Anyone mow hay yet?

[dieselscout80]

I don't. I use a HF/Bauer 20 volt battery operated blower I keep behind the seat. I am planning on converting to a 12 volt large diameter reversable fan (already have them) and totally remove the engine driven (power robbing) mechanical fans. Got a pair of large diameter 14" from Summit Racing btw.

Please let us know how the electric fans work.

I didn’t think they moved as much air as an engine belt driven fan.

 

[LHF2019]

All this talk about deer and I want to exterminate them here. Nothing more than varmints. Hunting should be a challenge. I should not be able to guarantee seeing deer ever day I go out. 3 days of hunting at less than 10 hours standing in one place I had over 80 to my count when I took mine couple years ago. Mower does eradicate a few of them.

 

[Hay Dude]

I take out plenty of deer down here with the mower. I don’t like it, but it’s an unavoidable consequence.

I had someone give me chit about killing a deer once, I set them straight. Asked him if he drove a car “yes”. I asked him if he ever hit a deer or saw other cars hit a deer “yes”.
The conversation ended.

 

[5030]

When you run them through the crimp rolls, they get pre-pared for the Yoyes to consume...lol.

Got another 1/2" last night here but supposed to be good for 9 days now.

Strange spring weather.

 

[5030]

I didn’t think they moved as much air as an engine belt driven fan.

Comparing the delivered CFM at speed (and they run at maximum RPM when energized, unlike engine driven fans), they deliver more CFM, not less plus the ones I bought are electrically reverseable so I won't need to carry my HF cordless blower behind the seat, hopefully. JD has had that feature for a while now I believe.

It's going to be involved and when I embark on it, I'll start another thread just for that. First off, I'll have to remove the belt driven fan and hub and get shorter bolts so I can remove the spacer (on my Kubota's), then I may have to increase the output of the alternator on my open station M9, which has a 40 amp alternator to a 70 amp because the fans pull 10 amps at running speed, no issue as the larger 70 amp alternator will bolt up (same engine, same mounts), then I'll have to fabricate mounts for the fans, themselves and I'll add a double pole double throw switch on the dash so I can reverse the fan at my discretion to blow out chaff as needed. I have the fans, the switch and I'll still have to fabricate the mounts which will be this winter, not now.

I have no idea how much parasitic loss a mechanical driven fan consumes but I've read that in automotive applications, a mechanical driven fan consumes about 15 horsepower average and if you notice, all modern vehicles today have gotten away from mechanically driven fans and went to 12 volt cooling fans on the radiators instead. That should tell you something right there. Much more efficient and rob no horsepower so you get added power because of no parasitic loss from the mechanical fan.

Like I said, I might have to increase the alternator output on the open station, but that is no big deal as the mounts on the OS tractor are the same as the cab tractor. Just switch out the alternator for a higher output one. I'll take any increase in power output and fuel efficiency, no issue with me. I figure with bracketry and fans and switch gear, I might have 150 bucks in each. Gonna do the OS first, then the cab tractor and possibly my F series Kubota mower as well. They all have mechanical, hard mount fans (no fan clutch). One thing about the F series mower is, I won't have to increase the alternator size because it draws little amperage when running. Only amp draw is the electric fuel pump actually.

Should be an interesting project.

 

[dieselscout80]

Comparing the delivered CFM at speed (and they run at maximum RPM when energized, unlike engine driven fans), they deliver more CFM, not less plus the ones I bought are electrically reverseable so I won't need to carry my HF cordless blower behind the seat, hopefully. JD has had that feature for a while now I believe.

It's going to be involved and when I embark on it, I'll start another thread just for that. First off, I'll have to remove the belt driven fan and hub and get shorter bolts so I can remove the spacer (on my Kubota's), then I may have to increase the output of the alternator on my open station M9, which has a 40 amp alternator to a 70 amp because the fans pull 10 amps at running speed, no issue as the larger 70 amp alternator will bolt up (same engine, same mounts), then I'll have to fabricate mounts for the fans, themselves and I'll add a double pole double throw switch on the dash so I can reverse the fan at my discretion to blow out chaff as needed. I have the fans, the switch and I'll still have to fabricate the mounts which will be this winter, not now.

