Advantages and Disadvantages of Sickle Bar Mowers vs. Disc Mowers

Sickle bar mowers and disc mowers are two types of equipment used in agriculture to cut forage crops like hay or grass.

Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Do you know them? Let us tell you:

Sickle Bar Mowers

Also called reciprocating mowers, they have two overlapping metal combs placed at a low height and parallel to the ground surface. The comb's teeth are sharpened like blades. The grass enters between each tooth, and the movement of one comb over the other achieves a clean cut.

Advantages:

• Wider Cutting Width: Sickle bar mowers tend to have a wider cutting width compared to disc mowers, meaning they can cover more ground in less time.
• Less Power Required: Generally, sickle bar mowers require less power to operate compared to disc mowers, which can result in lower fuel consumption and operational costs.
• Less Maintenance: Sickle bar mowers usually have a simpler design and fewer moving parts compared to disc mowers, which can reduce maintenance costs and frequency.
• Terrain Adaptability: They can better adapt to uneven terrains or obstacles since the bar design tends to float over the surface rather than penetrating it.
   

Disadvantages:

• Slower Cutting Speed: Sickle bar mowers can have a slower cutting speed compared to disc mowers, which can affect efficiency in certain situations.
• Requires Cleaner Terrain: Due to their design, sickle bar mowers may struggle to cut in terrains with denser vegetation or larger debris, requiring prior land preparation.
• Heavier Weight: Although this can vary depending on the specific model, some sickle bar mowers tend to be heavier than disc mowers, affecting maneuverability and transport capability.
  

Disc Mowers

Also called rotary mowers, they are usually larger and are mounted to the tractor at the rear, front, or sides. They have a set of sharp metallic discs that rotate to cut.

Advantages:

• Higher Cutting Speed: Disc mowers usually have a higher cutting speed compared to sickle bar mowers, which can increase harvest efficiency.
• Cleaner Cut: Due to the design of rotating discs, disc mowers can provide a cleaner cut, especially in terrains with dense vegetation or large debris.
• Less Clogging: Disc mowers can be less prone to clogging with dense vegetation or large debris compared to sickle bar mowers.
• Greater Versatility: Some disc mower models can easily adjust the cutting height and disc angle to adapt to different conditions and crop types.

Disadvantages:

• More Frequent Maintenance: Disc mowers usually have more moving parts and components than sickle bar mowers, requiring more frequent and costly maintenance.
• More Power Required: In general, disc mowers may require more power to operate compared to sickle bar mowers, resulting in higher operational costs.
• Narrower Cutting Width: Generally, disc mowers tend to have a narrower cutting width compared to sickle bar mowers, which may mean more time is needed to cover the same area of land.

In summary, when purchasing a mower, the choice between one type or another will depend on various factors such as the type of crop, terrain conditions, budget, and the farmer's preferences.
Do you already own a mower and need spare parts? Discover our Kramp range here.

Have more questions about mowers?
Contact your Kramp product specialist or ask your nearest Kramp distributor by searching here: Find a distributor in your area - KRAMP