CCM 190 Drum Mower Update

I have had my new drum mower for a week now. Have cut 3 fields, that total around 20 acres. Largest was 12, then 5.5 and yesterday evening was 4 acres. To say I am elated is an understatement. This mower can lay down the grass. After around 15 acres, I flipped over the knives. That is not unusual in this area since I frequently hit dirt mounds from crawdads. Knife change is super easy.

The thing I really like is that I can pick whatever ground speed I want from 3 mph to 8mph and the cut looks the same. I had to run a consistent 3mph on the haybine or it would miss grass due to plugs.

The 190 is a good match for my 2550 deere. Would not want to be much lighter. That cutter is heavy when in transport and it would bounce a lighter tractor around quite a bit.

Only area that I dislike is the movement from transport to cut, and back. The mower is heavy. The placement of the transport bar has to be precise to get the pin in, so you have to fiddle with it a bit to get it locked in. Also, you have to remove the pto shaft when in transport or the yoke will be at 90 degrees. That would be a disaster if you accidentally hit the pto engage lever.

So far, Hay Dr. has been super on ordering, shipping and answering all of my dumb questions.

John

I ran a 165 with my little 26HP tractor. Mowed decent enough but in transport, you hadda steer with the brakes :roll: Went to a PZ 135 and was great. Since replaced the tractor with 42 hp but will keep the same mower... You'll figger out the tricks to that brace bar soon enough. After they get older and used a bunch they waller out a little and makes the alignment a little easier .

How much do the replacement knives cost there?? 25 knives for about 15 bucks here....

dave2,

Hay Dr. has the knives (98D) for $1.25 ea. I have only been able to find local knives in size 96 (2mm shorter, otherwise identical) for $1.98. CM120 knives for the smaller mowers are $1.50 from Hay Dr.

I guess I will be ordering a box from the good Dr.

John

I use cm120 and they are less than half the price here... Other parts are a little cheaper there (US) tho... Go figger....
That drum mower can make a pro out of an idiot tho can't it?
I never could get the hang of my sickle mower so the first mowing I did was with the drum. Zoomed right along from the beginning and just had to figure out ground speed and play with the top link a little...

Idiot? Absolutely. I lifted the mower while running and the skirt went a flying...a real dope slap moment... fortunately the mower runs fine without and Hay Dr. sent me a new one to install. Never lift the mower when those blades are a spinnin :roll:

John

I have a cut to length 3/8'' chain in the tractor toolbox with an ''S'' hook on each end. After unpinning the break away protection arm when ready to move the mower to transport position one end of the chain hooks in the hole on the end of the break away arm, the other end hooks in the end of the right hand side third arm pin that is not in use, I hook my right side third arm up on the inside pin so it is the outside pin that is not in use. Swing the mower to transport and the chain stops the mower and holds it in position to pin the transport arm, I leave the chain in place until I put it back in mowing position.

Hogleg where are you located? I iahve been thinking about one of the mowers that you just bought. I would like to watch one run.

Thanks

Trent.

(quoted from post at 11:48:50 06/09/12) Hogleg where are you located? I iahve been thinking about one of the mowers that you just bought. I would like to watch one run.

Thanks

Trent.

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This is the one I have... Pretty much idiot proof... An idiot can take out a tpost with it and keep right on going tho :roll:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmOccwj0iuk

I transport my 165 without disconnecting the PTO shaft, all the time. The AC D-10/12 series III has a live pto with a brake, that takes an active motion, to engage the PTO. One thing I have noticed, is that you have to be very careful when folding the unit to transport position. There is a grease Zerk, that can be sheared off, if you don't watch what is happening, as you fold the unit to travel position. Twist the shaft a little, and you can avoid the problem. Don't know whether this trend holds true, on a 190!

DeereJockey - Salem, Illinois

DIYDave, I have an independent PTO also, but sometimes it is me that fails to engage brain prior to engaging the PTO :roll:

John

Hogleg if you would email me your no. I would like to come see that mower run sometime. I live in Oblong but run to Flora often. I also make it over for antique power days occasionally. [email protected]

(reply to post at 11:33:35 06)

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Email sent.