Homemade Swather (windrower)

[flusher]

That would be a great start to what i want to build. I am new to disc mowers but from what I have heard they they are more reliable and able to be driven faster then sickle bar type...but as a down side I believe they require more HP, please correct me if Im wrong as this is just what I have heard.

Since this project of either building a windrower machine or rebuilding a factory unit wont be a "finish in a week or two" thing, I think I might build my own pull behind 6' or 7' disc mower. And HOPEFULLY be able to run it with a 30hp diesel cub cadet as it just sips the fuel.

If I could get some info/pictures on how the disc mowers function and how the cutting discs "hang" from the frame I could start designing out the mower. And of course show everyone the project in various stages of completion

Thanks for all the help!!!!

6 or 7 ft disc mower on a 30hp Cub--won't work. Your pto hp is probably around 25 hp and disc mowers generally take about 6-8 pto hp per foot.

New Disc Mowers

And you need to consider the weight of the disc mower which is cantilevered off the 3pt hitch on your Cub compared to the weight of the Cub and the lift capacity of the 3pt hitch.

Correct: sicklebar mowers take considerably less pto hp/foot, more like 3-4.

 

[stanggt88]

I realize that it hangs off the 3pt and puts alot of force on the rear. but I was thinking about using large casters to help support the weight of the mower. Ill sketch something up in Cad this weekend and post it on here as to what I am thinking.

Thanks for the link and input!!!!

 

[jonyyuma]

Hey Flusher, that a nice looking Rambler in your barn. Does it run?

 

[flusher]

Hey Flusher, that a nice looking Rambler in your barn. Does it run?

It's my neighbor's. Not running.

 

[NormL]

Gotta pull another size seven outa me mouth!:thumbsup:

Nah!:laughing: Steak tastes better.:thumbsup: Fits better, too.

 

[Egon]

Gotta admit Steak would be much nicer than one of my Redwing workboots!:laughing::thumbsup:

 

[rlneal]

Here is a link to an article about a guy in South Dakota who built a windrower from an old combine. He can cut 32 feet in one pass.
FARM SHOW - "Articulated Double Windrower" Built Out Of Old Combine

 

[CowboyRon]

Here is a link to an article about a guy in South Dakota who built a windrower from an old combine. He can cut 32 feet in one pass.
FARM SHOW - "Articulated Double Windrower" Built Out Of Old Combine

Unbelievable, man that's some setup. 20 acres an hour

 

[dieselscout80]

Here is a link to an article about a guy in South Dakota who built a windrower from an old combine. He can cut 32 feet in one pass.
FARM SHOW - "Articulated Double Windrower" Built Out Of Old Combine

Here are some pics of that unit or another just about like it.


With disc mower headers it would really be a cutting machine.

 

[CliffordK]

Around here, the conditioner types of mowers have fallen out of favor.
In 1980 we had someone mow our field with a self propelled mower/conditioner, but since then, the mowers have always been tractor implements.

The Disc mowers apparently eat up a lot more HP than the old sickle bar mowers, so depending on the size you're interested in, 30 HP may be a little light. unless you have a second engine on your mower.

For my Kuhn disc mower, the cutter bar is more complex than you might think. Each disc rotates in the opposite direction. And, the discs are all geared so they can be synchronized, so the long part passes the narrow part on the nearby cutter.

You may choose to rebuild a cutter bar, but I doubt you will want to make one from scratch in your home shop.

If you just want the hay piled up a little bit, but not conditioned, you may look at the drum mowers. They would be a very simple design that will automatically windrow the grass to some extent. And, if you are wanting to build one from scratch, there are a lot fewer parts than a disc mower.

I like the photos of the mower/combine, although there are certainly other "options" if one wants a wide mower. A couple of brands make front mount mowers, as well as wing mount mowers.

See:
Krone North America -*EasyCut 9140

For "Gang" implements, I'm hoping to drive my self propelled baler home tomorrow (more notes to follow). I have wondered if one could gang tow the self-propelled baler + another baler, but I would imagine driving the two would be tricky.