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Mosin9130 
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Joined: 23 Jul 2012
Location: North Texas
Points: 136
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 Topic: Brush Cutter Windrows
Posted: Yesterday at 1:25pm |
Needing some advice here guys. I have a new Deere RC 8M pull type brush cutter (solid deck w/ 2 spindles) that I use on the D19 gas. Wonderful mowing combination and brush cutting is my favorite thing to do on the farm!
However, the most frustrating thing is that the mower leaves behind two windrows. Am I doing something wrong here? Or, is this just how dual spindles cutters work? What gets me is that when the highway right-aways are cut (yes, typically 15-20' batwings), it looks so nice and well cut with no windrows whereas my pasture looks horrible. Would a batwing configuration solve this problem?
Edited by Mosin9130 - Yesterday at 1:26pm
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'56 WD 45...'63 D15 II...'66 D17 IV
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Lars(wi)
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Permian Basin
Points: 7116
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Posted: Yesterday at 1:55pm |
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Are running the engine at the PTO mark on the tachometer? Don’t be a putt putt around the pasture just a little above idle, open that mother up!
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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Michael V (NM)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: NM
Points: 2388
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Posted: 21 hours 21 minutes ago at 5:05pm |
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Hmmm,, JD musta changed the rotation direction,, my antique JD 707 mower throws the windrow to the middle,,,unless ya go in reverse, then it throws them to the outside,thats at full PTO rpm. It's a similar mower, only its a 14' cut
I have a 5 or 6' bush hog that is a single blade and throws a windrow also,, so,,, maybe that's just the nature of the beast..?
Don't know how the hiway dept. does thiers,, but around here they cut pretty high,,,like 6 inches or more so the windrows don't show as much...
Edited by Michael V (NM) - 21 hours 15 minutes ago at 5:11pm
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 30796
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Posted: 11 hours 1 minutes ago at 3:25am |
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My 8’ Bush Hog has twin blade gears and only windrows when ran too slow, at PTO rpm it leaves disorganized cuttings.
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klinemar
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Points: 7985
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Posted: 9 hours 6 minutes ago at 5:20am |
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There are more than one factors for leaving a window. My disc mower conditioner will leave strips in certain conditions, height of crop being cut,ground speed and sharpness of blades. PTO speed can contribute by not throwing the discharge properly. Also moisture either in dew on the crop or greener crop. You will just have to experiment and find the right combination.
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Mosin9130
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Joined: 23 Jul 2012
Location: North Texas
Points: 136
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Posted: 3 hours 14 minutes ago at 11:12am |
I think you all may be on to something with PTO speed being the driving factor. On my D19, the needle is in the 540 range but on the low side. "Giving it more gas" doesn't move it any further into the zone so maybe the mower isn't turning as sufficient as it should.
Thinking back on when I was cutting a bunch of Johnson grass, I don't remember it leaving windrows but I did slow down some but, that grass is "stem'ier" than the prairie grass in the picture above. Reading through forums and watching a YT video or two, the question (debate) of sharpening brush cutter blades was discussed alot and of course, PTO speed. I'm betting that 1) my blades need a sharpening and 2) my PTO speed needs to increase.
As for #1, the debate was that if you cut brush, the duller the better whereas if it's pasture grass, the sharper the better. Most of my cutting involves areas that have already been cleared of brush and it's just grass so sharpening makes sense. Some said a good "brush" blade is 1/8" at the edge while a "grass" blade is below 1/16" at the edge (as sharpened).
For #2, I need to look at the D19 more and if see if there is something limiting me getting to that ideal 540 zone. I can put another tractor on to test it. Thinking about the highway crews, there is no doubt they wind those mowers up at full throttle and let 'em rip.
Edited by Mosin9130 - 3 hours 13 minutes ago at 11:13am
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'56 WD 45...'63 D15 II...'66 D17 IV
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jaybmiller
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 22297
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Posted: 2 hours 60 minutes ago at 11:26am |
Anyone who says 'dull is better' has NEVER shaved with a very,very slightly dull straight razor....... 
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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Mosin9130
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Joined: 23 Jul 2012
Location: North Texas
Points: 136
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Posted: 2 hours 10 minutes ago at 12:16pm |
Haha, isn't that the truth and why I go thru shaving blades like I own stock with them.
Had something to do with leaving a "shattered cut" across the brush stem that would aid in killing it vs a nice razor cut. I'm assuming "duller is better" meant something along the lines of "less sharp" like one is used to on a lawnmower.
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'56 WD 45...'63 D15 II...'66 D17 IV
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