Disc mower cutting hay. Disc mower cutting hay

New hay mowers on the market

Case IH, Claas, and New Holland have all expanded their hay tool lineups by launching new mowers for 2022.

Title: New Products Editor Resides In: Des Moines, Iowa Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Education: Iowa State University Expertise: Agriculture machinery Contact: alex.gray@agriculture.com Background Alex has been with Dotdash Meredith since 2021, starting in the imaging department where they worked on magazines across the company’s entire portfolio. They joined the Successful Farming team in December 2021 as the New Products Editor. As a newcomer to the field of agriculture, they have been devoted to learning everything there is to know about farm machinery. Alex grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University in 2020. While attending Iowa State, they joined the Iowa State Daily, a professional student-run news organization, working as an arts and entertainment writer, editor, and digital managing editor for the organization. EducationB.S. degree in public relations, minor in english creative writing

Hay producers, start your engines, because Case IH, Claas, and New Holland have all announced new mower lineups for 2022.

Each lineup from the three companies has a variety of models to fit small or large operations.

Case IH DC5 series disc mower conditioners

Case IH is now offering new size options for center-pivot DC5 series disc mower conditioners, designed for higher performance in a smaller build. Other changes to the mowers are designed for better crop flow, faster dry drown, and no-tool adjustments to the implement.

The DC105 disc mower conditioner is a new configuration from Case IH with a modular cutterbar that has a width of 10 feet 1 inch. The conditioning system is available in rubber or flail style. A smaller center pivot and overall size is designed for easier road and small-field navigation.

The DC125 has a longer swath gate, with adjustments made to fins and wedges to enhance cutting and windrowing over previous models, and has a cut width of 11 feet 7 inches. The DC135 model is replacing Case IH’s DC133 in the company’s mower lineup. This model has a cutterbar width of 13 feet 1 inch, with eight discs. Both of these models have the option of rubber, steel rolls, or flail conditioning.

READ MORE: CASE IH DEBUTS DRIVERLESS AUTONOMOUS SPREADER

The new DC165 is replacing the DC 163, as well, with an even larger cutterbar at 16 feet 5 inches and ten cutting discs. This model is offered with rubber or steel roll conditioning.

The new DC5 series disc mower conditioners are available to order now. For more information, visit CaseIH.com.

CLAAS DISCO 9300 TREND Mower

The new Disco 9300 mower from Claas has a large working width available in either 29 feet 2 inches or 29 feet 10 inches configurations. Despite the size, the Disco has a lower profile, with 150 PTO HP power requirement, and doesn’t require a monitor for operation.

The cutterbar is designed to be maintenance free, with a bolted, torsion-resistant build. Each cutterbar has eight contra-rotating mower discs, uniformly spaced for an even cutting pattern. The one-piece base plate is made of 5 mm thick steel and creates a dirt-removing tunnel effect in connection with the skids. The intermediate pieces are shaped differently for converging and diverging mower discs to enable an effective cut as a counter blade and for maximum overlap.

READ MORE: CLAAS ANNOUNCES NEW TRACTOR AND COMBINE FOR 2023

The protective curtains on the mower fold out wide for access to the cutterbar for maintenance, and the build is designed to prevent the turning and attachment points from rusting. The mower bar is equipped with a quick knife change system, with color-coded blades to make changing them out easier, and the replacement blade box is divided into three compartments to keep them sorted.

For more information on the Claas Disco 9300 Trend mower, visit claasofamerica.com.

New Holland Discbine PLUS series

With the introduction of the new Discbine Plus series, New Holland focused on enhancing cutting and swath controls for its center-pivot disc mower conditioners. All the models in this series use a newly redesigned cutterbar, similar to the one featured on New Holland’s Durabine Plus disc headers on the Speedrower Plus windrowers.

The cutterbar has longer knives for a faster tip speed, designed for improved cut quality. The models have a 30% lower cutting height than previous models, to leave less behind in down and tangled crops. Reshaped rock guards help with crop-to-knife engagement.

The Discbine Plus’ conditioning system is sized for each model for uniform conditioning and fast drydown across the entire series. Conditioning options include intermeshing rubber or steel rolls. A flail tine conditioning system is also available.

