|
Thanks for the kind words and compliments :-). You are correct, I never used a pull type sickle mower, Ford 501 for a couple of years way back about 1980. Went to NH haybines then and then in the late 80's began our transition to disc mowers. Trailed v. mounted makes the difference I think. If I tried to make a 90 with a mounted sickle mower somewhere on the cutter bar would have to be a pivot point and the back of the sickle would have to go backwards there (a recipe for a plugged sickle). This is how I mow with a disc mower (not saying its the right or only way). I make 3-4 clockwise circles around the field and then 1 c.c. pass. If I am planning square bale the field I quit here and go onto the next one (I'll roll this to let me have room for the bale wagon). Regardless of if I am coming back to the field or am finishing it to roll I then divide it into long blocks, just mow a piece off that I want (about 45 mins worth) and when I get to the end turn around and immediately cut out where I just drove, then back and forth until it is quicker to go down teh outside than in the middle. My objective being keeping the cutter bar on the ground and in the hay the maximum amount of time. I hire a lot of day labor to mow for me and they can waste the most God aweful amounts of time with the cutter bar off the ground drving around the fields. I tell them every second your blade isnt in the hay is wasting my money.
| 
