Sickle mower cut time?

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   1)A crimper or conditioner significantly reduces drying time vs just using a sickle bar because it crushes the stems exposing more of the crop to air. In NY, we always used to mow 1 day with the haybine set at the widest swath setting and then would be able to rake up and bale the following afternoon. Running a tedder (we never did) speeds up drying time even more.2)That same crushing action also significantly increases the nutritional value of any crop when feeding since more of it is more readily exposed during digestion. 
For these 2 reasons, whether you decide to mow now or wait another week, I would most definitely recommend the mower/conditioner combo over just a sickle mower.

	This site is not affiliated with AGCO Inc., Duluth GA., Allis-Chalmers Co., Milwaukee, WI., or any surviving or related corporate entity. All trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. All information presented herein should be considered the result of an un-moderated public forum with no responsibility for its accuracy or usability assumed by the users and sponsors of this site or any corporate entity.
	The Forum	Parts and Services	Unofficial Allis Store	Tractor Shows	Serial Numbers	History

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
LionelinKY Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Radcliff,KY Points: 695	Post Options Post Reply Quote LionelinKY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 11:12pm
	1)A crimper or conditioner significantly reduces drying time vs just using a sickle bar because it crushes the stems exposing more of the crop to air. In NY, we always used to mow 1 day with the haybine set at the widest swath setting and then would be able to rake up and bale the following afternoon. Running a tedder (we never did) speeds up drying time even more. 2)That same crushing action also significantly increases the nutritional value of any crop when feeding since more of it is more readily exposed during digestion. For these 2 reasons, whether you decide to mow now or wait another week, I would most definitely recommend the mower/conditioner combo over just a sickle mower.
	"My name is Lionel and I'm an Allisoholic"

Sponsored Links

Hunt4Allis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 13 Mar 2018 Location: Ohio Points: 1160	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hunt4Allis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 8:27pm
	It actually shows rain every day this coming week so I'm tempted to and probably will wait till the following weekend of the 12th of June to cut because it looks more like a dry pattern may persist then... It's only about a 3 acre field but I'll make small square bales from it and use it to finish one of my bulls going to the cut house later this fall Edited by Hunt4Allis - 04 Jun 2021 at 8:30pm

Hunt4Allis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 13 Mar 2018 Location: Ohio Points: 1160	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hunt4Allis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 7:39pm
	Our Hayfield has already got seed at the top of it because of how wet it's been lately and unable to cut. I need to get it cut soon while the forecast is dry the next couple days I'm hoping. If I were to cut it tomorrow without having any kind of crimper or conditioner can it just lay flat as it's been cut for more than a few days? The reason I ask is because the next couple days are dry but then it shows rain in the forecast again so I don't want to cut it and then have it be wasted if getting rained on a couple days will ruin it?