(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

What height to set cutter for hay?

T

TXZane

Member
Since we aren't gonna get anymore rain here in east texas I'm getting my sickle mower ready for next year. For this area what height do people like to cut their grass at? Any advantage to cutting short or leaving it pretty tall? Yield is no concern to me, I would rather do what's best for the ground and the crop.
 

Cutting crops short takes the crop longer to regrow. I cut my Coastal leaving about 3'' of stalk height. Taller stalk height also makes clean raking easier.
 
Agree with others on about 3 inches for both our Coastal and Bahiagrass.

Our JD 350 sickle mowers are set to highest setting on both inner shoe and outer runner.
 
I'm at the last (highest) hole on the shoes on the IH 100 9 footer. For both alfalfa and grasses.
 
Mine is set as high as it will go- something over 3". I'm getting a third cutting of grass hay this year, and the regrowth is thicker every year.....
 
Agree, and this is the same as your lawn. I just laugh when I see people mowing there lawn somewhere around 1/2 inch high. Old school was mow it as close to the ground as rocks would allow. Not now.
 

Back in the day, Case recommended cutting high enough to get the leaves but leave a lot of stalk so regrowth happened quicker, another advantage of this is that windrowed hay stayed up higher off the ground and air moved under accentuating the drying and it didn't draw dampness from the ground. The food value of the crop is in the leaves.
 
I don't run outside shoes, just guards with a swath board attached to the bar. The inside sole is set so I cut as low as it will go. About all I cut is native grass.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Too late to mow hay
2
Replies
27
Views
668
Leroy
L
F
Now or next year
Replies
12
Views
477
flying belgian
F
S
Drum Mower question
Replies
15
Views
690
Destroked 450
Destroked 450
J
What sickles to use
Replies
15
Views
1K
spacechem
S
R
NH 469 Haybine problem
Replies
13
Views
702
MJMJ
M
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top