sickle mower raking info./advice?

Does anyone have any info on what model this mower would be, and where I can find a manual for it? From what I've found on this site so far, I think it may be a #5 mower? Any info. on mounting and operation of the mower would be greatly appreciated, since I would like to try using it in the next week or two to cut my pasture hay. Do I mower the field clockwise (making right turns,) then finish the outside last by mowing in opposite direction?

I have been using a MF36 self-propelled mower conditioner, but I've had a lot of trouble getting the clover to dry in the windrows. I've been thinking that swathing with a sickle and letting it dry flat may work better, then raking into windrows. How would I rake to form the windrows after swathing using a side delivery rake (rake counter-clockwise toward center of field?) Any suggestions or advice would be helpful.

You can either rake in a circle counter clockwise-clockwise or you can just start on the right side of the field and make rounds, thereby moving in a left direction across the field.

Allan

I recently purchase sickle mower, NI Model 30. Don't know how to use it as well. Any advice apreciated. YES, I will replace the "homemade" metal pitman with a wooden one BEFORE I even try using the unit.

How do you make grass hay with a NI Model 30 sickle, NH 256 rake and a NH 66 baler? Is there a website out there with instructions?

Thanks

Go to your favorite search engine, and look up "haying FAQ" and you will find it at a sheep creek web site. Pretty long, but it tells all the basics on how to make hay.

--->Paul

I now have a local farmer who makes small squares for me but he doesn't want to do it on halves anymore. So this Spring I purchased some equipment. I am still using him for cutting and balling but I am now doing the raking. My old Ford 600 doesn't have hydraulics for the NH 479 haybine (yet). His baler has a thrower. I am not healthy enough to use the NH 66 baler but will hire teenagers to pickup and stack.

KEH

Can I drive into the field with the rake and start at it and figure it out as I go? Of course. I've learned most of life's lessons by trial and error. But if possible I would like to do it right the 1st time and avoid rolling the outer windrow into the fence or doubling up windrows into something that won't dry.

I'm not looking for "THE" answer. Just looking for advice. I do talk with all of my neighbors. However in this area most are making round bales of alfafa for dairy and NOT small squares of grass for horses. They don't use very old equipment on such a small scale either.

Purchased equipment at auction for in case my current custom farmer stops helping me. He has plenty of other work at his farm so traveling a few miles to town to make my 20 acres of hay is NOT a high priority for him.....

My sheep the grass on the ground, I am baling excess to make money from horse owners.

• Hobby farm

Sent you an email with my email address.

Thanks