I own the same model of mower and bought mine as an upgrade from a Ford 501 6ft scycle mower. I chose it for the same price point, as well as ease of use, less maintenance vs a disk mower and and speed of cut. I love my drum mower. It handles buried rocks emerging better than a disk mower as it's more likely to skip over the rocks without damage, and mows much faster than a scycle mower. As for your problems, I believe you don't have the three point adjusted correctly, which would take care of your scalping problem. The three point adjustable arm on the right side of the tractor needs to be set a few (4-6) inches higher that the left side arm. This allows the tractor to carry some of the weight of the frame, and reduces the chance of tripping the break-away. The length of the top link sets your depth of cut, leaving shorter or taller stubble. I run my cut a bit high (3.5in), which is better for the grass, and easier on the machine because it is able to overcome the terrain and rocks easier. The hydraulic cylender is used only for folding the mower for travel, not for raising the machine up to reposition for the next pass. I believe the wrapping happens from starting starting th drums in tall grass instead of in a clear area. The disks on the bottom of the drums don't need have perfect run-out due to the fact that they contact the ground and deform slightly anyway. As for the scratches on the bottom, I imagine you got into some rocks in the field, and with the three point not supporting some of the weight, they got gouged pretty deep. Every time I use mine, I find out some thing new about how to adjust it, or operate it to make things better. Give it some time.

Have one and love it!!! Mowed 15 acres/yr for the last 8 years. No issues, problems......etc.

I've had a SIP 165 for 14 years, nothing has broken, nothing has worn out [other than the knives] I think you'll grow to admire your mower for it's toughness and relatively cheap cost, and the fact it cuts hay easily no matter how thick or blown down it gets.

Thanks so much for the information. I was looking into this first, but got a Vicon Disc instead. Still might get one of these too.

I have a Bde 165 with hydraulics. Mine works great, and have run mine in high range with a Kubota L4060 with an hst transmission. Full throttle, and mine has never had those gouges. It looks like you had something abnormal in the field. Hang in there with it, I’ve had 2 and have had terrific service with both of mine.

Thanks for the honest reveiw! I have been considering going from a 9foot discbine to one of these. They seem too small i would like at least 8ft wide one! You think this 6ft drum will cover as much ground as a 9ft haybine because you can go that much faster?

No discbines like humps or rough fields.6.5 mph is plenty fast mowing

My Bush Hog DM8 just broke. $4300 sounds like a deal.

Used my brand new 185 for first time and it's leaving a strip between the drums. Any ideas why?

All lawnmowers with drums have an issue of imbalance with the result that they appear damaged. Over time, soil enters the vertical rollers and the cutter begins to break down.............

How much cost tanks

Give it a chance Looks like it did a great job Disc mowers can b a world of trouble Drum mowers are easy buy to fix Keep it greased and quit yr bitchin

The thing I don't understand is why these drum mowers have to drag the ground. No one should be cutting their hay field 1.5 inches or less. Is there a way to not drag these mowers and have the tractor carry the weight?

you scared me by letting the mower slow down in its transport position very dangerous even form a distance,by the way the cylinder is only for transport , in work position you use only the 3-point for lifting. This looks like a copy of an Deutz-fahr KM24 mower. Drum-mowers run as fast the field wil allow. Good luck with the mower. Greeting from belguim

Not seeing any mowing ! [ first time mowing with the tar river drum mower.]