New here, just picked up an L4802HST to use around my property. I've got about 5 acres of hay fields, that traditionally we've had the neighbors bale in some form, either squares or round bales. Thinking about doing it myself, and wondered about picking up a small drum mower to run on my L4802. Should have the power to run it just fine I feel, wondered if anyone has any opinion on running one?
Drum mower experience?
- Thread starter KSCessnaDriver
- Start date
I'm in largely the same boat. I've had a neighbor cut my hay for me, but I've been doing the tedding and baling. This year the neighbor is bowing out so I'm looking for a hay mower that my L3901 can run.
I guess my choices are: sickle, drum, disc ?
It seems like drum is the simplest, most reliable and fixable? That's important for me, I live hours from my Kubota dealer.
So I'm wondering if anyone has experience with these smaller drum mowers? reliable brands, not so reliable brands?
I guess my choices are: sickle, drum, disc ?
It seems like drum is the simplest, most reliable and fixable? That's important for me, I live hours from my Kubota dealer.
So I'm wondering if anyone has experience with these smaller drum mowers? reliable brands, not so reliable brands?
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I'm not opposed to a sickle mower, but the problem is, most of the ones you see, especially used, are beat to death. And then if you price a new sickle mower, most of the drum mowers are cheaper. And obviously, even a used disc mower is way more money.
Have you been baling with the 3901? What kind of baler?
Have you been baling with the 3901? What kind of baler?
I've heard the sickle mowers are hard to fix, but i have no direct experience.
Yes, I've been using a mini-round baler for several years now. Mine is a Farm-Maxx and I've had zero issues with it, once I figured how to assemble it
The only downside for me is that it's harder to feed a half of a round bale than it is to feed from a half of a 60-100 pound square bale.
Why not a simple rough-cut rotary (bush hog type) cutter?
Less expensive and more durable.
Ibex is an Italian company that has a very good reputation for flails, mowers etc. Kuhn is well regarded too. I've never used or owned a drum mower or a disc mower, just an Italian made flail mower.
Hay Mowers | Tractor Tools Direct | Small-Farm Haying Independence
Mow hay with a compact tractor! Ibex Drum Mowers are heavy-duty tractor attachments designed for small-farm haying. Hay mowers that cut hay fast!
tractortoolsdirect.com
Mower Conditioners
KUHN is not only the leading innovator of disc mowers, but also pioneered the disc mower conditioner. Whether you are cutting and conditioning grass or alfalfa, KUHN offers many models to meet your cutting and conditioning needs. Since the introduction of the FingerComb conditioning system 25...
Yeah, Ibex is on my list. Hadn't heard of Kuhn, thanks. Do you have any opinions about Titan Attachments?Ibex is an Italian company that has a very good reputation for flails, mowers etc. Kuhn is well regarded too. I've never used or owned a drum mower or a disc mower, just an Italian made flail mower.
Hay Mowers | Tractor Tools Direct | Small-Farm Haying Independence
Mow hay with a compact tractor! Ibex Drum Mowers are heavy-duty tractor attachments designed for small-farm haying. Hay mowers that cut hay fast!
Mower Conditioners
KUHN is not only the leading innovator of disc mowers, but also pioneered the disc mower conditioner. Whether you are cutting and conditioning grass or alfalfa, KUHN offers many models to meet your cutting and conditioning needs. Since the introduction of the FingerComb conditioning system 25...www.kuhn-usa.com
I've never purchased from Titan Attachments but they're basically a Chinese company. Titan Implements became IronCraft in order to eliminate any association with Titan Attachments. IronCraft makes good implements though.
Messick's would be a good resource for both new and used equipment. Kubota has three "small" disc mowers for tractors that have at least 35hp to 46hp at the pto. The DM1022 is in stock at Messick's!
Available Working Widths:
- DM1017 – 5’6”
- DM1022 – 7’2”
- DM1024 – 7’9”
I've got a Titan Attachments flail. It runs ok, it's nothing special, but I've had it for years. I don't particularly like their drum mower design, as it appears to use a gearbox at the back of the hitch, to turn the power down a shaft to the mower. All the other designs seem to use belts to run the power out to the mower drums. I've been considering the Farm-Maxx (FDM-165), which I believe is made in Poland. Or Tar River, not sure where theirs are made, but they appear to be the same designs.I've never purchased from Titan Attachments but they're basically a Chinese company. Titan Implements became IronCraft in order to eliminate any association with Titan Attachments. IronCraft makes good implements though.
Messick's would be a good resource for both new and used equipment. Kubota has three "small" disc mowers for tractors that have at least 35hp to 46hp at the pto. The DM1022 is in stock at Messick's!
Available Working Widths:
- DM1017 – 5’6”
- DM1022 – 7’2”
- DM1024 – 7’9”
While the Kubota disc mowers are neat, I can't justify that kind of money, on what amounts to 6 acres of hobby hay.
Man, you really got me thinking, thanks
I have an ancient, Agriease tedder. I occasionally worry that it doesn't seem to have a breakaway pin or slip clutch. I've wondered about having a universal breakaway device attached directly to the tractor's PTO shaft so that every attachment would have some breakaway capability.
But back to your point. My tedder appears to use gears to get from the end of the PTO shaft to the far wheel.
It sounds like you think a belt would be better? I've never thought about it, can you say more?
I like the idea of the power being transferred out the arm on belts, as opposed to a shaft. Mostly because, should you hit something (which hopefully you don't) hard, that stops the spinning, the belts should, in theory, slip, and not send that shock all the way up the driveline.Man, you really got me thinking, thanks
I have an ancient, Agriease tedder. I occasionally worry that it doesn't seem to have a breakaway pin or slip clutch. I've wondered about having a universal breakaway device attached directly to the tractor's PTO shaft so that every attachment would have some breakaway capability.
But back to your point. My tedder appears to use gears to get from the end of the PTO shaft to the far wheel.
It sounds like you think a belt would be better? I've never thought about it, can you say more?
That's one of the reasons I like my flail mower, power comes into the flail, and is transferred down to the shaft with the knives, by belts.