rear mounted disc mower/conditioners

[jimg]

As a comparison here are some shots of mine last year on the Montana and on the MF 5455.

BTW Darin and CHH thanx for the pictures. Im not that familiar w/ Montana, whats the HP/weight of that machine?

 

[chh]

The Montana is a T7074 model. Listed at 70 engine hp, 60 pto hp and 6,660 lb weight without the loader(which I generally have off when mowing). I have the rears loaded and all four tires set out wider for better stability.

E Tn? Krone North America is based out of Memphis.

 

[jimg]

Then its very similar in spec to my TN75.

Supposedly the local JD dealer handles their line but I've never seen a piece of their equipment on the lot. Mostly they stock JD, Frontier and Kuhn. Ill give them a shout and see what the deal is.

 

[ddivinia]

Im in E TN. Thanx for the pics. Do you know how long the cutter is?

I believe it is a 10'6" model like the one I have.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Then its very similar in spec to my TN75.

Supposedly the local JD dealer handles their line but I've never seen a piece of their equipment on the lot. Mostly they stock JD, Frontier and Kuhn. Ill give them a shout and see what the deal is.

The Montana tractors seem like a very nice tractor. I have not heard of any issues.

D.

 

[jimg]

I believe it is a 10'6" model like the one I have.

D.

So that would be the AM283? Ever see an AM243CV in action? Looks like the 203 or 243 are in my size range.

 

[chh]

Then its very similar in spec to my TN75.

I thought the specs were pretty close. You should be able to handle a 9' mower and a 4x5 round baler with that tractor, about any of the more common brands anyway. Personally I would not try to step up larger than that. That mower on the Montana is plenty. I can run at a higher field speed (1 gear)with the MF 5455 because of the excess hp and get the same quality cut.
Last year when I was shopping for mowers, I priced Kuhns and then went down the road 10 miles and priced JD's(green painted Kuhn mowers). The JD's were somewhere over $500 higher.

 

[ddivinia]

So that would be the AM283? Ever see an AM243CV in action? Looks like the 203 or 243 are in my size range.

No, the AM323 is 10'6"

The 283 is 9'2"

Why not a larger unit? 6' or 7' - why not go 9'?

How much hay are you cutting? Time is worth something.

You might want to look on machinefinder.com and see what is near you to go check out.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

I thought the specs were pretty close. You should be able to handle a 9' mower and a 4x5 round baler with that tractor, about any of the more common brands anyway. Personally I would not try to step up larger than that. That mower on the Montana is plenty. I can run at a higher field speed (1 gear)with the MF 5455 because of the excess hp and get the same quality cut.
Last year when I was shopping for mowers, I priced Kuhns and then went down the road 10 miles and priced JD's(green painted Kuhn mowers). The JD's were somewhere over $500 higher.

I run a 4 * 6 baler but don't run it to a full 6' bale.

D.

 

[jimg]

OK, when you said 10' I thought it was right at that.

Im looking for smaller b/c of some pasture areas I want to keep mowed (for maintenance and hay) are close quarters. Also I dont have much to mow right now...21ac. So, w/ the added speed I can finish that off right quick + tedder it all in the same day...easily. Then theres cost...I need to manage that carefully. I figure when I convert more woods into fields I can upgrade.

 

[chh]

You might check out Tractorhouse and fastline to help locate a mower. Around here about the only way to get a mower smaller than 9' in a major brand name is to have a dealer special order it. There is one of the smaller companies I think that has a mower that is 8'. I would expect that you will find that most of the ones you find used will be the 9' or the 10'6" size though. When you start looking look at a new mower and turn the first rotor with your foot and watch how quick the last rotor starts turning. Then do the same with the used ones you look at. One that is badly worn will have a lot of slack. Watching the driveline doing the same thing might help you spot gearbox troubles.

 

[slowzuki]

What to look for when buying a second-hand mower conditioner

 

[jimg]

chh: I guess our markets are pretty diff. My dealer has a couple 7' models on his lots and I dont recall anything much bigger. I think you have more open space than we do.

BTW I have been keeping an eye on tractorhouse. Never heard of fastline and will give that a look too.

Thanx for the tips and article on buying used!

 

[ddivinia]

chh: I guess our markets are pretty diff. My dealer has a couple 7' models on his lots and I dont recall anything much bigger. I think you have more open space than we do.

BTW I have been keeping an eye on tractorhouse. Never heard of fastline and will give that a look too.

Thanx for the tips and article on buying used!

Fastline is good - check out machinefinder.com They have a whole lot of inventory.

D.

 

[jimg]

My neighbor let me borrow his disc mower and I went at it last night. As for the cutting all I can say is WOW!!! I did most of my acres in just a few hrs, most having an extra heavy stand. It would have taken days w/ my haybine. Ill be interested to see how well it dries down now. If that works well its probably time to trade in the haybine for a disc mower. Its literally like night and day in how they perform. I think I could have mowed in road range (but didn't).

 

[ddivinia]

My neighbor let me borrow his disc mower and I went at it last night. As for the cutting all I can say is WOW!!! I did most of my acres in just a few hrs, most having an extra heavy stand. It would have taken days w/ my haybine. Ill be interested to see how well it dries down now. If that works well its probably time to trade in the haybine for a disc mower. Its literally like night and day in how they perform. I think I could have mowed in road range (but didn't).

It is amazing how fast you can go with a disc mower. The speed limit is can you stay in the seat of the tractor.


D.

 

[jimg]

Honestly, its hard to get a feel for how diff disc and sickle are in regard to speed and usability. Its literally like night & day.

I did manage a plug which brought my TN to its knees momentarily. My haybine wouldn't have done that as belts slip first. Mind you I'm NOT complaining.

I still want to see how dry down goes before I start looking for a disc mower.

 

[AKfish]

This is a great thread; guys! Very informative.. appreciate all your experience - and pics.

Question regarding the caddy - no toplink connection - how do you adjust the cutter bar angle and the height of the cut??

Thanks.

AKfish

 

[ddivinia]

This is a great thread; guys! Very informative.. appreciate all your experience - and pics.

Question regarding the caddy - no toplink connection - how do you adjust the cutter bar angle and the height of the cut??

Thanks.

AKfish

Caddy has a top link extension that attaches to the mower. Check out the pics I posted.


D.

 

[AKfish]

I looked... didn't see it - I'll stare at it some more and hopefully it'll be clearer....

Thanks.

AKfish