topper / mower

jd06

Its been covered before but its a while back
Iv 20 odd acres to cut mainly paddocks nothing too strong and topping to do. Iv upgraded the tractor and need something to do both if possible plus second hand.
Can skids be put on some mowers?
I also hear that some mowers dont top too well as they run too free?

Looking for something to do both.
Thanks

Sam Kade

A disc mower will do both no need for topping skids. I've had drum mowers toppers and disc mowers and ended up with a disc mower to cover both jobs.

maidhc

Seems to be a common question, with most people recommending using a mower.

I can see the benefit if you need top class grass for horses or dairy cattle. For drystock, I think cutting so low is just a waste of grass. Sure it looks lovely, but I don't think the margins are there for it.

I use a Conor 8ft trailed topper for topping and a JD 1360 for mowing. It would be a waste of a complex and expensive machine to use the Deere for topping. The Conor is 20 years old now, and has successfully cut under fences and hit stones unscathed for each of those 20 years.

rangler1

maidhc wrote: »

Seems to be a common question, with most people recommending using a mower.

I can see the benefit if you need top class grass for horses or dairy cattle. For drystock, I think cutting so low is just a waste of grass. Sure it looks lovely, but I don't think the margins are there for it.

I use a Conor 8ft trailed topper for topping and a JD 1360 for mowing. It would be a waste of a complex and expensive machine to use the Deere for topping. The Conor is 20 years old now, and has successfully cut under fences and hit stones unscathed for each of those 20 years.

Unless you have very level land a topper doesnt go low enough for sheep without scalping,

mythos110

I bought a Malone 8ft disc 3 years ago with the intention of using for both. Ended up springing for an 9ft abbey offset this year. The Malone was fine for mowing grass but when topping it keeps leaving docks and ragworth standing. I tried both with the skids on or just the top link lengthened and it was the same story. Running at 540-600 rpm and blades as new so not a question there.

The topper does a much tidier job in my book and I think its easier on the tractor too. I've been topping rushes with it recently and its doing a very tidy job. Disc mowers take a hammering on rough ground as well so no advantage there IMO.

The Malone will be on donedeal on the next week or two if you are interested!

teddy 1223

mythos110 wrote:

I bought a Malone 8ft disc 3 years ago with the intention of using for both. Ended up springing for an 9ft abbey offset this year. The Malone was fine for mowing grass but when topping it keeps leaving docks and ragworth standing. I tried both with the skids on or just the top link lengthened and it was the same story. Running at 540-600 rpm and blades as new so not a question there.

How much is new Abbey 9ft topper, I have to buy a topper. Was thinking of just buying a mower to do the two jobs, but I have some rough ground and would wreck a mower on it

rangler1

teddy 1223 wrote: »

How much is new Abbey 9ft topper, I have to buy a topper. Was thinking of just buying a mower to do the two jobs, but I have some rough ground and would wreck a mower on it

A disc mower seems to keep itself out of trouble in rough ground whereas a topper ploughs into it.....unless your referring to rocks and even then the disc is better

Reggie.

mythos110 wrote: »

I bought a Malone 8ft disc 3 years ago with the intention of using for both. Ended up springing for an 9ft abbey offset this year. The Malone was fine for mowing grass but when topping it keeps leaving docks and ragworth standing. I tried both with the skids on or just the top link lengthened and it was the same story. Running at 540-600 rpm and blades as new so not a question there.

The topper does a much tidier job in my book and I think its easier on the tractor too. I've been topping rushes with it recently and its doing a very tidy job. Disc mowers take a hammering on rough ground as well so no advantage there IMO.

The Malone will be on donedeal on the next week or two if you are interested!

How much:D

Mushy06

mythos110 wrote: »

I bought a Malone 8ft disc 3 years ago with the intention of using for both. Ended up springing for an 9ft abbey offset this year. The Malone was fine for mowing grass but when topping it keeps leaving docks and ragworth standing. I tried both with the skids on or just the top link lengthened and it was the same story. Running at 540-600 rpm and blades as new so not a question there.

The topper does a much tidier job in my book and I think its easier on the tractor too. I've been topping rushes with it recently and its doing a very tidy job. Disc mowers take a hammering on rough ground as well so no advantage there IMO.

The Malone will be on donedeal on the next week or two if you are interested!

I've Malone 7ft myself. Again topping and little bit of mowing. Just wondering mythos110 did you have any issue with the skid digging into ground a bit. The skid seems to cut into ground a little and leave slight line in field after. I've hydraulic top link on it so i can adjust accordingly from cab but it always leaves line wether topping high or low. Just wondering is it me or the machine??

Sami23

Have any of ye used a drum mower for topping, if so were you happy with the job it did.
Topper here has come to end of life and I can get a good 2nd hand drum mower for the same price as new topper and I'd have the option of cutting a bit of Hay etc. if I had the mower.
Alway's found the topper to damage the grass alot also.

older by the day

Sami23 wrote: »

Have any of ye used a drum mower for topping, if so were you happy with the job it did.
Topper here has come to end of life and I can get a good 2nd hand drum mower for the same price as new topper and I'd have the option of cutting a bit of Hay etc. if I had the mower.
Alway's found the topper to damage the grass alot also.

I had the same dilemma last week, I went a single roter topper because the ground is gone very rough after the past wet years. And I like being able to back in to briars and furze and only break a shear bolt. A good s ecound hand disc mower is 3 grand and they need to be looked after. Fine if you have level ground.

memorystick

I've around 40 acres of silage to mow and 30 of topping. I've a John Deere 2650. Just wondering what the best type of mower/topper I should buy. Fields in fairly good order. I don't want to buy a second tractor but don't want to overstretch the lady I have. Was thinking of a Malone but don't know which size. Any advice appreciated.

Willfarman

memorystick wrote: »

I've around 40 acres of silage to mow and 30 of topping. I've a John Deere 2650. Just wondering what the best type of mower/topper I should buy. Fields in fairly good order. I don't want to buy a second tractor but don't want to overstretch the lady I have. Was thinking of a Malone but don't know which size. Any advice appreciated.

A Kuhn gmd type model are well regarded. I’d say you could use a 8ft on that tractor at least.

Nobbies

Willfarman wrote: »

A Kuhn gmd type model are well regarded. I’d say you could use a 8ft on that tractor at least.

Plus 1 on that.i,ve a gmd 66 kuhn 8ft myself for both jobs.unbreakable.

memorystick

Thanks for the replies. What should I spend without breaking the bank but saving a few pound?

Willfarman

Would 3000 buy a good 2nd hand one if you were lucky to come by such an item?

9935452

Id agree with the 3 grand mark as a ball park figure.

Those 8ft kuhns were very easy driven .
We ran one on a mf135 at one stage when we were stuck .

Try noel gleeson in cappamore or ian archeston in annacotty . Both advertise on donedeal and both have their fair share of secondhand mowers.
I bought a 8ft krone conditioner off noel a good few years ago and it hasnt missed a beat.
I reckon ian would have more kuhns though