Second, you don’t want to leave any crop behind, and it’s also important to minimize dirt in the crop.” “First, you want a good, clean cut that will leave the plants with as little stem damage as possible, so they’re ready for quick regrowth. “No matter what machine is being used, there are several things people should strive for when they cut hay,” explains Morrell. Disc mowers offer the advantage of allowing hay to be cut earlier in the morning or later in the evening, when better leaf moisture means less loss of nutrient-rich leaves. Modern sickle-type or disc-type mowers, windrowers and swathers are capable of cutting forage crops fast and cleanly, leaving a smooth, even windrow that maximizes crop dry-down. The demands of the environment and the individual operation also will influence the choice in equipment used. As daytime air temperatures rise, sugar content in the plant decreases, so cutting later in the morning or early afternoon results in lower hay quality. Research has shown that hay quality is higher when hay is cut while the sugar content remains higher in the plant. “Cutting hay is often dictated by the environment and the hay-drying conditions, but a general rule is to cut after the dew is gone and when topsoil is dry, to reduce soil compaction and facilitate better drying of the crop,” says Dean Morrell, AGCO product marketing manager for Hesston by Massey Ferguson hay products and a 35-year-veteran of the quality-hay business. Following are some helpful reminders as producers go into the 2013 production season. Timing, technique and equipment all play important roles in success. Whether producing hay for your own use or to sell, making the most of the available crop begins with cutting. Didn't have the Bridgeport then, if I was to do it again I'd build up with weld, then use the Bridgeport to get a perfectly round hole.With alfalfa acres uncertain after the 2012 drought and both grass and alfalfa hay inventories low in many areas, brisk demand for high-quality hay is expected again in 2013. Took the wire welder and built up the wore spot then used a die grinder to make it round again. I did have something similar on a grain platform though, had a 3/4' bolt thru it and the hole was egg shaped, never broke the bolt but was impossible to keep tight. Thats another possibility I hadn't thought of as our New Holland never had that, bolts would last long enough to wear a few of the bushings out in the sickle head then snap. If you could rivet it somehow that would take up the slack in the worn holes. Probably slightly worn holes allowing the bolts to wear and then break. Also check the register on the sickle and make sure if any adjustment is available that it is adjusted correctly. Also make sure you don't have any guards bend up from hitting rocks, stones, or other obstructions. Make sure you have good guards, sections and that the knife back isn't wore. Would usually eat up the rubber bushings in the knife head then every couple of bushings would shear the grade 8 bolt that connected the knife head to the box. If it's the bolt that connects the knife head to the wobble box it was a common problem with the 495 as well. Is it the bolts that hold the wobble box to the frame or the bolt that connects the knife to the wobble box? We used to have a New Holland 495, was a 12' cut but with a single wobble box unlike the 499 which used dual 6' sickles with dual wobble boxes.
UT done a test on the recovery time on orchard grass cutting it at 1 inch compared to 4 inches and it was unreal how much faster it started growing than the grass cut close. We have started cutting about 4 inches high and it has helped a bunch with keeping a good stand of grass. Also the quality of hay you are cutting can help help you decide whether you need the1110 or a disc mower. It will be a lot slower than a disc mower. I would check it out and if it has been well maintained I would not be afraid of it. Dad uses the 1110 all the time and it does a great job crimping the hay. Hesston 1010 hydroswing swather discussion in the Implement Alley forum at Yesterday's Tractors. Hard to see, but here are my rollers, before.
Timing the rolls is not hard, nor setting the gap, but you will need a manual to do it. Each listing with your parts book or service manual.
Hesston 1014 Series Hydro-Swing Mower Conditioner. Lease verify eash listing with your parts book or service manual.