Haybine with front mower?

Builder · Aug 15, 2010

Can a small haybine (like a NH self propelled windrower) be equipped with a cutter head that simply cuts like big front mower? It would be used to cut right of ways, large fields, etc. as an alternative to a bush hog. The cuttings would not be used for hay, just left there, as one would with a bush hog.

Reason for asking is I have an opportunity to buy a self propelled haybine to cut hay for a customer. If a front "mower" was available, maybe it could be a more versatile machine and i could use for mowing large areas???

AKfish · Aug 16, 2010

Some of the newer models of swathers (self-propelled haybine) have rotary disc mower heads. The older self-propelled models have sickle-bar cutting heads.

The disc mowers are a considerably more capable mower platform than the older, sickle-bar platforms.

However, they're a pretty expensive piece of equipment - in the $25-35K range!

I don't think you'd really want to run your swather down a right-of-way... A productive hay field is really just a notch or two removed from a nice lawn - IMO. A right-of-way is another critter all-together different!!

Self-propelled swathers are not rugged, terrain crawling, brush busters!

Too bad you can't cut hay with a FECON mulcher head!

AKfish

Builder · Aug 16, 2010

AKfish said:
Some of the newer models of swathers (self-propelled haybine) have rotary disc mower heads. The older self-propelled models have sickle-bar cutting heads.

The disc mowers are a considerably more capable mower platform than the older, sickle-bar platforms.

However, they're a pretty expensive piece of equipment - in the $25-35K range!

I don't think you'd really want to run your swather down a right-of-way... A productive hay field is really just a notch or two removed from a nice lawn - IMO. A right-of-way is another critter all-together different!!

Self-propelled swathers are not rugged, terrain crawling, brush busters!

Too bad you can't cut hay with a FECON mulcher head!

AKfish

OK, thanks. I thought the view from a small haybine is really good for visibility & safety and having a mower out front would be great. I guess the problem would be anything thrown back at the cab glass wouldn't be good!

aczlan · Aug 16, 2010

I have seen Swathers converted to snowblowers (in Farmshow), but not converted to to run a bushhog. I dont see why it wouldnt work, but you would have to see if the underbelly is protected enough to handle bushhogging.

Aaron Z

flusher · Aug 31, 2010

Builder said:
Can a small haybine (like a NH self propelled windrower) be equipped with a cutter head that simply cuts like big front mower? It would be used to cut right of ways, large fields, etc. as an alternative to a bush hog. The cuttings would not be used for hay, just left there, as one would with a bush hog.

Reason for asking is I have an opportunity to buy a self propelled haybine to cut hay for a customer. If a front "mower" was available, maybe it could be a more versatile machine and i could use for mowing large areas???

I assume you want to chop the cuttings up into small lengths like a brush hog does instead of leaving long cuttings on the ground like the windrower normally does when mowing a hayfield.

I'd adapt a pair of pto-driven 6-ft flail mowers arranged side-by-side on the front of the windrower. It would take a good deal of modification, but I don't see any show stoppers. You could try it with two inexpensive flails like Caroni or Value Leader models. Be sure to include some protective structure to keep stuff from hitting you in the face.

Builder · Aug 31, 2010

Today while driving past one of my local hayfields, I saw a MASSIVE hay cutting machine. It looked like a hybrid between a harvester and a "cab forward" type tractor with 3 big mowers on front. Incredible machine. Blew through hay like it wasn't there. Left 2 or 3 windrows behind it. Only got a glimpse of it, but it was massive. Must have cost 200 grand or more.

Got me to thinking if someone made a haybine type machine with "interchangeable" heads. One could be used for hay, the other to cut fields. Would be a way to save money. One cab-forward machine with 2 different heads.

Duffster · Aug 31, 2010

Builder said:
Today while driving past one of my local hayfields, I saw a MASSIVE hay cutting machine. It looked like a hybrid between a harvester and a "cab forward" type tractor with 3 big mowers on front. Incredible machine. Blew through hay like it wasn't there. Left 2 or 3 windrows behind it. Only got a glimpse of it, but it was massive. Must have cost 200 grand or more.

Got me to thinking if someone made a haybine type machine with "interchangeable" heads. One could be used for hay, the other to cut fields. Would be a way to save money. One cab-forward machine with 2 different heads.

Something like this?

Not sure how a SP mower could be justified for misc. mowing. The reason for mowers like the one pictured is mowing huge amounts of hay FAST in a weather and quality window of only a few days.

I think that operator needs longer pants.:laughing:

Builder · Aug 31, 2010

Duffster said:
Something like this?

Not sure how a SP mower could be justified for misc. mowing. The reason for mowers like the one pictured is mowing huge amounts of hay FAST in a weather and quality window of only a few days.

I think that operator needs longer pants.:laughing:

Yep, that was it. First time I saw one. They usually just have a standard haybine. I see that one is European (license plate).

What I was thinking is a smaller haybine with just one front cutterhead for hay, then an interchangeable front head that cuts right of ways. My guess is flying debris would be a problem.

JasG · Sep 1, 2010

I don't know how this will work, but here is a link to images. Ford/new Hollan makes a bidirectional tractor. You can get all kinds of attachments for, from mower to loaders. I think it never caught on due to under powered for its size, but a neat idea.

New holland bidirectional tractor - Google Search