Sickle bar mower VS. bush hog

Thanks for any help.

The only advantage to a sicklebar is that it leaves the cuttings full length and doesn't chew them up. This is important for hay making.

If you're just cutting it to keep it looking nice, the bush hog will chew up the cuttings, and they will decompose faster, where the sicklebar cuttings will lay on top of the cut grass, and if not removed, may actually kill it.

In short: Mowing for hay, use the sicklebar.

Mowing for appearance, use the bush hog or a finish mower.

Mowing trashy stuff or rough ground, use a bush hog.

Unless, of course, you already have the sicklebar and don't want to spend the money on another mower.

Is there an inexpensive way to rake up the hay after its been cut. In other words can it be done without a baler, or whatever it is that makes those neat little bundles?

Thanks,
EJ