Monday, July 6, 2009

Intermediate Step in Trilogy - Testing the Baler

Sunday, July 5, 2009: Today was spent in trial and error mode to test the hay baler. The field test in the small area resulted in a single bale being tied. More adjustments were done, but only the top knots were in the twine during the morning testing. A quick shower moved through during the early afternoon and that gave me another block of time to try to adjust the knotters. A final late day test resulted in the outside twine 'sometimes' tying a knot, but breaking loose and no knots anywhere for the inside string. Back to the Operator's Guide and try it all again another day!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

The Trilogy Continues -- Part II -- Raking Windrows


Friday, July 3, 2009: Part II. Raking the Windrows.

The cut grass was ready to be rolled over a couple of times. Just have to combine a couple of the thin rows and turn over the heavy ones so the bottom can dry. The most difficult part of the smaller paddocks is there is a lot of turning around needed to rake the rows together.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Beginning of the Trilogy: Swathing, Raking, Baling


I. Swathing: (July 2, 2009)

The first phase of the three step grass processing began today. I swathed the winter paddock and corral and the area around where the baler, swather, trailer, and other equipment resides. This is step one of the trilogy that goes into making hay. I need to rake during the next day or so, and then see if the baler is going to work. Since I broke the needles on the baler late during the last baling season, I need to see if the replaced needles will work. Actually using the equipment is really the only way to test it. So, hopefully, the needle action will be correct, knots will be tied, and hay bales will drop out of the back of the baler. I should know the result in a couple of days!