Looking for a new disc mower... brands?

[dixiedrifter]

Well I got to run a disc mower for the first time Sunday it was a beat up new holland 463 with dull blades, but dang I was impressed!

Those things blow sickle bar mowers out of the water... I'm spoiled now and from this point on refuse to use any more sickles.

I think I will look over the winter to find a used one, and/or will possibly consider buying one new to use next year.

Any suggestions on what brand to get?

 

[gabby]

I have a new Vermeer TM-800 pull type disc mower. I like it. It cuts 10.5 feet wide. I cut a 23 acre hay field in 4 hours and 20 minutes. Easy to hook up, requires 2 hydraulic circuits to operate the swing cylinder and the height cylinder. It has quick change cutter blades. Cost about 11.5k this spring.

 

[Greyfields]

I have a Hesston and enjoy it.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

New Holland really does a great job with disc mowers. They are priced well too.

 

[dixiedrifter]

I do like the New Holland brand, although I've heard bad things about them though and the Vermeers. What everyone seems to dislike is mainly the fact that they are shaft driven (except the NH HM series).

From what I have heard, DM's that have shaft driven cutterbars must spin much faster than those having an idler gear, have twice as many bearings to go down since the pods are sealed. The shaft drives also take more horsepower to pull (the Vermeer mowers are hogs according to the manufacturers specs) due to friction losses in the drive mechanism.

I refuse to purchase another piece of machinery off the net if I can help it. Farm machinery can and will break, therefore its very imporant to me to purchase from a dealer who sells a dedicated color of paint, will give me a fair price, has a wide selection of parts on hand, and can get any other parts not in stock overnight. While they may be good impliments, the Fort and Haymaxx brands are out because of this. Waiting 2 days for the UPS man to arrive with rain clouds threatening on the horizon is BS, along with paying a hundred bucks to have something sent overnight. The way I figure it, in the hay business you only have certain windows which you can get it done. If the machine goes down at an inoppurtune time and you miss your window, that right there would offset any savings on some generic name iron.

Anyone know what a NH HM236 runs?

 

[jimg]

In my area Kuhn has a good reputation + several dealers carry that line. I have to agree that parts & service availability is key if youre making $$$ off your tractor/implements. Once you narrow the list of brands & dealers Id talk w/ as many other farmers as I could. Theyll tell you who comes thru in a pinch & how the equipment is holding up, what wears out/needs attention.

 

[dixiedrifter]

I agree on the Kuhns having a good reputation.. I've never heard anything bad about them and most ppl say they are about the best brand out there.

I've also never seen a used one up for resale (except the one that was a repo).

IIRR they are pretty expensive too, with a 6 pod machine running over $7K.

 

[civesnedfield]

I agree on the Kuhns having a good reputation.. I've never heard anything bad about them and most ppl say they are about the best brand out there.

I've also never seen a used one up for resale (except the one that was a repo).

IIRR they are pretty expensive too, with a 6 pod machine running over $7K.

Not sure if you are looking at a mower or a mower/conditioner. This makes a difference when looking at required HP. The conditioner will eat up the HP. The Kuhn mowers are outstanding. If you are looking at tow behind vs 3PH, I recommend the 2poit hook up. The PTO drives a swivel transmission, this makes tight turns a breeze. A 9'-10" 2 pt mower conditioner requires 70 HP

 

[farmerjim]

not sure what type you're looking at 3pt or tow behind? but i've been looking at them for awhile now both 3pt and tow behind, but i still need to keep saving, which seems endless, as w/ the upgrade mower i will need a bigger tractor. for the money the nh are a great machines, i've also looked at kuhn,new idea,and jd all make very good machines. i have been impressed w/ some of the european makers lately though krone,claas,tonutti,pottinger, and sitrex all seem to be very well made, the euros know their grass well. only issue i see w/ the euros is there isn't really a dealer close to me if i broke something.i think when i do purchase one i will go w/ a 3pt mount w/ a conditioner, as these seem to be the best fit for my application, easier to transport down the road as the mower either folds behind the tractor length wise or folds up tall like a sickle would.

 

[jdeere5205]

I dont know if you are looking for a disc mower or a moco but I currently have a kuhn gmd 55 disc mower and it is by far one of the best brand mowers out there. I have also had a sitrex disc mower for 4 years and it is great too except for the parts!!! At my dealer it cost me $21 for the bolts to hold on the blades for the sitrex. For my kuhn the bolts are only $3 so that is why I am looking to trade it in on a demo Vicon cm2400 mower at my local dealer which is bigger and the parts are cheaper than the sitrex, plus the vicon has triangular discs with 3 blades which will provide a better and faster cut. If the vicon works out for me I may even trade in the kuhn on a second larger vicon.