I have no idea how much parasitic loss a mechanical driven fan consumes but I've read that in automotive applications, a mechanical driven fan consumes about 15 horsepower average and if you notice, all modern vehicles today have gotten away from mechanically driven fans and went to 12 volt cooling fans on the radiators instead. That should tell you something right there. Much more efficient and rob no horsepower so you get added power because of no parasitic loss from the mechanical fan.

Like I said, I might have to increase the alternator output on the open station, but that is no big deal as the mounts on the OS tractor are the same as the cab tractor. Just switch out the alternator for a higher output one. I'll take any increase in power output and fuel efficiency, no issue with me. I figure with bracketry and fans and switch gear, I might have 150 bucks in each. Gonna do the OS first, then the cab tractor and possibly my F series Kubota mower as well. They all have mechanical, hard mount fans (no fan clutch). One thing about the F series mower is, I won't have to increase the alternator size because it draws little amperage when running. Only amp draw is the electric fuel pump actually.

Should be an interesting project.

Sounds like a good plan.

One question for the future is what duty cycle are those electric fans?

 

[5030]

Sounds like a good plan.

One question for the future is what duty cycle are those electric fans?

There isn't one listed on tne carton they came in nor anywhere on the fans themselves. I have been running (for a number of years now) a smaller electric fan against the ac condenser on the cab tractor, it's on it's own switch and I run it all the time when I'm using the tractor with the ac on and no issue with it. Actually did the same thing with our RV but with 4 muffin fans to get the hot air out of the cavity the propane fridge is in and those are on a temp sensitive micro switch that energizes them at 130 degrees and cuts them off at 110.

 

[DJ54]

I only make a little 3.5 acre patch for my horses, but need to get as much as I can. Did pretty good from the looks of it so far today. Very thick and heavy, the old '67 IH 990 still does a great job. It's like me, getting old and tired, but if you don't crowd it too hard it does a great job.

Endophyte free Fescue was a little over mature but everything else is in full bloom. It's a mixed hay, don't need anything too hot for them. About 15% Alfalfa, 10% Timothy, 10%-15% Renovation Clover to provide N, Red clover, Fescue and a bit of Blue Grass round it out.

I had to stop today to get a picture of the Alfalfa, and Timothy. I've never grown Alfalfa this tall standing at 42" tall. Timothy not out of the ordinary but is at a respectable 56". Red Clover where other grass is holding it up to 30"+.

A good harvest for me is 18 550 lb. round bales off of this, guestimating it may make a few more than that, but don't want to count my chickens just yet. Ponies ought to eat well this Winter.

 

[WinterDeere]

Comparing the delivered CFM at speed (and they run at maximum RPM when energized, unlike engine driven fans), they deliver more CFM, not less plus the ones I bought are electrically reverseable so I won't need to carry my HF cordless blower behind the seat, hopefully. JD has had that feature for a while now I believe.

It's going to be involved and when I embark on it, I'll start another thread just for that. First off, I'll have to remove the belt driven fan and hub and get shorter bolts so I can remove the spacer (on my Kubota's), then I may have to increase the output of the alternator on my open station M9, which has a 40 amp alternator to a 70 amp because the fans pull 10 amps at running speed, no issue as the larger 70 amp alternator will bolt up (same engine, same mounts), then I'll have to fabricate mounts for the fans, themselves and I'll add a double pole double throw switch on the dash so I can reverse the fan at my discretion to blow out chaff as needed. I have the fans, the switch and I'll still have to fabricate the mounts which will be this winter, not now.

I have no idea how much parasitic loss a mechanical driven fan consumes but I've read that in automotive applications, a mechanical driven fan consumes about 15 horsepower average and if you notice, all modern vehicles today have gotten away from mechanically driven fans and went to 12 volt cooling fans on the radiators instead. That should tell you something right there. Much more efficient and rob no horsepower so you get added power because of no parasitic loss from the mechanical fan.

Like I said, I might have to increase the alternator output on the open station, but that is no big deal as the mounts on the OS tractor are the same as the cab tractor. Just switch out the alternator for a higher output one. I'll take any increase in power output and fuel efficiency, no issue with me. I figure with bracketry and fans and switch gear, I might have 150 bucks in each. Gonna do the OS first, then the cab tractor and possibly my F series Kubota mower as well. They all have mechanical, hard mount fans (no fan clutch). One thing about the F series mower is, I won't have to increase the alternator size because it draws little amperage when running. Only amp draw is the electric fuel pump actually.

