nother question (rake)

I have this very problem every time I rake. I always start at the outside of the field and rake a continuous windrow that spirals to the inside of the field. When I come out of the field, I always mess up my windrow with my rake. Is there a better way to rake so this doesn't happen.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Currently, I take a pitchfork with me and pitch the hay back into the windrow when I have pulled the rake out of the field.

Thanks again,

Tom in TN

I do a couple of things. First time out I normally cut about 6 swaths around each hay field and then bale this normally. If you cna cut all of your hay in 1 day this wouldnt work too well but if it takes several days then simply cut the outside of each field the first day instead of all of it. When this is baled and removed you have the ability to rake in straight lines. For that outside you can rake around (I usually throw 2 swaths over adn 1 back). You have a 'entrance' hole where you start.

Second option on a field cut all at 1 time is to 1. do as above with the outer windrow, except start 21 or so feet into the field throwing the hay to the outside. This leaves room to turn at the head lands of each windrow and you still have an 'entrance' hole where you start. Another option is to rake in a U pattern instead of a 'box'. This leaves the entire end of the field open. Often this can be used on odd shaped fields. My fields range in size from 3-4 acres to 60 acres and are all irregular in shape. Straight lines accross the slope are the only way I can make any time, with square bales, I have to get out of the field to got to the barn; with rolls (my fields are VERY STEEP) I cant drop up and down the slope or they roll away.

Thank you for the great ideas. I have about six acres of "rained-on" hay that I raked today. If I can get it out of the field in the next couple of days, I need to cut about 6 more acres. I'm going to try your suggestions on the next cutting. I really like your suggestions and I'm sure it's going to work much better than my spiral approach.

Thanks again,

Tom in TN

Also remembered that bumping a windrow to make a right hand turn only scoots it, if making a left turn you cross it and pile it. Just a thought.

Regards,
David