READ MORE: NEW HOLLAND’S WINDROWER HAS A NEW LOOK FOR 2022

The swath gate is 5 inches longer, with adjustable crop spreading wedges to break up crop streams. These also have adjustable crop fins to make windrows as 3- to 8-feet wide. The forming shields are also 5 inches taller than previous models and work with the swatch gate to make a tunnel effect designed for more windrow control and neater swaths.

The Discbine 310 Plus has a six-disc cutterbar with a cut width of 10 feet 1 inch. This model can be equipped with a 540- or 1,000- rpm drive, and requires as little as 80 HP to operate. The 312 Plus has a 11 feet 7 inches wide cut, with a 1,000 rpm drive. The 313 Plus has a wider cut than the 312 with an additional 1 foot 4 inches to its width. The 316 Plus has the widest cut in the series at 16 feet 5 inches.

For more information on the New Holland Discbine Plus series, visit agriculture.newholland.com.

For top quality hay, which offers the biggest benefits for producers?

Above photo: Years of research has demonstrated that a wide, even swath behind the mower produces the best conditions for quick dry down of a hay crop, which results in high nutritive value of the final forage.

Photo Courtesy of New holland

There may not be a consensus when it comes to the best type of mower to use in harvesting hay. But increasingly the one practice researchers agree on is wide swathing as the best way for producers to ensure the high nutritive value of their hay.

Sickle-Bar vs. Disc Mowers

While the hay industry has overwhelmingly moved away from the sickle-bar mower to faster disc mowers and mower-conditioners, research shows for top quality forage in the bale, the older technology was not far off the mark.

“The sickle-bar was the gold standard. It cut the forage, laid it on the ground and nothing else,” says Tom Kilcer, forage consultant and former long-time Cornell extension educator in Kinderhook, N.Y.

“I’m not saying we should go back to sickle-bar technology on all of our hay meadows, and I’m not against mower-conditioners where they are needed in certain forages, but dealers should keep that ‘gold standard’ in mind as they advise producers on whatever machinery they’re using to harvest hay.”

Research shows a wide, even swath of hay distributed over the entire width of the mower is the key to quick dry-down and maximum quality retention in harvested forages.

Forage researcher Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin, says growers should strive to have 70-80% of the cut area covered with the swath. “The wider the better,” he says. “Ideally, you want to drop 15-20% of the moisture in the hay as quickly as possible to retain the starches and sugars that would be lost to respiration.”

Undersander says by the time downed hay reaches 60% moisture, respiration has largely stopped, so the goal is to reach that level as soon as possible after harvest. “Many times hay is being harvested at 75% moisture, so rapidly reaching that 60% mark is quite feasible using a wide, even swath exposed to the sun.”

“Swath is the big thing,” Kilcer explains. “Studies show the width of the mower and the width of the swath coming out of the back of the mower is directly tied to dry-down.

“The biological reason for this is that more of the hay is exposed to sunlight which continues photosynthesis in the downed hay,” he explains. “Photosynthesis takes CO2 and water to make carbohydrates and release oxygen. The respiration process consumes water and the plant dries. It has nothing to do with machinery and everything to do with sunlight.”

The physics of the process is simple: The more sunlight hitting the swath, the higher the swath temperature. The higher the temperature, the greater the vapor deficit. “These are all things that speed the drying process,” says Kilcer.

“The sickle-bar was the gold standard. It cut the forage, laid it on the ground and nothing else…”

“Data loggers show significant differences in moisture content of wide vs. narrow swath rows. Whatever equipment a producer has must provide a wide, even swath,” he says.

Kilcer adds that the “wide swath” research results have been building for years, but only recently has it seemed to begin to get traction with growers and equipment manufacturers.

“It amazes me the number of folks who have not heard of this process, and some farm equipment companies are still in denial,” he says. “There are some companies, however, who are adjusting their equipment designs to accommodate more Rapid drying and that’s a positive thing.”

Newer Mower Designs

Kilcer adds that when disc mowers began replacing sickle-bar designs, many featured tilted knives and cone tops. “This design creates a whirlpool effect which ingests dirt and makes separate windrows instead of leaving a wide swath.”

Kilcer notes mower designs with flat knives tend to create more uniform swaths. He adds that some manufacturers are now moving away from installing drums on either end of the mower, which were designed to bring everything into a narrow swath.

To mow or condition hay is a question that continues to be asked across hay meadows nationwide. Research shows that the answer centers on the final product the producer is aiming for.

