Re: a rotary cutter question for ya

Posted by txblu on May 28, 2004 at 05:53:24 from (199.46.199.230):

In Reply to: a rotary cutter question for ya posted by old fashioned farmer on May 28, 2004 at 05:37:03:

I think kyhayman posted an opinion/article about curing the stem. Basically, the more parts you cut it into, the faster the moisture can evaporate.

I have tried sickle mowers on several occasions and all results were the same: they suck!

I took my latest sickle to the sale barn and currently use a 6' rotary cutter that has the reinforcing steel on top giving a slick underside so hay is not trapped. Additionally I cut out the back of the thing so the hay exits flat(not windrowed). Cuts cleaner by getting the hay away from the blade faster, and scatters better for a faster cure.

I run as fast as I can (groundspeed) with the slowest blade speed that will cut nicely. The hay comes out chopped up somewhat but skattered, not clumps like when it falls off a sickle. It rakes and bales about as effeciently as the sickle. You can tedder if you want, but it's not as critical to a fast curing time as it is on a sickle where there are long stems and clumps on top of clumps.

Besides your cutter is right behind you and you don't have that "thing" sticking out to the side that hangs up on everything. Yeah my tire rolls over the grass before it's cut but looking behind the cut you'd never know it.

Now on 5' sudan, I use a mower conditioner (swather) and have used it on grass hay. It's just overkill and I save the wear and tear for sudan.

One more point: No cutter blade "sections" to replace or to rust up, or to get CLOGGED UP BY CRAWDAD MUD TOWERS.

Best,

Mark

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