The Life of a Custom Mowing contractor

[Hay Dude]

The Krone square baler can handle much larger, but those windrows look deceptively small. They were raked yesterday (mushroom hay) and not as fluffy and tall looking as newly raked windrows.

 

[Hay Dude]

some raking & baling today.
Another 85* sunny day.

 

[Hay Dude]

Started off the day doing some roadside bank mowing for a private property owner.

While we were mowing, we had hay drying on a different property down the road. Once the mowing was done, we baled up some mushroom hay …..

One thing you really want is a real heavy bale. I have density set at 85%, resulting in almost a 1900lb bale. You are paid by the ton, but you get docked for any moisture levels above 20%

 

[mrmikey]

Hey Hd, awesome pics as always.
Your second pic of mowing on the road with the cars going by brought to mind a couple of incidents DOT had when they started using a batwing mowing the median. They had two New Holland's, a TV140 and a 145 as they had a reversable operators station and they used the machines for snowblowing in the winter. Somertime tires were forrerstry and winders were ...well....winters . As I was leaving they were attempting to buy a new one but they were out of production. Only one that had a comparable configuration was either a Claas or a Fendt, can't remember which but the price made it a no go.
Before I left they had two incidents of windows on passing vehicles being hit by flying rocks. Both times this was on a 100 series hwy with speed limits of 110KPH. Never heard of the outcome of either incident and it wasn't from not trying.
Saying that, it may have been stopped by using a double row of 3/8 chains around the perimeter of each deck as that's how any roadside mowing equipment was spec'd.

 

[Hay Dude]

Cut 45 acres of past-its’-prime hay in miserable conditions today. Light rain and only 63 degrees.
I’ve never seen it this cold here on June 16th, ever.

On my way to next field. Mowers all trashed-up with wet clippings. Cruising through our little village. I want to go home.

 

[LHF2019]

I would prefer 60's over 80's. Could do without the rain though. They are opening up a large window for us starting about Thursday-Tuesday. Hoping it holds. GFS still has a couple glitches in that time frame.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a lot down & “dryin”. Soggy mess.
Doubt I can get it all baled up, but thats the goal.

 

[Hay Dude]

Here’s a few from yesterday. This is my biggest single field. About 3/4 mile long and 1/2 mile wide. Random hedgerows and tree islands. Its a joy to cut.

 

[LHF2019]

Here’s a few from yesterday. This is my biggest single field. About 3/4 mile long and 1/2 mile wide. Random hedgerows and tree islands. Its a joy to cut.

View attachment 3635657

Look at that no sun. What a familiar sight. Haven't looked at my rain gauge yet but the weather site says another inch last night for me. Had ducks where I took those couple bales off from. We had a 4 day window that is quickly narrowing to 3. Won't know more until tomorrow and even then rain Friday night forecasted.

 

[Rustyiron]

It's a tough year for dry hay!
My friend makes baleage and wraps it for his beef cows but likes to make as much dry hay, (small squares) as he can for sale for the hobby critters and family cow types. They just can't handle or deal with the weight of round silage bales.
That doesn't mean he can cut and bale immediately, it still has to dry down a little (I don't remember the %) and that's even giving him a little trouble!