Photo courtesy of Vermeer

“Flat knives keep the cutter bar out of the dirt, resulting in much less ‘ash’ content in the feed,” he says. “Research shows it takes very little dirt in hay to significantly cut milk production in dairy cows.”

Kilcer and Understander both say cutting height is important to proper dry-down, and higher cutting heights tend to improve feed quality. The improvements come from lack of dirt in the hay, and increased air circulation (better drying conditions) under the wide swath as it exits the mower and falls on a supporting stand of stubble.

“With a cutter bar height at 3 inches for alfalfa, which is slightly higher than most producers are cutting, you lose some yield, but that’s low-quality yield,” says Undersander. “Also, you pick up less dirt.

“If you have cool season grasses, the recommendation is to cut at 3.5-4 inches, and in the south where there is perennial warm season forage, cuts at much shorter heights are acceptable as long as you stay out of the dirt,” he explains. A 6-inch cutting height is recommended for warm season annual grasses.

A Case for Conditioning

Undersander says mower-conditioners are not important for producers making haylage, but they can be crucial for other types of hay making.

“Conditioners largely do not affect leaves of hay crops, but aid in drying down of tough stems,” he says.

Shifting Economics

Sickle-bar mowers are still widely used in smaller hay operations, but the industry move to disc mowers over the past 20 years is being driven by a 20% decrease in labor with their use, compared with sharpening and maintaining a sickle-bar unit. This trend continues despite higher purchase per foot of swath and higher horsepower requirements needed for the disc mowers.

Generally, flail conditioners are reserved for grass crops and roller- conditioners are best for alfalfa. Flair conditioners scrape or tear the stems.Rollers, when properly adjusted, have little effect on leaves, but crimp the stems to allow dessication to begin.

Undersander says how the conditioner is adjusted is more important than what kind of conditioner is used.

“You want to adjust the severity of conditioning to break the stems to encourage drying. Anything more than this will result in leaf loss and excessive horsepower requirements.”

He suggests cutting around and looking at the swath. “Expect to see 5% leaf bruising (darkening of some leaves). If you see none, you are under conditioning. If you see more, you’re over conditioning,” he explains.

“Research suggests there’s little difference in the drying performance of steel vs. rubber rollers in conditioners,” he says. “Rubber is better if you have stony fields, but steel shows much more wear resistance.”

Disc mowers

Case IH disc mowers handle tough conditions while delivering clean cutting performance, maneuverability, durability, and overall value. HITCH Quick Hitch Compatability MD3 disc.

disc mower TD103

Working width: 3.16 m

The Case IH TD103 pull-type disc mower features a smooth ride, clean cut, superior trailing ability, low transport height, and easy tractor hookup. CUTTERBAR Superior Crop Flow The Case IH TD103.

disc mower DC series

Working width: 10’00, 11’00, 16’00, 13’00Power required: 80, 85, 90, 100 chSwath width: 6’00, 7’00, 10’00

CENTER-PIVOT MODELS DC133 AND DC163 Long-Lasting Durability The cutterbar on the DC3 series center pivot mower conditioners features a combination of larger disc diameters and wider conditioning systems.

disc mower NOVACAT CLASSIC series

Working width: 3.46, 2.62, 3.04 mPower required: 55, 60 chSwath width: 1.1 m. 2.6 m

highest standard, and this is assured by all our grassland equipment, beginning with our mowers. First class cut With our NOVADISC and NOVACAT disc mowers you set the basis for.

disc mower NOVACAT ALPHA MOTION series

Working width: 2.62, 3.46, 3.04 mPower required: 60, 80, 65, 55, 70 chSwath width: 1.1 m. 3 m

highest standard, and this is assured by all our grassland equipment, beginning with our mowers. First class cut With our NOVADISC and NOVACAT disc mowers you set the basis for.

disc mower NOVADISC series

Working width: 3.46, 2.62, 3.04, 2.2 mPower required: 40, 50, 60, 70 chSwath width: 0.9 m. 2.5 m

highest standard, and this is assured by all our grassland equipment, beginning with our mowers. First class cut With our NOVADISC and NOVACAT disc mowers you set the basis for.

disc mower R160

Working width: 1.6 mPower required: 30 chPTO speed: 540 rpm

Disc Mower.Easy-to-attach 3-point hitch tractor hookup.High-clearance frame and suspension.Disc quill easy to remove for serviceability Easy-to-attach 3-point hitch tractor.

