Silly questions about swathing and windrowing

So if I want to swath I'd set the sheet's to their widest setting and lower the swath-aerator to break up the discharged hay so it fluffs ? And if windrowing just bring the sheet's together to pile the hay high in a narrow row ? Am I on the right track ? If so what are the benefit's of each way ?

Sorry that was more than a silly question . Take care and thanks for not laughing ....Randy

I'd say which name they are referred to by is more of a regional thing than anything. Years ago, when I was young, here in ND, is seems to me units that were Canadian-made were more commonly called "windrowers" than US made units.

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sw�th footstep, trace; akin to Middle High German swade swath
1 a : a row of cut grain or grass left by a scythe or mowing machine b : the sweep of a scythe or a machine in mowing or the path cut in one course
2 : a long broad strip or belt
3 : a stroke of or as if of a scythe
4 : a space devastated as if by a scythe

The term windrow is the pile of debris left behind. Where they got the term I dunno, but that is what it's called.

Had 2 types of swathers, er ah mower-conditioners:

NH had fixed sideboards for a windrow of about 3' meaning that what the swath that cut was discharged into a 3' wide row (that the wind can blow around). If you wanted to change the width of the row, there was a steel plate affixed to the underside of the rear apron that could be raised up out of the way (narrow row) or bent down vertical (max width row).

JD has variable side boards which can be set to the desired width.

The more exposure to the sun you have the faster the crop will cure. But that interferes with the next cutting round and is usually wider than the throat of a baler.

I think windrow is a personal preference thing. I set mine so that the hay falls within the space between the tires of my cutting tractor (about 3') so that I don't smash it into the ground on the next round. This also leaves me a clean area for the cutter coming around on the next round (which is why I will never buy another sickle bar mower).

I always rake the crop a couple of times (at least) and that is where I determine how much of a windrow I will have for the baler. I may only rake one row or if the crop is light I may get as many as 6 rows combed together to roll.

HTH

Mark

Day B4 yesterday I called my service provider and told him that I was having problems getting logged on.

One of the things he did was send me to "Control Panel", "Phone and Modem" section, and check what my baud rate was. I did and it was 110, 000. My supplier is only set up for 56,000. I reset it to 56k and have had not one post miss since.

I think I was sending the message faster than the transmission/receiving system could handle it so it blocked it.

Mark

I spoke too soon as this morning, July 4, I had 2 or 3 that took a double post.

Mark