260 and Kuhn GMD66 should be identical or nearly identical units. The GMD55 should be the same as well only shorter. The is also a GMD500 which is the HD model of the GMD55. I have seen the a brand new NH and it looked good as well. Not much different but as far as I know it is made by NH and not rebadged but Robert may know better. The GMD55/500 has caught my eye. I have seen the used ones in the 4500.00 range though . . .

 

[Matney4520]

Sorry, I forgot to add that these were used units. The salesman I spoke with said that they had been gone through to make sure they were good units. I am not sure what he meant, I did not get to talk to him long.

 

[mark.r]

Sorry, I forgot to add that these were used units. The salesman I spoke with said that they had been gone through to make sure they were good units. I am not sure what he meant, I did not get to talk to him long.

I have seen some for sale in the 3500.00 range but they alway look like they have taken a beating. Of course with Ag equipment that doesn't always mean it has really been beat on too bad.

 

[Matney4520]

I believe that I have decided on a disc or drum mower and tedder combination. Do you guys have any opinions on which is better, disc or drum? Also for disc mowers, are the shaft drive machines better than the oil bath cutter bar machines? I am really interested in the Haymaxx Drum mower because of the price of a new one, but no one I know of has a drum mower, or has run one. I am a little leary of buying a used mower, not knowing the history of the machine. I don't want to spend a large amount of money on someone else's problem.

 

[HayDR]

I believe that I have decided on a disc or drum mower and tedder combination. Do you guys have any opinions on which is better, disc or drum? Also for disc mowers, are the shaft drive machines better than the oil bath cutter bar machines? I am really interested in the Haymaxx Drum mower because of the price of a new one, but no one I know of has a drum mower, or has run one. I am a little leary of buying a used mower, not knowing the history of the machine. I don't want to spend a large amount of money on someone else's problem.

Go by Valley Equipment in Science Hill, KY they have drum mowers in stock. Drum mower technology is older than disc mower technology and the disc & drum mower cut in the same manner. It is proven and works well and is cost effective for smaller operators that need 5 acres a hour or less production. These mowers will last you a very long time. We have been selling this design since 1982 and most of those first drum mowers sold back then are still mowing today. The HayMAXX drum mowers will mow any type hay crop in any conditions at speeds as fast as you ride your tractor.
We also produce disc mowers here in the USA. Some customers want more production per hour and we understand both markets. When it comes to operators doing 50 acres or less a year they often are asking the same you do. Why buy a good used disc mower when you can purchase a new HayMAXX drum mower for about the same money?

 

[Matney4520]

Thanks for the info CCI. I will check your dealer out in Science Hill, it is about an hour and a half from me. As for the mowers would the T165 or the T190 better suit my tractor? I may have asked this before, but I can't recall or find where I asked.

 

[HayDR]

Thanks for the info CCI. I will check your dealer out in Science Hill, it is about an hour and a half from me. As for the mowers would the T165 or the T190 better suit my tractor? I may have asked this before, but I can't recall or find where I asked.

You have the HP to run either mower. The only question would be when the drum mower is in transport. The T165 matches the weight and size of your tractor better.