Underserrated vs. overserrated vs. smooth

[raasd]

This is my first year of haying some grass and alfalfa and everything has been going pretty well. I have a JD 450 pull type sickle mower, a Allis-Chalmers 77G side delivery rake, and I picked up a gem of a JD 24t baler with less than 15,000 bales on it total. It has been quite a learning process but things are going well. My grandpa has been there helping me out along the way. One question I have is what is the practical difference between underserrated and overserrated sickle sections. I was told by a local guy that smooth sections cut grass better than serrated sections, but don't quite know what difference it would make to be under or overserrated.

Ray

 

[art]

As far as which one cuts grass better, the smooth knife needs the gaurd to have serrated edges.

Originally smooth was used on both the gaurd and section. It was more difficult to keep a good cut with out more sharpening. They went to the gaurds being serrated which helped with the cut. The bottom serrated knife often allow for grass build-up under the knife on the gaurd as it wears. This happens from immature cut grass building up on the gaurd which will lower the cut quality and plug mowers. Good hold downs help but not enough.

The best we have found is with the top serrated on the knife. Cutting hay at appropriate times keeps the secondary growth to a minimum and everything working at it's best.

 

[IHCman]

I use a Rowse double 9' with new holland heads and have always used under serrated sickles. Depends upon the grass and how many mole hills i cut through but I sharpen those every 80 to 160 acres. I also have the hold down clamps that you can tighten down with a wrench. I've tried the over serrated sickles and they work okay in alfalfa or soft cutting grasses but I couldn't make em cut in tough cutting or overripe hard grasses. I've never tried a smooth plate or a serrated guard.