Mowing gear for vintage compact tractor?

[BPip]

Hi all,

I wonder if any of you can recommend some smaller HP mowing machinery for my JD855, 24HP tractor with 19HP at the PTO

looking for recommendations on makes/models of balers, rake/tedders and drum mowers that may be suitable for a smaller tractor such as this - older used models to look out for on the second-hand market rather than brand new compact-specific pricier gear.

Have 3-4 acres to cut and bale, all near-flat land. Don't mind going slow with the baler but don't want to over-stress the tractor as it is itself a vintage model.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Exfarmer]

I dont think your tractor has the power to run any type of drum or disc mower ( others may disagree) it would certainly handle a cutterbar mower if you can find one in good order.
Again it would struggle with any sort of baler apart from the smaller round balers you find in parts of Europe.
It should comfortably handle most tedders, rakes etc designed to work up to 10 feet 3 metres wide

 

[BPip]

Thanks exfarmer - upon my researches this past year i’ve kinda concluded the same - the JD885 can handle a tedder/rake but the other machinery would be hard-going.

I’ve found new compact tractor gear from Europe as you mention, the prices are eye-watering!

May have to consider upgrading and adding a larger tractor to use the traditional machinery with. The secondhand market is healthy for the gear, so ultimately would be cheaper than buying new for the compact.

 

[deere 6600]

Triples fendt 924

 

[Turnip]

1. Finger bar mower
2. Haybob
3. Mini baler (think the Abbriata M50 requires 18hp on the PTO but not 100% sure)
Or just outsource the baling, but the mini bales make good returns with the horsey crowd. Would even be worth it running it stationary and converting hestons into smaller bales with it.

 

[renewablejohn]

On my 20 hp Jinma I used to run a Fransguard single drum mower, Hayzip tedder and Reco Mountainpress round baler and wrapper. 3-4 acres is about the maximum I would cut at a time to be certain to get it cut baled and led away in a 4 day weather window without killing myself.