Which disc mower

Not familiar with the New Idea, but if it is recent I think it is the same as the Hesston ansd Massey Fergueson sold by AGCO. If so it is a shaft drive mower and repairs may be simpler because the cutterbar is in seperate segments which may be replaced or repaired indivdually. The Vermeer mowers are of this type of design. I recently bit the bullet and bought a new Vermeer and love it. The shaft drive designs make use of sealed bearings and grease packing which, according to Hay Dr, require less horse power because the cutterbar is not pumping oil back and forth with the gears.
As sthe other post said, you need a heavy enough tractor to handle the weight of the mower, especially with the bar upright. Sharp turns with the mower up and a light tractor make turnovers possible. If the front end is a little light the tractor will not make sharp left turns because the front wheels will push. I always figured a 5000 Ford would make an ideal tractor for a 9 foot disc mower but I've never owned one.
Finally, whatever kind you get I recommend changing the gear oil at the beginning of each season.

KEH

Rod

That said, something of the 463 NH range would want 40-50 hp to work with. You need that much tractor to keep it upright without a lot of ballast, and you'll need that power to make it cruise (at least 50). I'm not saying it can't be run with less in certain crops, but to get the speed adavantage of a disc mower, you need power.

Rod

BRUSSELS, Aug 17 (SNS) � The European Commission said the deadline for its inquiry into Agco Corp.'s (AG), a major maker and seller of farm machinery, proposed acquisition for a major equity stake in Laverda-S.p.A unit of Argo S.p.A is set for this September 14.
As reported last June 25, Agco said agreed to acquire a 50 per cent stake in the Italy-based Laverda-S.p.A unit of Argo S.p.A, a privately held maker and seller of farm tractors based in Italy, for undisclosed terms.

The acquisition is intended to expand the company's harvest machinery portfolio, Agco said. It follows a statement two years ago by Agco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Richenhagen that the company would "deploy all the resources necessary to become a world leader in harvesting technology."

Laverda, which has produced combine harvesters for over 50 years and agricultural machinery and equipment since 1873, has previously manufactured mid-range combines for Agco's Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Challenger brands for distribution in Europe, Africa and the Middle East since 2004, at its facility and headquarters in Breganze, Italy, Agco said.

Agco also said its joint stake in the company with Argo will include Laverda's Fella-Werke GMBH, a German manufacturer of grass and hay machinery, and Laverda's 50 per cent stake in Gallignani S.p.A, an Italian manufacturer of balers.

"In particular, the integration of Fella and Gallignani provides Argo with direct access to key remaining products to enhance its harvesting offer," Gary Collar, Agco's senior vice president and general manager for Europe, Africa and Middle East, said.

It is not known if Fort was included in the sale of Laverda.