disc mower 340 S ALP

Working width: 3.4 mPower required: 70 chSwath width: 1.4 m. 2.5 m

The rear-mounted DISC 340 S side mower guarantees quality mowing even on extremely steep terrain. Its’ lightweight and robust design ensures excellent adaptation to the terrain. The mower.

disc mower 220 F ALP

Working width: 2.16 mPower required: 40 chSwath width: 0.9 m. 1.1 m

front-mounted mowers with lightweight design and the centre of gravity as close to the tractor as possible ensure safe work and excellent visibility on steep terrain. The linkage of the mowers is adapted.

disc mower 260 F ALP

Working width: 2.57 mPower required: 50 chSwath width: 1.1 m. 1.6 m

The front mower SILVERCUT DISC 260 F ALP is perfect for working on steep terrain. The mower is lightweight, with a centre of gravity as close as possible to the tractor and mechanical.

disc mower CRASSULA CR.4

Working width: 1.65 m

The Crassula disc mower can be ordered in four models from the smallest 4-disc with a cutting width of 1.65 m. to the largest 7-disc with a 2.85 m cutting width. The.

disc mower CRASSULA CR.5

Working width: 2.1 m

The Crassula disc mower can be ordered in four models from the smallest 4-disc with a cutting width of 1.65 m. to the largest 7-disc with a 2.85 m cutting width. The.

disc mower CRASSULA CR.6

Working width: 2.45 m

The Crassula CR6 disc mower has a cutting width of 2,45 m. The advantage of this type of mower lies in its ease of use, its relative light weight combined with the excellent contour.

disc mower 5-6 Disc Mower with Conditioner

Working width: 2,650 mm

Technicial Specifications. 5 Disc. 6 Disc Length. 1530 mm. 1530 mm Width. 4050 mm. 4460 mm Height. 1170 mm. 1170 mm Working Width. 2250 mm. 2650 mm Working Capacity.

disc mower 5-6 Disc Mower Without Conditioner

Working width: 2,250 mm

Technicial Specifications. 5 Disc. 6 Disc Length. 1530 mm. 1530 mm Width. 4050 mm. 4460 mm Height. 1170 mm. 1170 mm Working Width. 2250 mm. 2650 mm Working Capacity.

disc mower Pulled type 6 disc mower

Working width: 2,650 mm

mm Length. 4900 mm Width. 3000 mm Height. 1700 mm Working Capacity. 15,2 ton / hr Number of Knives. 12 Number of Discs. 6 P.T.O 540 dev/min Disk turnover. 300 dev/min Tail shaft speed. 8-10 km weight.

disc mower TREX CP series

Working width: 290, 320 cmPower required: 90 chSwath width: 80 cm. 150 cm

The trailed disc mowers are extremely professional machines designed to ensure high productivity and long life. It is available the version with side drawbar TREX, and with central and pivoting drawbar.

disc mower DMC TREX series

Working width: 245, 290 cmPower required: 90, 80 chSwath width: 65 cm. 130 cm

A side drawbar is the main feature characterizing our pull-type Disc Mowers with Conditioner series DMC-TREX 290 – 320. The drawbar can be hydraulically shift.ed and the block valve ensures a secure locking.

disc mower DMC ROLL series

Working width: 205, 245 cmPower required: 80 ch. 100 chSwath width: 75 cm. 145 cm

Rear-mounted disc mower equipped with hydraulic lift, automatic safety release to protect the bar from any obstacles, over running cardan shaft, protection cover and swath disc. High.

disc mower BE400

Working width: 50 cm

disc mower KE series

Working width: 1,600, 2,000, 2,400, 2,800, 3,100 mmPower required: 30, 35, 45, 50, 55 chPTO speed: 540 rpm

Proven Designed Cutter Bar Long Lasting Knives Lowe Running Cost Clean Forage Cut Kayhan Ertuğrul Mak. San. ve Tic. A.Ş, reserves the right to modify the technical characteristics and specification of its products without prior notice.

disc mower NM 3200 F

Working width: 3.2 mPower required: 60 kW. 90 kWSwath width: 1.2 m. 1.8 m

Finally, a front mower conditioner with all the benefits of a trailed mower conditioner! The ELHO NM 3200 F front mower conditioner offers power, good handling, HydroBalance suspension.

