First Cutting of Hay Field

Nancy and I got our first cutting of the hay field this past weekend.

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This year "Vernon" our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYxv_HsWGHg">56 Model 70</a> was used to run the 9ft <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iN6TnVTHHA">JD 350</a> sickle mower.

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Both the tractor and mower did a good job.

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This year we added a Deutz-Fahr KH40 hay tedder.

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</a>Nancy used <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIC6pkBkGwQ">"Old John"</a> her 48A to run the tedder.

Did you notice that we lost the right outside tine buggy?

A pin came out and well; let's not talk about that.

Also had some damage to another tine arm.

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We had planned on using <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIjNH2ghdTA">"Uncle Earl"</a> our 39B to pull the hay rake.

Tractor started OK, but was running rough.

"Old John" Nancy's 48A was used to pull the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOj3QFyxRVU">JD 640</a> hay rake.

Both the tractor and rake did a good job.

We used "#15" our 53 Model 70 to run the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOdmrdwvA44">Krone 260</a> baler.

Have you ever noticed how everything on equipment checks out and works just fine at the shop?

I looked at the baler and thought to myself "What will go wrong today with this baler?".

The answer to my question was the mechanical tying mechanism.

After a long dialog of words that would make George Carlin blush, back to the shop for the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqSFzU2VpnY">Krone 125</a> back-up baler.

Although the wind rows were made wider and higher for the Krone 260, the smaller Krone 125 managed to get the job done.

This was the best quality of hay for a first cutting ever with 13 4x4 bales off 7 acres.

I will say again that I have all the respect in the world for you folks that do custom hay baling.

If I had to do this for a living I would starve to death!.

Very nice pictures. Looks like you had fun.

Enjoy all your pictures just some advice from me, I would angle your tedder down more at least I would. Youre not fluffing the hay at all nearly grazing it. You dont want the teeth in the ground but you do want them pickin up the hay and fluffing it. Again just my 2 cents.

Again James Outstanding !! Great vids too !!
Love the sound of those Deeres.

I heard you where outstanding in your field. Now I know.

James,

I loved the way you made the corners with that "70" and the mower...crank that wheel, lock that right brake and keep movin' on! Just like I used to do it with our '52 "B" and a No. 5 mower.

Stan

You are right about the angle of the tedder.

The hay cured so quickly, it really didn't need to be tedded. We did it anyway to learn before we had a field of hay that really needed it.

We both agreed the teeth needed to be set down some more. We will change the angle of the teeth the next time we use it.

I also noticed we had lots of coastal runners growing, so with the hay not really needing tedding and the teeth not set down, we didn't pull them up. It all worked out and we learned a lot.

Don't know why all my name didn't come through.

We decided to use "Vernon" our 56 Model 70 this year mainly because of the power steering.

When the tractor is sitting still at idle, the steering "drifts" to the right.

The 50hp tractors run the 350 sickle mower much better.

Yeah, you don't need that monniker! Did the Troll do that?



Gordo

We enjoy walking through the hay field a day before it is cut.

Always take at least one photo of the tallest grass just for future reference.

With a slight breeze the grass "waves" from end to end.

Sometimes it seems a shame to cut such a pretty site.

The best sound came from "#15" the 53 Model 70 as the baler was nearing the bale density.

It makes a good, strong sound under a load.

Of the three processes, cutting, raking, and baling, I enjoy cutting the best.

We had two areas on the hay field that were replanted/reseeded this season that I did not drive over.

Made for an interesting mowing pattern in one area, but decided to approach situation as two separate fields.

One of the videos showed mowing down the center of the hayfield to separate the two areas.

Nancy also got an opportunity to join in the fun with the tedder.

She was a little reluctant at first because she was concerned about possible damage to the tedder.

Assured her that if anything got damaged that I would just fix it later.

Looks better than last years if I remember from your photos, and it's nice to walk out in a healthy stand, knowing you sprayed for weeds, fertilized/lime, over seeded and what have you.

