Running a disc mower on mf 200 series

massey 265

Hi all .Im told the massey 200 series are not suitable to run a disc mower due to makeup of the spool valve system on them.Anyone have any experience of this.thanks

emaherx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058355400/running-a-disc-mower-on-mf-200-series

Can't see any reason, I've run disc mowers on 100 300 and 600 MF's without issues. 265 is a bit small so you'd be looking at smaller mowers under 7ft.

We even used a 5'6 disc mower on a 165 for years with no spool valve and used the tipping pipe to fold it up.

Edit:

Have you a 265? If so do your spools work independently of the rear arms? As in you can use both at same time or need to isolate one or other. If this is the concern there are still options.

tractorporn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058355400/running-a-disc-mower-on-mf-200-series

We've often run a 7ft malone disc mower on our 275 no issues with spools for raising or lowering.

minerleague

Have mf 265 with lely 8 ft disc mower, 3 way splitter under seat, 1 for front loader, 2 for rear arms, 3 for single acting remote ( arms do creep down when using mower on this remote but I tie them up to bar across under back window while mowing)

massey 265

Thanks for the replys .yes have a 265 here that has just the tipping pipe and was told disc mower needs tractor to have 2 way spools to work properly ,one to lower mower from transport mode and one to lift mower up or down if required while mowing.

roosterman71

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122243768#Comment_122243768

That all depends on the mower really. Our Malone has a single spool to raise it up. Gravity brings it down.

minerleague

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122243768#Comment_122243768

A lot of disc mowers need only single acting spool ( as roosterman above points out although newer ones where mower folds in past 90 degrees may be different ) but tipping pipe wont work as arms lift to highest point before oil flows to it. Plenty of videos online of double acting spool vales being added to similar vintage tractors as yours

massey 265

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122243887#Comment_122243887

Will check out .Thanks

emaherx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122243887#Comment_122243887

Maybe not when tractor is fitted with a spool. But tipping pipe can work independently of arms if connected to EXT2 on the 3 way valve. You most likely have your spools connected to EXT2 though which is why yours cannot. (or an aux pump and no 3 way?)

There are a few options for @massey 265:

1. If you have a 3 way valve use EXT2, if you don't already have the valve fit one they are cheap and bolt on with 2 bolts. If your tractor has pressure control on quadrant then even better as you can leave in constant pumping and use pressure control to control height of mower.
2. Fit a spool (you will still need the 3 way valve), it just plumbs to EXT2 on 3 way and returns through a port on left-hand side if top cover. It's relatively easy to plumb but a bit fiddly with hoses and mounting.
3. Fit an aftermarket 100 series spool, simple 2 bolts no plumbing except screwing in the two remote hoses, it replaces the 3 way valve or cover plate. This option may depend on if your cab has a floor over top cover or not. Spool levers end up between your legs which is fine to use but reduce space getting in and out of seat. I have one fitted to my 135 but just screw levers off when not in use and it works well.
4. Just buy a drum mower that swings out behind when in transport position.

you can see mine here with th levers removed.

Link: https://tractorpartsireland.ie/product/selector-valve-with-spool-valve-monoblock?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw65-zBhBkEiwAjrqRMFQZpJTN1ieKEQN44NrwkR9_5UbNEBfRIzXsP3lAg97Kp77EoQh6ahoC9H4QAvD_BwE One lever selects Linkage / single acting or double acting, the other is a single spool.

Edit:

This one is interesting: https://www.bradleytractorparts.ie/product/diverter-valve-kit7?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw65-zBhBkEiwAjrqRMPWHfCnWk-0cbdxeEZtPbQA1MxMjfyHhDcXGzq3KptUxC0ZP45tOMhoCKr0QAvD_BwE as it lets you work arms and a single spool independently, although the arms are controlled via the extra lever and not the quadrant. It's also a complete kit with all hoses bots etc (This can also be achieved with option 2 above, with a spare spool and some extra plumbing )

tellmeabit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122243722#Comment_122243722

Might be off use to you .. can't find them locally but look like could be made up..

https://farmtractorrepair.com/collections/stabilizer-kit/products/mower-stabilizer-chain-kit

https://youtube.com/shorts/3MfpTTObha0?si=ObVVEe-RRAV0ZT2W

emaherx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122248918#Comment_122248918

Also might need a Cat II version, but would really work well with this https://www.bradleytractorparts.ie/product/diverter-valve-kit7?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw65-zBhBkEiwAjrqRMPWHfCnWk-0cbdxeEZtPbQA1MxMjfyHhDcXGzq3KptUxC0ZP45tOMhoCKr0QAvD_BwE as the one disadvantage to working the arms from a spool instead of the quadrant is the ability to consistently set working height.

massey 265

Thanks for all the info re above.Much appreciated.

Sami23

Anyone priced an 8ft Krone non conditioner mower lately ?

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257654#Comment_122257654

10.5k I paid locally. Rang 1 or 2 round the country and they quoted higher over the phone but prob would have matched it or beaten it if I had been in person. Wanted to deal locally.

massey 265

Got prices for standard discmowers, apottinger 8ft 11,600 7ft 10,500 bellon 8ft 6,800 7ft 6,250 no price yet for malone

maidhc

gave 8,400 for a 8ft Malone side pivot last yr.

Farney Farmer

fair price difference between the potttinger and the bellon. Anyone have any experience with the bellon? What would they be like?

emaherx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258095#Comment_122258095

The bellon looks a lot lighter you are definitely getting a lot less metal for the money. Which may be helpful on a smaller tractor but maybe not for lifespan.

massey 265

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258230#Comment_122258230

Yes i would agree with that ,it depends on what the purchaser requires of the machines re only topping and tippin around or mowing heavy meadows etc.Horses for courses and all that.

tabby aspreme

Has anyone experience of the Kubota mowers, are they a rebranded Vicon

White Clover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258284#Comment_122258284

ya they are a Vicon. Great mowers too.

Sami23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257708#Comment_122257708

Based on the price of the Pottinger the 10.5k that 893bet paid for the Krone looks ok value at today's prices.

But if the 8ft Malone is still around the 8.5k mark it would force a decision to be made as I hear they are good machine too.

IMO Krone would be the rolls royce of mowers but appreciate everyone has their owns opinions on that

emaherx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258362#Comment_122258362

I've a Malone ProCut 800, I'm happy with mine, it's a heavy machine, you'd know it hanging off the side of a 390 but there are a few posters here not happy with them getting wrapped up in heavy crops. I wouldn't be as big a user of fertilizer as many of them though. I'd say it's definitly superior to some of the cheaper Italian built mowers.

hopeso

I wonder what these are like?

https://www.donedeal.ie/toppers-for-sale/new-8-foot-fransgrd-disc-mower/37116499

Sami23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122267328#Comment_122267328

Don't know about that disc mower but Fransgard used to do a very good drum mower.

emaherx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122267328#Comment_122267328

Not sure about them either but for anyone looking at one for a 100 or 200 series massey it seems the ability to lift the whole cutter bar off the ground with a single valve lever is an option that you'd want to save having to switch between arms and valve chest on every headland turn. This feature is standard on other makes such as Malone.

The model is prepared for the installation of the hydraulic lifting system, which significantly increases efficiency, as the cutter bar can be raised by simply pulling a handle with direct access to the hydraulics on the disc mower, instead of having to raise the tractor's lifting arms, which is more time-consuming.

https://www.fransgard.dk/en-gb/gt210/dm-skivesl%C3%A5maskine

limo_100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258284#Comment_122258284

I think there just a rebranded Keverland mower so would be a good mower. The funky farmer has one seems to like it