Disc Mower HP Requirement

I am looking at a 12' Massey 1372 pull type hydro swing (if they are called that) disc mower conditioner. I have a JD 6105D tractor that is probably around 95 or so PTO horsepower. Does anyone have any experience with these type mowers, and the hp required to use them? I will be using it mostly in Brome, but some Prairie Hay. The Brome will be fairly rank so I'm sure it will take some juice. Let me know your thoughts.

All I have had are self propelled. I have a JD 3430 now that I know I will kick myself for trading off, but when it gets in the heavy brome it just won't handle it. I've tried all I know including all new drive belts, new facings on the reel drive slip clutch, new guards and sections, you name it. Just ready to go with a disc machine and not have to worry. Thanks - Bob

We run a JD 9 ft disc with an impellor conditioner with a JD4240. In heavy grass and any kind of hill, it's about all you want. On flat ground and not to heavy grass, you may get by, but when you get into heavy stands, I think you are going to want a minimum of 150 hp

I agree that you don't have adequate power. I mowed for ten years or so with a ten footer with rolls behind 96 HP. It didn't want any up hill grade, and they say that impellers take more than rolls.

I think you will be OK if you don't think you need to mow at 8-10mph uphill and down. I have a 12' 8312 CIH discbine, usually run it with a 1086 (135 pto hp). Last year, I needed to bale with the 1086, so put the 966 (95+/-hp) on the mower. on level land, no problem @ 1 gear slower, on steep hills, needed to pull the TA back.

Hi Bob,
I have a Hesston 3312, which is the same thing as a Massey 1372. Rubber and steel roll. I always run it on my Deutz-Allis 7110. With 110 hp, I have not really needed more power. In thick 1st crop it takes more power and on hills you definitely know it is there. But if it takes that much power I am alright if I have to slow down a little to be easier on the discbine. I expect to get another 20+ years out of it so I may treat it nicer than others would. I do not like over-powering equipment. And often I have to cut hay in short windows between rains and want to use the lightest tractor I can cutting hay anyway on wet fields. I have alfalfa hay with a decent amount of orchardgrass mixed in.

Obviously, your 6105D is listed at 87 horsepower so you would running less power than me, but I would not be afraid to use it. If you have to go a little slower in thick crops that is not too concerning. There is a neighbor of mine that has a New Idea version of the same discbine and he runs it on his John Deere 7210 all the time. Especially considering that, you should be ok.

I am including a photo of my 3312. This was a very thick and mature first crop during a very wet year. I had to resort to cutting before the skies cleared out after rains that year (actually sometimes before the rains cleared too).

Thanks, Dan

I had a 1372 that I ran on a 7120 Magnum at around 150 horsepower on the pto. If youre on fairly level running I think youll be alright with the 6105 but if you have many hills I think youll find that the mower will push you around.

Just a note the dealer I am talking to on this one told me the book calls for 85hp required for the Massey. My ground is all flat. My 6105D is MFWD with loader so I do have a little weight. I don't need to fly, just tired of barely crawling..lol.

You'll probably be OK as long as you don't want to cruise too fast. Less power will do the bar more goood...

Rod

I worked for a farm that put a NH 1411 (10'6") on a NH 5030 (62 PTO HP) at a remote farm to save roading the normal larger tractor. It ran it ok, just not as fast travel wise.

A 6105D pulling a disc mower at 4 or 5 MPH is still cutting more hay than a SP that doesn't cut anything