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

[Tx Jim]

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.

DITTO

 

[rustyshakelford]

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.

If it was easier to swap the wheel hardware between by buggy and tractor I would seriously consider doing this I’d much rather sit back and relax while the tractor turns where it needs and has precise lines than me do it. My gps is compatible with auto steer and wouldn’t take much to set up.

Brett

 

[hawkeye08]

Ok, I've done some reading and have some experience so I'll share my expert "only way it can possibly be done right" method.

Make sure your equipment is well maintained. This includes proper lubrication and sharp blades along with gearbox with proper type and amount of oil. If you have an open station tractor (don't have one of those fancy smancy cabs), then select a time of day when the weather is favorable to your mowing pleasure. Please make sure to take into consideration wind, temp, rain, humidity, etc. It is best to mow in a forward direction maximizing the cutting effect (take a full pass whenever possible). If you are not going to be saving the cut material (such as to feed cows with), then it does not matter how many times you run over material already cut, but while you spend time doing that, you are not able to cut material that has not been cut yet.

Make sure to allow plenty of time to adjust your hearing protection and take on refreshments as needed. It is tempting, but don't give in to the need for speed. Keep your ground speed adjusted such that the ride is not overly bumpy and your tractor rpms such that the mower is running at it recommended speed. Drive around until there is no remaining uncut material in the area you want the material to be cut. Repeat as necessary.

As a final reminder, keep an eye on your gauges, making sure you don't overheat your valuable tractor. It may be necessary to stop on occasion and clean the screen in front of the radiator to prevent over heating. If it is your job, start at daylight and work until dusk. If it is your hobby and you're just keeping the place looking nice, work when you feel like, don't forget your boss (aka wife) may have other timelines in mind when you go out to mow. Tractor time is to be savored, not rushed or taken lightly.

 

[TheMan419]

Ok, I've done some reading and have some experience so I'll share my expert "only way it can possibly be done right" method.

Make sure your equipment is well maintained. This includes proper lubrication and sharp blades along with gearbox with proper type and amount of oil. If you have an open station tractor (don't have one of those fancy smancy cabs), then select a time of day when the weather is favorable to your mowing pleasure. Please make sure to take into consideration wind, temp, rain, humidity, etc. It is best to mow in a forward direction maximizing the cutting effect (take a full pass whenever possible). If you are not going to be saving the cut material (such as to feed cows with), then it does not matter how many times you run over material already cut, but while you spend time doing that, you are not able to cut material that has not been cut yet.

Make sure to allow plenty of time to adjust your hearing protection and take on refreshments as needed. It is tempting, but don't give in to the need for speed. Keep your ground speed adjusted such that the ride is not overly bumpy and your tractor rpms such that the mower is running at it recommended speed. Drive around until there is no remaining uncut material in the area you want the material to be cut. Repeat as necessary.

As a final reminder, keep an eye on your gauges, making sure you don't overheat your valuable tractor. It may be necessary to stop on occasion and clean the screen in front of the radiator to prevent over heating. If it is your job, start at daylight and work until dusk. If it is your hobby and you're just keeping the place looking nice, work when you feel like, don't forget your boss (aka wife) may have other timelines in mind when you go out to mow. Tractor time is to be savored, not rushed or taken lightly.

For those of us for whom it is not a job you forgot the cigar and the beer.

 

[Bigfoot62]

IMHO spitting a field more especially a large field into 2 or more lands just creates ""more corners which requires more time"". Start at outside go round & round then when you get to the middle then mow the corners & your done.

^ Yeah, that!

Now, that's with the rotary cutter. (or a rotary hay mower) You mentioned the possibility of using a sickle mower in the future. Unlike rotary mowers, sickle mowers tend to "train" the crop in one direction. (the direction that you cut) With a sickle mower, you don't want to cut it the same way, over and over, every time. That's one of the many reasons that I don't use a sickle mower any more.

 

[Bigfoot62]

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

:thumbsup: I like it!!!

 

[Tx Jim]

^ Yeah, that!

Now, that's with the rotary cutter. (or a rotary hay mower) You mentioned the possibility of using a sickle mower in the future. Unlike rotary mowers, sickle mowers tend to "train" the crop in one direction. (the direction that you cut) With a sickle mower, you don't want to cut it the same way, over and over, every time. That's one of the many reasons that I don't use a sickle mower any more.

Back in my youth about 60 yrs ago I mowed round & round with a sickle mower & I don't remember anything about the "grass getting trained".

 

[smstonypoint]

Back in my youth about 60 yrs ago I mowed round & round with a sickle mower & I don't remember anything about the "grass getting trained".

In my experience, mowing a yard in the same direction all the time results in the grass developing a "grain." It seems to me that this would occur regardless of whether I use my ZTR or a sickle mower.*

My experience with a sickle mower has been limited to mowing annual lespedeza and black soybeans for hay back in the day (with no opportunity for "training") and the clipping of pastures a couple of times/year. I suspect that the extent of "training" depends on mowing frequency.


Steve

* Edit

Relying on intuition alone, it seems to me that the rotary motion of my ZTR blades might result in more "training" than a sickle mower.:confused3:

 

[RSKY]

I assume we are talking about rough cutting or bushhogging and not finish mowing a yard for appearance. Most of the mowing we do in fields has a time component to it. On the river bottom land the mowing must be done in dry weather or we spend half a day getting a tractor unstuck. Other land we mow is in a CRP program and has to me mowed in strips at a certain time of the year which makes it a total pain in the rear to get done properly.

On the non CRP land I always mow around the field for three or four passes which gives me turning room at the ends. I then mow down the longest straight edge using the brakes at the end to make a tight 180 degree turn and mow down that long side repeatedly. When the field gets narrow enough I start going down both sides and ignore mowing across the ends. Most of the fields we mow are long rectangles and we have found that mowing across the ends actually adds to the total time we spend in each field.

Mowing 24 acres of CRP land in strips, and disking the non mowed part, and a little less than 60 acres of other land takes time and the cooperation of the weather. Especially when you are using two tractors with a 6' and 5' mowers.

RSKY

 

[BTDT2]

In my youth, time was money, but in retirement with an air conditioned tractor making just enough noise to not hear my 'smart' phone I actually look forward to a little bushhogging with the emphasis on 'little'

If you see an orange tractor meandering through a field recutting what has already been cut, or sitting under a tree while the operator drinks his tea, it may well be me