Dave5264
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 25, 2009
- Messages
- 374
- Location
- Near North Ontario Canada
- Tractor
- 08 Montana C5264, 2011 McCormick CX100 XS
OK, for those of you who have done hay for years, this is likely no big deal.
to me, and those who have just done this for the first time, its a big win !
After grenading and subsequently fixing my Baler 2 weeks ago, the weather looked ok for 3 days of sun...so I went for it.
So I got about 5 Acres (of 40) hayed on the weekend, cut friday and raked /baled by EOD on Sunday. got about 120 square bales off.
Friday started a bit rough, went to hook up the Hay-Bine and the PTO shaft was 4" too short for my tractor (lesson learned - try out the equipment well in advance) so I had to rush out and get a PTO shaft extension.
then, Im off to the field, I turn off the Driveway and subsequently jack-knife the Tractor and haybine. After getting too close to the pasture fence, i tried reversing it... it seems they dont like reversing out of a tight 150 degree hair pin (with a newbie at the wheel). After disconnecting the bine, draggin it out backwards, we got hooked up again.
Cutting time...well...i know the first time around the fiield is supposed to be counter clockwise...but....being my first time pulling this machine, and that 2 sides of the filed are bounded by a winding river/creek, i decided to go clockwise, (and I pre bush hogged 10' from the river bank in advance). No point in dumpin' a haybine in the water.
the first 2 rounds of the field -- MESSY -- lots of mohawk stripes and un cut corners.
After that -- I got the hang of it and it was all good.
Raking on sunday was great, the side rake is A much more placid and non threatening piece of machinery.
Baler - well I held my breath for a couple of hrs, after breaking it 2 weeks ago and taking 3 days to figure out how it worked and fixing it, I desperately wanted it to go well....and it did.
So....I have a couple of questions based on the weekend events.
1) Cutting -- after I get 3 or 4 rounds of the outside cut...im supposed to be able to go back and forth in a straight line (I didnt). If i want to try that, do I drive through the Un cut hay? or the cut hay? or does that depend on if im goin gup field or down ? (I just kept going round and worked my way to the middle).
if i go in a straigh line, do I always turn to the right ? ...ie the cut area keeps widening from the center out ?
2) the bales -- I got the baler adjusted to a reasonable desity and bale size. but....I have no hay wagon (we picked them up with an ATV and a Trailer) so they fall off the baler and they seem to bend after the land. if I lift them off the baler, no bending. they are sturdy, you can stand on them with no problem
Is that bending to be expected? ie let them fall off the baler from 4-5' up and thats what you get or am i missing something? I did check the manual for misshaped bales, but my feed is consistent and windrows are good. and the bales look great coming out the baler. Its just after they "land"
----
At the end of the day, nothing like looking at a pile of bales in the barn from your own land ! what a great feeling of accomplishment
thanks to everyone who provided the How to advice a few months ago and thos that gave guidance on fixing the Baler
to me, and those who have just done this for the first time, its a big win !
After grenading and subsequently fixing my Baler 2 weeks ago, the weather looked ok for 3 days of sun...so I went for it.
So I got about 5 Acres (of 40) hayed on the weekend, cut friday and raked /baled by EOD on Sunday. got about 120 square bales off.
Friday started a bit rough, went to hook up the Hay-Bine and the PTO shaft was 4" too short for my tractor (lesson learned - try out the equipment well in advance) so I had to rush out and get a PTO shaft extension.
then, Im off to the field, I turn off the Driveway and subsequently jack-knife the Tractor and haybine. After getting too close to the pasture fence, i tried reversing it... it seems they dont like reversing out of a tight 150 degree hair pin (with a newbie at the wheel). After disconnecting the bine, draggin it out backwards, we got hooked up again.
Cutting time...well...i know the first time around the fiield is supposed to be counter clockwise...but....being my first time pulling this machine, and that 2 sides of the filed are bounded by a winding river/creek, i decided to go clockwise, (and I pre bush hogged 10' from the river bank in advance). No point in dumpin' a haybine in the water.
the first 2 rounds of the field -- MESSY -- lots of mohawk stripes and un cut corners.
After that -- I got the hang of it and it was all good.
Raking on sunday was great, the side rake is A much more placid and non threatening piece of machinery.
Baler - well I held my breath for a couple of hrs, after breaking it 2 weeks ago and taking 3 days to figure out how it worked and fixing it, I desperately wanted it to go well....and it did.
So....I have a couple of questions based on the weekend events.
1) Cutting -- after I get 3 or 4 rounds of the outside cut...im supposed to be able to go back and forth in a straight line (I didnt). If i want to try that, do I drive through the Un cut hay? or the cut hay? or does that depend on if im goin gup field or down ? (I just kept going round and worked my way to the middle).
if i go in a straigh line, do I always turn to the right ? ...ie the cut area keeps widening from the center out ?
2) the bales -- I got the baler adjusted to a reasonable desity and bale size. but....I have no hay wagon (we picked them up with an ATV and a Trailer) so they fall off the baler and they seem to bend after the land. if I lift them off the baler, no bending. they are sturdy, you can stand on them with no problem
Is that bending to be expected? ie let them fall off the baler from 4-5' up and thats what you get or am i missing something? I did check the manual for misshaped bales, but my feed is consistent and windrows are good. and the bales look great coming out the baler. Its just after they "land"
----
At the end of the day, nothing like looking at a pile of bales in the barn from your own land ! what a great feeling of accomplishment
thanks to everyone who provided the How to advice a few months ago and thos that gave guidance on fixing the Baler