35 replies to this topic

[PJB]

We would like to get a disc mower - three point mount. However, we don't have a cab tractor freed up when we need to mow hay and waterways. We have been nervous about it throwing up rocks and debris and hitting the operator. I noticed in Cliff Neubauer's pictures that they pull a discbine with an open station 5140. Does anyone else use an open station tractor and what kind of experience have you had with it throwing rocks and debris at the operator? Thanks for any information you can provide. (And yes, I know this would be an excellent excuse to get another cab tractor - it's just hard to convince my wife of that!) Paul

[ohio farmer]

Our mower is covered with a think, canvas that protects the operator from flying debris.
Without that, I would think you would be getting hit with all kinds of stuff.
They are really nice mowers.

[H-D]

Have run a disc mower for many years with an open tractor and you must have a good canvas on the mower because they will throw "stuff" . I will agree that a cab tractor would be best in the long run and would use the item of safety as a good reason to have a cab tractor on the mower.

[brewcrew]

I've never had a cab tractor to use on the discbine, just used an 806 open station. Never been hit by anything, ever. That being said, if you were doing, say, roadside ditches and scrub areas, you may hit more stuff and it would be a bigger issue. I've had rocks plink against the hood and the flap, but they do their job and stop things.

[Long Farms]

I"ve always run a 3pt mounted disc mower on an openstation tractor. It sucks if you hit a red ant bed but other than that the canvas keeps most deris from kicking up. I prefer to run a disc mower on an open frame so I can hear the mower run better and I like to hear the engine run. If it does become a pronlem and kicks up too much deris towrd the operator. I've seen numerous ways farmer/ranchers have made a screen to mount on the right fender. Ive also seen rocks bust out windows on a cab tractor too.

[Art From DeLeon]

Will I need a stone shield if I say that is a nice looking 3020?

[234-IA]

I bought a pull-type NH discbine last year and ran it with my 1256 (seen to the left) and lived to tell the tale. i pretty much know where the rocks are in the fields and tilted the head back a bit to keep from catching them. a cab would be preferable, though, and i agree that a good canvas is a must.

looks like a 4020 to me? nice looking tractor indeed

[Art From DeLeon]

I stand corrected (But I could have blamed former President Bush)

[56series]

I have ran a discbined for 4 years now with out any problems. I highly AGREE that a good canvas is a MUST. Plus if your canvas isn't any good, it will allow the air from the disc's to blow the hay over before it mows it! That sounds dumb but I have seen it in person, with the neighbors machine. And I have noticed when mowing a 4th, or 5th cutting if the stand isn't very tall, that it will not mow as nice too.

My 2 cents
Jason

[TroyDairy]

We mower for 20 years with a Vicon 8' mower/conditioned with our 684. We have rocky land and lot of moles to make sure the rocks stay above ground. Been hit 100s of times. A few bloody ones but no serious injuries. When we would cut the top rockier feilds we would where a sweatshirt with the hood up and just periphially glimpse back at the machine. After you get hit in the temple a few times you get smart about how much you show your face to that machine gun. The canvas was always kept in top conditon and replaced when holey. Still threw them buggers though. Now we have 2 Hesston center pivot m/cs and mow with cab tractors. I have 7' wide plexiglass rock shield mounted to the rear fender to cab mounts on both the MX170 and MC135 McC. Need new 'glass' for the shields about every 3 years. They work well and dont get in the way and are light enough you can one man them on and off.