Mowers and Mower Conditioners

Depending on the size of your operation and the region you live in there are a number of options for your operation.

Sicklebar Mower – Usually used for a smaller operation. Smaller tractors can handle easily handle a sickle bar mower. They are very slow to use and do not condition the hay in any way, therefore require longer drying time. .

Sickle-bar Mower Conditioner (haybine) – These machines both mow the hay and crimp the hay stems to accelerate drying time. The stems are crimped by rollers or stripped by metal flails. Depending on where you live and what type of hay you harvest you have to study the type that best suits your needs. Usually the rollers are best for alfalfa, less leaf loss and flail mower-conditioners are best for grasses. These mowers can move fairly quickly through the hay at speeds of between 4-6 MPH in most fields. Sickle teeth are fairly cheap, but can sometimes take some time to replace.

Discbine -These machines are very efficient and they also both mow the hay and crimp the hay stems to accelerate drying time. A discbine can mow hay up to speeds of 10 MPH. Discs are often easy to replace, but more expensive than sickle blades. Also, rocky fields can cause a great deal of damage to disc blades and if safety skirting is not used can throw rocks at high speed.

Tedders

Many smaller operations overlook this extremely useful tool. A tedder spreads and fluffs the crop allowing air to flow and through the crop to accelerate drying time. In the wetter more humid regions a tedder may be just the ticket to get your crop to dry a faster. Tedders are not very expensive and can do wonders to get day or two jump on baling. In some regions this can help you get the crop in before that next rain. But, remember if it is too dry you will loose a great deal of leaves with alfalfa. These can be pull type or mount on a three point hitch.

Rakes

A hay rake picks the hay up off of the ground and puts it in a windrow. A windrow is where the hay is piled up in rows through the field. If the timing is wrong when the operator rakes the hay it could make or break the hay crop. If the hay is to wet when raked it will not dry when raked into windrows. If the hay is to dry it will cause the hay to loose its leaves when knocked around by the rake.

There are three main types of hay rake, rolabar or parallel bar rake, rotary rake, and wheel rakes. Depending on the crop and region one is just right for you. The rolabar is cheap but slow to use. Wheel rakes come in all sizes, very large one are used in big operations. They can rake very quickly, but are hard to use in small fields. Rotary rakes are fast and efficient but are higher in price.

Balers

Picking the right time to bale is very important. Hay can be too wet or too dry. Some regions bale in evening and early morning to have some moisture to maintain leaves and other can only bale in the middle of the day due to high humidity. Towards evening the hay will dampen causing it to be tough for the baler to bale.

Depending on the customer or type of hay different balers are used. Smaller operations and those that feed horses or cater to smaller farms bale small bales. These are easier to transport and store in small. Big square bales are a favorite for those transporting large distances or selling to dairy operations. Baling can be done faster. Depending on the region and humidity, different size large bale systems are available. For the many who feed there own hay the round baler is the best solution. Round bales can be wrapped for haylage, use twine, or plastic netwrap which protects the hay bales better. Round bales can moved with a tractor with a bale spike and loaded into feeders.

Bundling Bales/Accumulators

From a one man operation to a large commercial enterprise bundling bales or using an accumulator can save time and money in the long run. It is also a bit easier on the back. A few companies exist that will bundle a number of bales into a square that can be loaded on a flat bed or wagon, or put inside a cargo trailer for more distant shipment. They can be expensive and are seen on larger operations. Also, gaining in popularity are bale accumulators of all shapes and sizes. The accumulator lays the hay bales down in groups for easy retrieval later on. This is done with a “bale grabber” for easy loading. All of these are great tools when applied correctly to your operational needs.