question for CCI

Jabs · Jun 24, 2004

Im thinking about starting to mow my own hay, about 15 acres(hobby). I ve got a Mccormick cx70 about 65 pto. what is the difference in disc and drum mowers?
seems to be good difference in cost. terrain is mountain here(polk co. TN)

HayDR · Jun 24, 2004

A drum mower and disc mower mow in the same manner. They both use a small blade traveling 150-200 mph to shear cut hay. The drum mower has fewer parts and was invented first before the disc mower. The shaft drive of a CCM drum mower are up away from the ground giving it great durability. Disc mowers are usually used when a cut of greater than 6' is desired. In your situation you have the HP for even a 10.5' mower. The drum mower is great for the small farmer because it cost 40-60% less than a disc mower but gives the small farmer all the technology of a disc mower. The CCM drum mowers are designed for the person that has smaller acreage in mind but we have many customers that mow 100+ acres with them yearly. We actually have one of our customers that has a 165 drum mower that is 22 years old and it mowed over 100 acres a year for all that time and is still running.

Jabs · Jun 25, 2004

How rough a field will they cut? My pastures have not been well kept. The original owner sold to a guy from out of town and he let them go, lots of weeds(nothing woody though). Ive bushhogged it a few times over the past 2 years.

How much for used, small round balers or used squares? nothing fancy, got any on lot now?

Also, you guys got any hay demo days coming up? I like driving to your area, spent a month in newport a few years ago.

HayDR · Jun 25, 2004

To Bush hog a pasture is usually best because pastures are often not your best ground. Many farmers do harvest their pastures for hay if they heavily fertilize them. In this case it is best to harvest the best areas and bush hog the poorer areas. If any drum or disc mower blade hits a solid rock moving at 100-200 mph something has to give at impact.
The drum mower by design is more durable than any MFG's disc mower. Both a disc and drum mower should be kept out of the rock piles. Bush hog and clip around the rocks with an old single action sicklebar mower, IE:Ford 501, NH451, etc.

We just had a demo last week at the Southeastern Expo. We will have a hay demo on July 15 in Asheville, NC at the NC State Experiment Station.

Jabs · Jun 28, 2004

Are you sure its not July 14? I just looked up the Mountain Research station in Waynsville NC. Schedule says Hay expo is on the 14th.

Mountain research station

HayDR · Jun 28, 2004

Yes you are correct it is July 14.
Mountain Research Station

Woodbeef · Jun 29, 2004

Hey Dr Punjab,

Where ya been hiding???? The guys were wondering about you........

Phred · Jul 5, 2004

I have a similar tractor and you can easily run a 9' disc mower with that machine. I would get the biggest you can aford and safely run since it will not cost much more and it will save a lot of time.

Rough ground is ok if you go slow. Rocks are not ok. They will damage your mower and baller.
I walk the place in early spring or winter with a 5 gallon bucket looking for rocks.
They appear to grow almost as well as hay around here /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.

Fred

Jabs · Jul 6, 2004

Hey Beef,
Sorry no chat for so long, been pretty busy. Too busy. Actually going to take a day off next week and head up to Waynesville, looks like its going to be a good daylong session.
Mccormick Hasnt seen 10 hours in past 3 months. I took it to dads place to use, my brother in law started it up and got stung by a few wasps who had nested in the engine bay.

The wasps all croaked /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

CCI will look for you in Waynesville.

Woodbeef · Jul 6, 2004

Hey Doc,

Kinda figured you were busy down your way. Stop by when ever you get a chance.

Better watch it though or the society for the prevention of cruelty to stinging insects will be after you guys!!!....hmmm wonder if they have a Polk County Chapter???