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Cutting old hay

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keith

05-13-2003 19:07:23




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I bought a hay field that was planted clover and grass mix a couple of years ago. It did not get cut last year and there is some tall dead growth. I have a nh 479 haybine will I be able to cut it without too much trouble? I am looking for suggestions.




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Ernie Bob

05-14-2003 22:25:41




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 Re: cutting old hay in reply to keith, 05-13-2003 19:07:23  
Kieth,
I found that there are several things that I do with my NH 461, I make sure the guards are lined up with each other, the clips are holding the sicle down snug(not tight), the knives are in a good & sharp condition, raise the cutter bar a tad bit and slow the ground speed down. It saves a lot of head aches to do 30 minutes af prep rather than mowing and backing up every 40-50 yards to clean out hay jams. I also find that this is a good area for the old mouse nests and they are not quite the problem if I take that extra few minutes to get the cutter bar working at it's best.

Good luck!
Ernie Bob

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Bill

05-14-2003 07:32:39




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 Re: cutting old hay in reply to keith, 05-13-2003 19:07:23  
hey you and that guy in above post need to get together with that rotary sycthe, it loved that grass stuff,,Bill



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Hugh MacKay

05-14-2003 03:05:12




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 Re: cutting old hay in reply to keith, 05-13-2003 19:07:23  
Keith: Pick a day when it hasn't rained for about 3 days and preferably with a nice breeze blowing. This will tend to have a drying effect on edge as you make each round. This probably will not go as smooth as most mowing. Some species of grasses or legumes will go better than others. You may find this a piece of cake, or you could find it a good job for breaking in a clergyman. At least you may have the words.

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JMS/MN

05-13-2003 21:46:22




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 Re: cutting old hay in reply to keith, 05-13-2003 19:07:23  
Should be no problem, but if it is, just slow down the ground speed, and keep the pto at normal rpm.



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Sid

05-13-2003 22:00:07




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 Re: Re: cutting old hay in reply to JMS/MN, 05-13-2003 21:46:22  
If you slow down the ground speed remember to slow the reel speed to match the ground speed.



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dhermesc

05-14-2003 06:17:38




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 Re: Re: Re: cutting old hay in reply to Sid, 05-13-2003 22:00:07  
Worst (hay) mess I have ever deal with was 640 acres of prairi hay ground my dad rented in the early 80's. The previous renter had swathed a major portion of it and never baled it, the rest wasn't even cut. The biggest problem we had where all the BEES that had nested in the old winrows. We also learned how quickly trees spring up.



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dhermesc

05-14-2003 06:16:08




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 Re: Re: Re: cutting old hay in reply to Sid, 05-13-2003 22:00:07  
Worst (hay) mess I have ever deal with was 640 acres of prairi hay ground my dad rented in the early 80's. The previous renter had swathed a major portion of it and never baled it, the rest wasn't even cut. The biggest problem we had where all the BEES that had nested in the old winrows. We also learned how quickly trees spring up.



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Gary in TX

05-13-2003 21:35:04




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 Re: cutting old hay in reply to keith, 05-13-2003 19:07:23  
Keith,
I custom bale in north central texas and have many an hour in front of a 469 and 488 haybine.
I'm putting hours in front of a 1380 Deere hydroswing now as well as my 469. Now too your question, I don't think you will have a problem one as long as you don't try to rush it. Let it take its time and do a good cut for you. Do you have a fresh sharp knife in it? I would be sure to do that if nothing else to prepare for it. They have been known to catch hay and fill up the underside of the hood over the rollers, at least the 469 of mine does occasionally, could be the splits in the forming shields causing it too. I have replacements, just have to get the nerve to put them on. I think you can do a good job with what you have in mind. You will know sooon enough, just get out there and go to town and have fun.

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Kelly C

05-13-2003 20:25:35




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 Re: cutting old hay in reply to keith, 05-13-2003 19:07:23  
I was thinking of doing that also. I thought I might cut it with a bush hog the 1st time to mulch up all the dead grass.



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Sid

05-13-2003 19:53:32




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 Re: cutting old hay in reply to keith, 05-13-2003 19:07:23  
My experience with grass like you are talking about will give you some problems. The old dead grass will want to catch on your gaurd and build up to the point it will run over the grass. Two things I recomend make sure the dead grass is dry and run cutter bar a little high. It will get the job done but I do not think it will be trouble free mowing.



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Don-WI

05-13-2003 19:19:13




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 Re: cutting old hay in reply to keith, 05-13-2003 19:07:23  
Shouldn't be any problem. Every year we cut swamp /canary grass out of 2 swamps, every now and then we miss a year and get it the next. Doesn't cause any major problems, just in the thick spots our machine will plug up, but a hay field won't have 7-8' grass growing in it, atleast as thick as a swamp. We have a 9' New Idea Mow/ditioner, also sold as the Ford 535.
Donovan from Wisconsin



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