disc mower NM 3700 F

Working width: 3.7 mPower required: 70 kW. 100 kWSwath width: 1.2 m. 1.8 m

World’s widest front mower conditioner The ELHO NM 3700 F is the world’s widest single-beam front mower conditioner. With a cutting width of 3.7 metres, this model is extremely productive. The conditioner.

disc mower NM 2400 VC

Working width: 2.4 mPower required: 50 kW. 80 kWSwath width: 0.6 m. 1.4 m

Impressive flow through the unit with high driving speeds plus fast drying results! The ELHO NM 2400 VC (vertical centre) mower conditioner has all the important ELHO features built in! The centre-suspended cutting.

disc mower FSD550

Working width: 0.45 mPower required: 15 kW. 75 kWPTO speed: 2,000 rpm

Reservoir is not in need. This compact mower makes it best to be cost-effective with high efficiency. With the hydraulic cylinder controlled from the tractor’s hydraulics, Hydraulic Reservoir is not in need. This compact.

disc mower HFM120

Working width: 1.2 mPower required: 18 kW. 37 kWPTO speed: 2,000 rpm

HFM120 loader mower is a natural extension of our cutter line. These brush cutters use a 3 blade system with hydraulic motors and could cut even in difficult conditions. Can suit skid steer and wheel loaders Solid.

disc mower KM-300L

Working width: 3 m

Keltec has designed the KM-300L mower series with productivity and grass quality in mind for agricultural and contractor users. The KM-300L mower series is available in three build configurations – plain.

disc mower KM SERIES

Working width: 3 m

driver at all times. Key to the ability of the mower to swing in either direction is a redesign of the mounting linkage to allow lateral movement between the tractor and mower. The hydraulically cushioned.

disc mower KM-600B

Working width: 9 m

The Keltec KM-600B butterfly mower-conditioner is the ideal solution for high capacity grass mowing and harvesting, when used in conjunction with a front mounted mower. The KM-600B butterfly mower.

disc mower KD 3025 SPRINT

Working width: 3 mPower required: 82 chPTO speed: 540, 2,750 rpm

SIPMA KD 3025 SPRINT rear-hitched disc mower with central suspension guarantee perfect ground copying and equal cutting height across the entire width of the cutterbar. SIPMA disc.

disc mower KD 2510 KOS, KD 2910 KOS

Working width: 2.85, 2.4 mPower required: 61, 88 chPTO speed: 540 rpm

SIPMA KD 2510 KOS and SPIMA KD 2910 KOS are rear-hitched disc mowers with side-suspension. They are modern, lightweight and simple design machines. SIPMA disc mowers.

disc mower Rotex XT series

Working width: 2.85, 2.05, 2.45, 1.65 mPower required: 20, 25, 30, 35 kWPTO speed: 540 rpm

Rotex XT take their origin from the renowned TSB and are the new rear disc mowers by BCS. The machines have a new look and their structure was reinforced to face always more and more demanding work conditions.

disc mower Rotex XR series

Working width: 2.05, 2.45, 2.85 mPower required: 40, 50, 55 kWPTO speed: 540 rpm

Rotex XR take their origin from the renowned Rotex R and are the new mower-conditioners with rear discs produced by BCS, combining disc mower cutting quality and allow.

disc mower Rotex Avant NT series

Working width: 2.05, 2.45, 2.85 mPower required: 30, 35, 40 kWSwath width: 850 mm. 1,500 mm

light-weight load-bearing frame drastically reduces the overhand of the mower with respect to the tractor, optimising weight distribution and making the use in combination with rear-mounted mowers more.

disc mower F.DM series

Working width: 1,600, 2,000, 2,400, 2,800 mm

disc mower MRM;MRB Series

Working width: 500 mm. 1,150 mm

Blade Lawnmower mod. MRM and MRB is the perfect solution for cutting heave grass, orchard, vineyards thank to possibility to regulate the high of cutting. We can apply the attachment to every motorcultivator from 5 to 20 HP. The high.

disc mower MFM;MFB Series

Disc Mowers mod. MFM with one Disc and the mod. MFB with two disc are perfect for Professional Grass cutting Working condition like garden, park, and even for more difficult.

disc mower RotKos 1 series

Working width: 1,350, 1,650 mmPower required: 18, 22 kWWeight: 350, 390 kg

Side tractor mowers with three point connection are presenting the standard equipment for mowing that are particularly suitable for smaller and medium size farms.All the models are with two drums driven by a pair of gears. Our.