I have always enjoyed viewing a thick or uniform stand of hay grasses, the 65 acres of oats we put in is doing pretty good, and it sure looks great when topped out and dark green like last years was:

John not to be pushy but that big gut is the first sign of a heart attack waiting to knock you down. Have you Cholesterol checked if its around 200 to 230 then get a good doctor to check you out.
I know I had my heart attack at 57 Chol. at 219. doctor said don't worry about it.
Walt
PS we and Nancy need you around a little longer.

You have an absolutely beautiful stand of oats!

We are getting closer and closer every year to our goal of minimizing weeds, increasing the growth of the Coastal Bermuda and Cheyenne Bermuda, and building up the nutrients in the soil.

Quality is improving and quantity supports Nancy's needs for her horses.

Let's all post a picture for the forum to critique; here I am a few years ago, when I was in better health.........

Thanks for your concern about my weight and health.

About 5 years ago I was much heavier.

I would tell folks "I wear a size 32, but a size 38 is more comfortable."

After a lot of physical labor around the farm, I have worked off about 30-40lbs.

I wear a pant size 32 and the overalls are size 33.

At my last physical, the doctor was OK with my weight because of body mass index.

I drink a lot of water and get the majority of exercise (work) every weekend at the farm.

I do not drink coffee or alchohol, non-smoker/dipper, very little red meat - a lot of chicken, wheat bread, and honey for sweetener.

Nancy sees to it that I take vitamins; long names that I can't remember, pronounce, or spell.

No prescription medication of any kind; an occasional ibuprofen about once every six months.

My demise will probably result from a stroke induced by cussing equipment that does not work as designed.

For several years I suffered from Dunlaps syndrome; my belly had done lapsed over my belt!

That was last years & was broadcast, not drilled, not sure how the seed was put down, but his spray applicator guy did it, this little field always grows good crops, one of my favorite places on the farm too. This years looks good too, little thinner population as we were wringing out the seed rate and the new to him grain drill, could have gone a tad thicker.

I liked seeing what you guys were doing earlier to improve your fields, always liked fooling with the hay grasses and seeing how they do.

Just got the call, have to go rake up some hay that has been tedded, got rained on too, but we need it off the field, so that 2nd cut comes in on time, looks like this afternoon is booked, and my friend the farmer is out and about, still a long road ahead of him but, at least I can help him out again, he can't get on a tractor and deal with the bumps after they fixed his burst veins, will have to bring the camera, might be able to post some shots later.

Thanks for posting.Always enjoy seeing your pictures.You two make a great team! Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the compliment on the photos.

We enjoy sharing them and the videos with all the folks on the forum.

Nancy is a lot of help and she does enjoy using "Old John" her 48A that was once her dad's tractor.

She does more than her share of work on the hayfield.

Got to love a wife that loves old tractors.

Excellent pictures and videos . All the best from West Wales .

Thanks for the compliment on the photos and videos.

We like to share what we enjoy, even though it is work, with everyone on the forum.

Good to hear from you folks from across the pond.

James,
Thanks for the pictures and video's.My two son's,age 7 and 4, really enjoyed them as much as I did.If the weather would ever straighten out herein the northeast we should be able to go after it.

Vito

Glad to hear that you and your young sons liked the photos and videos.

They"re never too young get involved with the old tractors.

We had planned to put up hay over the Memorial Day weekend, but got 4 days of rain instead.

We kept watching the 10 day forecast on weather.com and finally decided on last weekend.

How"s the #5 coming along?

It's coming.Couldn't figure out how that darned 3 point setup worked and switched over to the quick tach,took of the hydraulic cylinder and put a hand lift lever on it for now.Trying to dumb it down a little bit.I just have to finish the adjustments I hope.Redoing all the parts and pieces on the bar and buying a new knife got pretty pricey.I guess I'm preaching to the choir on that one though.

Thanks for the inquiry

Vito