Baled hay

grandpa Love · May 5, 2020

Cut 5-6 acres out of that 40 our church friend offered. Little hilly. But good grass hay. 98 bales. Half the field was crap, I guess the horses that were there a couple years ago spent most of the time on that side very little grass. Other half was nice. My dad drove over to help.

Jim.ME · May 5, 2020

I have noticed in several of your postings you rake counterclockwise. Have you tried going the other direction when you are raking? Roll the back swath in (travel counterclockwise) then turn and roll almost a full rake width out onto it, making one windrow. Then continue working clockwise around the field. I find it cleaner to minimize travel on the downed hay and to travel on and pull hay away from the laying hay than trying to clean the laying hay away from a rolled windrow. We often leave the outside window to last and bale it counterclockwise if it is too near the tree or fence line. Also if the hay is light set in 2 or 3 swathes make the two or three passes needed to roll them out to make one larger windrow. (Same distance/fuel to rake a field, but less distance traveled, fuel, and run time on the baler.) Just my experience, each to his own. Enjoy and have fun with the family.

formerly ny bill · May 5, 2020

first off, Kevin, you timed your post to the Fives- 5:05PDT on 5/5. that must have taken some effort. as to the hay, way ahead of us. we can't get enough warmth here to get grass growing. usually, cows can be turned out to graze by May 1. this year, the only thing taking off is some quackgrass. I spread urea last Sunday, just ahead of an inch of rain, and it has been so cool since, that things haven't jumped at all.

JK-NY · May 5, 2020

That looks like some pretty good grass hay, better than the first piece. As NyBill said you are way ahead of us up here in the
northeast.The umbrella is a good idea to keep the sun off.I have rigged an umbrella in a similar way on the tractors. I have
canopies on the 2 that have rops . Its been 30+ years since I baled with my 960.

Geo-TH,In · May 5, 2020

Friend with 10 acre horse ranch has 3
horses and he claims grass hay is best
for his horses. No clue why.

George

730virgil · May 5, 2020

I hope to turn cows soon I am tired of feeding hay but we need some warm weather for grass to grow

showcrop · May 6, 2020

Jim is right you want to rake clockwise. This ensures that you are turning all of the swath, which is very important when hay is heavier. Horses on pasture will always graze what they like down to nothing so that it dies and the pooere stuff grows better.

Traditional Farmer · May 6, 2020

You need to keep looking for a New Holland 256 rake it'll rake cleaner,more even and you don't have to do any fancy maneuvering to get a nice windrow just rake the first round counter clockwise and then back clockwise to butt the two together.If you want more hay in the windrow go a 2nd or 3rd time around counterclockwise.

Baled hay

grandpa Love

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Jim.ME

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formerly ny bill

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JK-NY

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Geo-TH,In

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730virgil

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showcrop

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Traditional Farmer

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