disc mower SZA series

Working width: 50, 60, 85 cm

around trees, posts and other obstacles. The SZA models are attachment models and can easily be mounted onto a rotary mower or flail mower. The SZA can also be attached to a mini shovel; a special.

disc mower SZF/SZL series

Working width: 60 cm

pressure to adapt to different conditions. The offset can be adjusted from the tractor with the parallelogram system; the blade disc automatically drops down when the machine is put offset. Oscillating support wheels.

disc mower SZX-850

Working width: 85 cm

front linkage; a version for behind the tractor is also available. The SZX is equipped with a 85 cm (33.5’’) wide blade disc as standard. The swinging arm, equipped with swing-away blades, has an adjustable cutting.

disc mower Slicer series

Working width: 2.5 m. 9.6 mPower required: 28 kW. 168 kWSwath width: 1.4 m. 3.3 m

Perfection to the last blade. Fendt Slicer disc mowers. Perfect forage can only be harvested by perfect machines. Fendt Slicer disc mowers give you a perfect, consistent.

rear-mount mower DuraDisc™, DiscCutter™ series

Working width: 2.77, 3.86, 2.37, 3.11, 3.52 mPower required: 48 ch. 95 chSwath width: 1.2 m. 3.3 m

The New Holland range of rear mounted disc mowers is available in two variants. The DuraDisc™ Non-conditioner mower and the DiscCutter™ mower conditioner, meaning operators.

disc mower GMD 1021 F COMPACT

Working width: 2.7, 3.14 mPower required: 43, 32 chSwath width: 1.5, 1.3 m

Their compactness and light weight design makes them perfectly suited to working on steep sloping terrian. Compact front mowers are moving upmarket with the GMD 1021 F range. KUHN offer two working widths with the.

disc mower DEBORA

Working width: 1.6, 2, 2.4 mPower required: 30, 45, 20 chSwath width: 1.1 m. 1.7 m

MASCHIO GASPARDO disc mowers guarantee a high flow of forage with a low power requirement. Designed to meet the needs of smaller farms, DEBORA is reliable, durable and has a precise cut. Available with.

disc mower R2 Series

Working width: 4.94 mPower required: 231 chWeight: 2,154 kg

The all-new MacDon R2 Rotary Disc Header and M1 Series Windrowers deliver a Knock-Out performance in a wide variety of crops and conditions. THE EVENFLOW™ ADVANTAGE A CLEAN SHAVE Low-profile forward mounted cutting.

disc mower GXF P series

Working width: 315, 355 cmPower required: 82, 95 ch

JF cutterbar, strong and reliable with integrated stone guard. Quick change knife standard, reduced service time. Contour Float, perfect ground following and optimal cutterbar protection. Can be used with reverse-drive tractors.

disc mower RAMOS 8612 TL-8612 TL-RC

Working width: 8,300, 8,600, 9,300 mmPower required: 140, 150, 81, 96 kWPTO speed: 1,000 rpm

machine.Low-drag mower with cutter bar suspension system for mowing that minimises impact on the crop.Weight-optimised design and efficient drive concept for fuel saving ECO-Mode with 850 rpm The new low-drag RAMOS.

reach your clients in one place, all year round

Your suggestions for improvement:

Filters: find the right products faster. Terminology: use the most common industry terms. Brands: a wider selection. Products: to improve the relevance of the collection. Other

Receive updates on this section every two weeks.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for details on how AgriExpo processes your personal data.

With AgriExpo you can: Find a nearby distributor or reseller| Contact the manufacturer to get a quote or a price | Examine product characteristics and technical specifications for major brands | View PDF catalogues and other online documentation

are pre-tax. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. are indicative only and may vary by country, with changes to the cost of raw materials and exchange rates.

Mechanics Corner: Hay mower selection and adjustments

Using a disc mower or disc mower conditioner will vary primarily based on what region of the U.S. you are located in, what type of crop you are harvesting and how you are planning to harvest it (i.e., haylage, baleage, dry hay).

Disc mower

The two primary reasons for using a disc mower are:

A conditioning system isn’t needed to dry the crop down.

You are trying to make hay-in-a-day (high-moisture harvesting).

A disc mower is simply a cutterbar that cuts the crop and leaves it in a swath of about 75 to 90 percent of the cut width. The disc mower is typically used in the central and southern U.S. where tough grasses are the main hay crop and operators choose not to condition their crop due to the climate.

