The Life of a Custom Mowing contractor

[Duds13]

I dunno…. What did you hear?
Thats about 80 miles west of me.
I’m on the PA/DE border.

Bad situation yesterday. When I made my post there weren't a lot of details out and wasn't sure how close you were to the situation

 

[LouNY]

Today was one of those days that’ll make a man out of you.
Was cutting hay in some drizzle, then this happened.

The vertical strut connecting the cutterbar to the mower chassis experienced “metal fatigue” and simply broke off.


View attachment 4097000

Called Agriteer/Pottinger parts and they said thats a known problem area and there’s a replacement kit- “only” $631 per side for updated, beefed-up supports. Pottinger offering them to me for 50% off since they have had numerous failures. Service advises replacing both sides, especially since mine are the older/weaker version. Luckily the cutterbar is still ok and the driveshaft, although a little beat-up is probably going to be fine.

THEY have to install it to receive discount of course. And at “only $150/hr. I guess I can’t complain too much.

Another view

View attachment 4097001


Closeup of where the metal fatigue is

View attachment 4097002

Prop shaft seems ok

View attachment 4097003

Good luck with the repair/upgrade hope they get it done promptly and reasonably.

 

[workinonit]

3 state troopers dead and 2 injured.

 

[Hay Dude]

3 state troopers dead and 2 injured.

Saw that late last night!

 

[Hay Dude]

So it turns out the vertical prop shaft is toast. Splines are all carved up. Have to buy the whole assembly.
Bad day for HD.

 

[Hay Dude]

Back at it today now that the rain has passed.

A little raking around 12 o'clock while East Penn pulls a load nearby.

And now some baling….

And some stacking to finish the day.

 

[Hay Dude]

We’re in “beast mode” now. The weather has been good for a few days and finally getting into a good rhythm of raking & baling.

Finished the day by dropping another 25 acres.

 

[anomad]

Are you getting caught up on bale count at all? I recall you were finding yourself short this year compared to normal. Whatever "normal" is for weather these days.

 

[Hay Dude]

Are you getting caught up on bale count at all? I recall you were finding yourself short this year compared to normal. Whatever "normal" is for weather these days.

Getting closer, yes.
Another reason my bale count is lower is because I increased my balers pressure from 85% last year to 95% this year. I was running a lower pressure last year because I was having twine failure. I tried a cheaper twine (Field Ready) and really paid the price. Lots of knot failures.
I am back to running the good stuff (Bridon) and will never run anything else again, but Bridon.
Anyway, higher pressure means more hay in each bale and heavier bales, but less of them.
I prefer to run this way. It’s more efficient to make 1800LB avg bales than 1700LB avg bales.

“Normal” weather around here is usually pretty tough weather to make hay. It’s either raining every 3-5 days, or very dry. We’ve had a pretty good stretch lately. About 8-9 days with no rain.

 

[LHF2019]

Getting closer, yes.
Another reason my bale count is lower is because I increased my balers pressure from 85% last year to 95% this year. I was running a lower pressure last year because I was having twine failure. I tried a cheaper twine (Field Ready) and really paid the price. Lots of knot failures.
I am back to running the good stuff (Bridon) and will never run anything else again, but Bridon.
Anyway, higher pressure means more hay in each bale and heavier bales, but less of them.
I prefer to run this way. It’s more efficient to make 1800LB avg bales than 1700LB avg bales.

Is that only your mulch hay portion or also what you sell personally? If what you sell personally do you price accordingly?