let's discuss the best way to mow a field...

[Norm W]

You might want to look out for woodchuck holes while you are doing your mowing. They can really mess up your day. Had a JD MT get the front end and the front of the engine ripped off. The driver said he knew he was in trouble when he found himself looking down the vertical exhaust pipe. That was when the front came up. When it went down again the front end came off. Plays havoc with mower, baler and wagon wheels too. I've seen some burrows when Charles Rodent must have rented a backhoe.

 

[goeduck]

I mow in a completely random pattern so everyone driving by thinks that I am crazy. That way the County’s finest stay off of my property. ullinghair:ullinghair::jump::jump:

 

[npalen]

You guys don't have GPS steering with programmed cut paths?
Having made that "smart remark", GPS is useful for minimizing sharp turns by "skipping" rows or swaths and no problem with the one foot width left for a 60 ft machine.

 

[smstonypoint]

I mow in a completely random pattern so everyone driving by thinks that I am crazy. That way the County’s finest stay off of my property. ullinghair:ullinghair::jump::jump:

I'm thinking passersby would be correct in their appraisal of the situation.


Steve

 

[MitchellB]

I might try the zamboni pattern next time I mow our small field, but I have always just mowed in a continuous circle around and around the field until I get to the center. Granted once I get to the center circle (usually a triangle for me) I have to then make wider swings that require the mower to go over previous mowed areas to get back on the unmowed grass. That seems to keep the mower cutting the most grass as opposed to going over already cut grass. The zamboni pattern looks to me like it goes over previously mowed sections on both ends to get to the next mowing row meaning more riding than cutting. Might be a good way to disk or plow, but I'll wait until I try mowing next time before I decide if I like it.

 

[gravelman]

just think...self driving tractors soon...we can sit by the fridge and look out the window.

 

[CobyRupert]

what the H is zamboni cutting .

I tried that Zamboni pattern once.....but my tractor broke through the ice and sank!

 

[Gary Fowler]

This subject came up several years ago. As I recall, at least one TBN member used something akin to a Zamboni pattern.

View attachment 553170

Another member said he started in the center of a field and mowed outwards.

I speculate that the most efficient mowing pattern depends on the field's geometry and that the most efficient mowing pattern can be determined by math, given the field's geometry.

Here my speculation ends -- I would advise trail and error.

Steve

This pattern is good for the last bit of mowing but otherwise leaves a lot of turning on already mown pasture. I always start on the outer edge and continue circling inward till I get to a small patch in the center. Then I split it in half and continue mowing in circles just like your diagram. I may end up with a last pass requiring tight turn on the end (if I don't get exactly half of the final patch) but that would be the last turn.
If using a sickle bar or flail mower to cut hay then the same applies, start on the outer edge and work your way to the center.
You have pretty much zero mowing over previously mown area except for mower overlap doing it this way.

 

[Wakey]

That's a new one for me. Any photos of what they look like?

Steve

Good read..

Stump Slung Chitlins: Why Stump Slung Chitlins?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had customers with computerized water jet machines that would optimize a given piece of leather for the parts you wish to cut out in boot making. There must be similar programs for cutting a given field with particular equipment. I'm guessing, the results may be surprising.