How do I get my company listed in your Buyers Guide? Submit a request to be listed for FREE in the Buyers Guide here.

Why can I only see so many articles before I have to register for the site? Find out why here.

How do I submit an idea for an article? Click here.

What Type of Hay Mower is Best For Hay?

The type of mower you use on your hay field will depend on what you’re trying to achieve. Disc mowers, Sickle bar mowers, Rough-cut mowers, and Hybrids all offer advantages and disadvantages for different types of hay. Read on to learn more. For a better understanding of your hay-mowing needs, read our hay-mowing tips.

Disc mowers

Disc mowers are a logical progression from the sickle-bar design. Disc mowers use blades mounted on small disks that rotate at high speeds. These discs are attached to a cutter bar that slides along the ground. The bar controls the height of the cutting discs. Disc mowers are excellent for cutting thick hay. However, they can cut grass, weeds, and other vegetation with little effort.

Disc mowers are the most common type of hay-cutting equipment. These machines have a high cutting capacity and are built to work in uneven terrain and with uneven ground. Unlike disc mowers, drum mowers don’t require hydraulics in tractors. They can also be manually transported. Disc mowers are the most robust hay-mowing machine on the market. These machines are great for contract cutting in uncharted fields, mowing unruly pastures, and more.

Sickle bar mowers

A sickle bar mower is the lightest of all hay mowers, and they require very little horsepower. However, if you are using a smaller tractor, you may consider a drum mower or an old compact utility tractor. Regardless of what type of tractor you have, you will probably be more comfortable with a sickle bar mower. Sickle bar mowers are the most common type of hay mower, but you might be surprised by how much difference they make in cutting hay.

Those with small hay operations may benefit from a sickle bar mower. Their individually-cut teeth produce a cleaner cut than drum or disc mowers. And because they can be adjusted to follow the contour of the ground, they can be used to cut hay unevenly. The best feature of a sickle bar mower is that it can operate at higher or lower angles without compromising cutting efficiency. Another advantage is that it can cut both grass and weeds.

Hybrid mowers

If you’re in the market for a new mower, hybrids are a great option for hay. This type of mower cuts hay in several ways, with little difference in drying time or dry matter loss. The primary difference is in mowing height and frequency. Hybrids, on the other hand, have the highest mowing capacity. They also require less fuel and labor. Overall, hay mowers are comparable in price and performance.

Rough-cut mowers

The difference between rough-cut and straight-cut mowers lies in the amount of acreage they can mow. Rough-cut mowers cut through more hay than straight-cut mowers. They attach to full-sized or compact tractors and can handle overgrown pastures and fields. Rough-cut mowers are also better suited for mowing hay fields.

Rough-cut mowers are very powerful machines, capable of cutting through thick brush and small woody shrubs. A Swisher 44-inch Rough Cut Mower is a perfect example of this. It features a heavy-duty BriggsStratton engine, two swinging blades, and thick, 16-inch pneumatic wheels. over, it also has an adjustable cutting height and steel bumpers for better durability.

Reel mowers

Reel mowers are great for small to medium lawns. They are effective for cutting a wide range of grass heights, and the blades can be adjusted for an uneven cut. While seven-blade reel mowers are ideal for medium-sized lawns, smaller mowers can handle smaller yards. Many reel mowers also have adjustable blade heights, which is useful for lawns with obstacles or awkward shapes.

Another great advantage of a reel mower is that it is quiet and requires no fuel. Reel mowers are also eco-friendly because they require no oil or fuel, and they are completely silent when running. Reel mowers are great for cutting hay and other grass because they won’t disturb neighbors. Just be sure to mow on time for best results. In addition, a reel mower is quiet, so you can use it at any time of day.

To cut hay and other tall grass, self-propelled mowers are the most effective options. These mowers don’t throw anything when they come into contact with grass and other objects, which prevents projectiles from becoming dangerous. They also come with wash-out ports so that the blade and underside of the deck can be cleaned regularly. The larger the tires, the better, and they usually feature high-quality zag treading to ensure good traction on slopes.

Self-propelled lawn mowers are great for sloped or uneven patches of grass. Their automatic mowing feature reduces the need for pushing and results in a cleaner look. These mowers also incorporate new features that make them easier to use. But the main deciding factor is power. Manual push mowers are difficult to use, especially on small lawns. You should consider the size of your lawn and terrain before making a decision on a self-propelled mower.