Disc Mower-Cutting Height?

I've always cut with a sickle bar mower for hay and a shredder for rough stuff/pasture. I hear it is recommended to cut hay higher (4"to8"???) during hot dry summer time to reduce damage to grass. Anyway, if I get a three point disc mower, I assume I can pretty much cut hay at the height I want.
Could I use it to cut weeds (sunflowers, broom weed, etc.) at about a foot of height, thus not needing a shredder? Kelly
 
You could, but think of a disk mower as more like a lawn mower. They cut in the same manner and use sharp knives. With a disk mower you have to replace/flip the knives frequently. I replace once a season and flip half way through. If you hit anything while you are mowing its costly and immediate. If you mow tough things the knives won't last as long.

I use a pull disk mower conditioner. They were made to ride on the ground on skids. You can adjust the height of the cut by tipping the mower back a bit, but it still slides across the field. I would assume the three point units are the same. Disk mowers are the best thing since sliced bread. You had better know your fields and any obstacles, though.
 

3 PT disk cutters that I've seen won't cut at a level height if RH end of cutter bar is raised 1 ft off the ground. Center link can be lengthened to a degree to raise cutting height. Some brands of disk cutters offer high stubble skid shoes.
 
The disc mower will ride on the ground. Tilting the cutter hubs up or down can change the height. On some discbines, you can get a "high shoe" kit to give you 4-6 inch height. Maybe that's available with disc mowers too.
 

Sure, you can cut with it in the air. I would want to go very slowly however, because you will be carrying all that weight instead of it sliding on the ground. I saw a friend break a lower lift arm once while turning with the mower up.
 
I can't see a disc mower cutting 4 or 8 inches off the ground. Disc mowers work like the old hand scythe. Keep its heel on the ground and swish, cuts like a razor. Lift the scythe a bit and tear a little bit but not much cutting. A disc mower raised off the ground just blows the crop over and can actually wrap and clog and have the slip clutch slipping..Keep it close to the ground and it'll cut like a razor.
 

I mow at 3 inches for hay and get good regrowth. I have a 9 ft trailed mower and haven't had any problems clipping grass 6 inches to a foot high to cut the tops out of weeds but I wouldn't do it with a three point hitch disc mower. With the mower in the air all the weight is on the right side lift arm and could cause it the break, also a quick left turn could have the tractor up on two wheels or laying on its side.
 
With our Vicon 7'10" cut I mow for a 3 1/2 inch stubble with it on the ground. Adjusting the top link you may get up to 6 " but I have never tried it. I would NOT travel very fast with the cutter bar of the ground because of bounce and possibilit of over turning tractor on turns.
 

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