Should be an interesting project.

Sounds like a well-thought-out plan, and I agree you should be able to achieve the required cooling, with an electric fan of similar or higher size and CFM (CFM is product of size and velocity).

But there won't be a substantial reduction in HP load on the engine, for the same effective CFM. The fan load you'll be removing will be approximately added back in increased alternator load.

Still worth it, if it successfully ends the chore of having to blow out the radiator and grill, manually.

 

[Hay Dude]

I only make a little 3.5 acre patch for my horses, but need to get as much as I can. Did pretty good from the looks of it so far today. Very thick and heavy, the old '67 IH 990 still does a great job. It's like me, getting old and tired, but if you don't crowd it too hard it does a great job.

Endophyte free Fescue was a little over mature but everything else is in full bloom. It's a mixed hay, don't need anything too hot for them. About 15% Alfalfa, 10% Timothy, 10%-15% Renovation Clover to provide N, Red clover, Fescue and a bit of Blue Grass round it out.

I had to stop today to get a picture of the Alfalfa, and Timothy. I've never grown Alfalfa this tall standing at 42" tall. Timothy not out of the ordinary but is at a respectable 56". Red Clover where other grass is holding it up to 30"+.

A good harvest for me is 18 550 lb. round bales off of this, guestimating it may make a few more than that, but don't want to count my chickens just yet. Ponies ought to eat well this Winter.

View attachment 874709

Too bad you are so far away. I have a Farmall hood for you.

 

[DJ54]

Too bad you are so far away. I have a Farmall hood for you.

Isn't that the way it always is..??

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Just shredding the hay fields at the farm, no one wants it.

 

[Hay Dude]

Mowing down cow hay!

 

[Hay Dude]

Finally baling with the Challenger MT655E. I can confidently say it’s more comfy than the Magnum and feels more powerful, even though they have similar ratings.

Finishing up a headland.

Only made about 25. Small field and had to work through some minor adjustments.

First few of over 1,000 bales to come (hopefully, fingers crossed). Ran the baler on a lower pressure setting to get things going. This bale is about 1,600LB. Hope to dial up the pressure tomorrow to be more like 1,900LB.

Heres my son in the MT535B and the New Holland wheel rake.

 

[Hay Dude]

Been mowing & baling hay for about 5 days now. Only about 1/4 finished.

Here’s some scenes from today:

Got on this steep hill about 7AM. Looks like there’s a barn swallow in the picture there.

“feeling” for rocks. Im going really slow here cause I know there’s rocks along the old fence. Across the street is the other part of the farm I baled yesterday.

On to another field nearby. This one is small, but it’s flat & much easier to cut.

Exiting the field across the old Conrail Railroad tracks berm from a bye-gone era.

Back to my truck for some cherry kool aid.

Back out on the road to the next field

Last field for today. Great weather albeit kind of windy.

Pulling back into home base. I’m done, for today.

 

[EddieWalker]

Great photos!!!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I hit a turkey nest mowing yesterday. Felt bad for the mama. Still some eggs there, broke 1 or 2.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I hit a turkey nest mowing yesterday. Felt bad for the mama. Still some eggs there, broke 1 or 2.

It happens, at least she moved before the mower got her, on two different occasions in years past I have got the nest and the hen, both times it was first cutting in deep grass and I just couldn't see them, felt bad but sometimes things happen even when you are being as mindful about wildlife as you can.

 

[WinterDeere]

Got stopped behind a line of cars today, because a doe was nursing two fawns in the middle of the road. Apparently the driver at the front of the hold-up has never seen a deer, and even after they'd moved to the shoulder, seemed to just sit there watching them for several minutes... while the rest of us waited stuck in a line behind them.

Deer are smart enough to move out of the way, when you creep forward, and apply some intimidation. These fawns were not very young, and were totally agile and mobile. Anyone with some deer experience would have had all three of them safely off the road in seconds, but this idiot managed to get one doe separated from mama and sibling, meaning some future driver is going to have some swerving to do.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

It happens, at least she moved before the mower got her, on two different occasions in years past I have got the nest and the hen, both times it was first cutting in deep grass and I just couldn't see them, felt bad but sometimes things happen even when you are being as mindful about wildlife as you can.

dad said he got a newborn fawn a couple weeks ago, didn't see it until next pass..