Mower conditioner advice

[ollandroverman]

I am on the hunt for a mower conditioner for next season and am after advice or experiance on several models before i start driving all over the country to look at them. I think i would prefer a trailed mower at the 9 to 10 foot size,
i need them to be able to spread the grass out wide,
parts must be available,
and at the moment i have my eyes on the following examples

Taarup kverneland 338 trailed mower

Taarup 3132 mounted

JF gms 3200 trailed mower.

Are the above mowers any good?

Thanks in advance.
Oliver

 

[Dave W]

I think the 2 tarrups have the same bed?? I know my way around the 338. Biggest problem with them is that the top of the trough (bed) was prone to cracking around around the first disc under the gearbox end. Not a massive problem as they are easily welded if you catch it in time. Very easy bed to work on, can have it completely stripped in an hour.

 

[Boohoo]

I liked the Taarup 3132 I had in combination with a 3532F until it started losing conditioner tines, the lugs on the rotor were only welded on one side. Never used a Taarup 338 but it's replacement the 4032 is without doubt the best mower I have ever used. Newer Taarup/Kverneland mowers don't seem to be built as well as the 40 series trailed and 30 series mounted mowers.

 

[grumpy]

@Martin Holden

 

[ollandroverman]

Are the Taarup/ kvernelands fitted with a Kuhn bed like i remember the old tarrup 306/307 having?
For that matter are the Jf's of that age fitted with a Kuhn bed?

 

[Alf]

I think ( but could be wrong) the JF uses a kuhn bed . I know I had a mounted one last year with a kuhn bed in it

 

[Dave W]

Think they stopped with Kuhn after the 306/7 which was a pity

 

[The_Swede]

We have a 338, rock solid machine. Winter project is to fit a swivel headstock onto it (we have come by a good used one).

Bit of a beast to take up the road.

We sometimes take the swath boards off in very light crops, conditioned and spread full width like that often saves a pass or two with the tedder.

 

[Martin Holden]

If you mean GMS 3200, it did use the Kuhn cutter bar gearbox. You need to check if it had Top Dry widespread built into it.

 

[ollandroverman]

@Martin Holden
The JF gms nearest (not cms as I miss-spelt above, ill go back and correct it) and there for the one a will view first, is a Top Safe, which I assume is a protection system. How can I ascertain if it is Top Dry?
Can a non -Top Dry model spread wide (or widish)?

 

[Martin Holden]

@Martin Holden
The JF gms nearest (not cms as I miss-spelt above, ill go back and correct it) and there for the one a will view first, is a Top Safe, which I assume is a protection system. How can I ascertain if it is Top Dry?
Can a non -Top Dry model spread wide (or widish)?

Yup! It is what Top Dry means

 

[ollandroverman]

@Martin Holden
I am sorry. I am not explaining my self very well.
If it is not a Top Dry model, will it still be able to spread quite wide?

 

[Thick Farmer]

I've got two Claas 3100N trailed drum mower conditioners here.

Easy to work on and don't miss a blade of grass. £3500 for the pair.

 

[Martin Holden]

@Martin Holden
I am sorry. I am not explaining my self very well.
If it is not a Top Dry model, will it still be able to spread quite wide?

Yes, all you need to do is to open the swath doors wide open and you'll achieve a wide spread. We used to do this before the built in system was created.

 

[smcapstick]

A pal has a 337. It's a wonderful machine. I recommend a Kidd Clipper, though - good to use and an appreciating classic!

 

[Dave W]

A pal has a 337. It's a wonderful machine. I recommend a Kidd Clipper, though - good to use and an appreciating classic!

Do you know where anyone might find such a quality machine?

 

[dazza b]

Do you know where anyone might find such a quality machine?

A firm called northen plant should be able to assist you

 

[Dave W]

A firm called northen plant should be able to assist you

Are they very genuine and would the mower be straight off farm?

 

[smcapstick]

More genuine than genuine itself. Now, THAT'S genuine!

 

[benferg]

What's the difference in price between a trailed moco and mounted in the uk?