The Life of a Custom Mowing contractor

Hay Dude · Jun 19, 2023

Been a real busy past few days. Last week we made about 100 more 4x4x8 bales.

I like to stack them 4 bales high. Keeps the 2 in the middle looking nice

I test most bales for moisture.

Took some time afterwards to go back to the Pottinger mower and grease every fitting and install new blades.

I don’t know if you ever saw this, but my Massey Ferguson has air brakes, so I have on board compressed air to blow out the hood screens and the radiator

Sunday (Fathers Day) after church, I had to tedder about 45 acres. I was done in a few hours and my family took me to my favorite spot for some dinner, then for a few beers. I was asleep soon as my head hit the pillow.

Heres the back of the Challenger while refueling. Kind of gives you a perspective of the tractor I use towing the tedder pictured above

Hay Dude · Jun 19, 2023

Monday morning. Post Father’s Day, mild hangover and fueling up. I maxed out 2 times for $175 bucks worth of fuel in the truck and the transfer tank. I think today was June Teenth. After these long days and 6-7 days a week, you start to lose track of what day it is.

mrmikey · Jun 20, 2023

I like the pics and the narration HD, very interesting

Hay Dude · Jun 20, 2023

Thanks!

Back to more mowing yesterday. Cut this 15 acre steep hill with plenty of rocks, too. It’s like a mine field, but I have it pretty much memorized now. Doesn’t look steep in the pictures, but once you get in the tractor, it feels steep. You can see the farm across the way we already cut. To the left of the red barn you can see the old B&O railroad berm. The power company came out and sprayed herbicides on the side of the berm, so that’s why it’s brown.

I pity the person who replaces me-have no idea how they will see the rocks.
This little patch of milkweed sure is annoying!

After about 4 hours of slow mowing there, moved on to the next property in the afternoon. This is probably my favorite property. It’s about 35 acres and almost entirely flat and smooth. Been farmed for 200+ years. The owner is a world renowned artist. He passed away about 12 years ago. To the right is a river which can flood the property in really heavy, sustained rains. I think this has a leveling-effect on the land. River silt remains in the low spots after the water recedes. You can mow 8-10MPH on most of it. In fact, I can mow this 35 acres in only a little more time than it took to do the previous 15.

As I was finishing up a field there, this Bald Eagle swooped in for a visit. Picture is a little pixilated because I had to use maximum zoom.

Whenever an Eagle shows up, small birds harass them. Eagles like to eat other nesting birds babies. Eagles are pretty mean.

tradosaurus · Jun 20, 2023

On the field you mow with rocks, how big are the rocks on average?
How many rocks do you believe are out there?
Is it worth marking the rocks with a long pole and a flag?
Or would it be worth seeing if the owner of the field would pay you to remove the rocks?

Hay Dude · Jun 20, 2023

tradosaurus said:
On the field you mow with rocks, how big are the rocks on average?
How many rocks do you believe are out there?
Is it worth marking the rocks with a long pole and a flag?
Or would it be worth seeing if the owner of the field would pay you to remove the rocks?

I’d say there’s about 50-75 rocks that have to be avoided. They probably range in size from a wheelbarrow to a small car in size.
I do mark the rocks with the 6’ orange stakes, but even those stakes blend in very well with the orangy/tan color of the grass tops. I have to re-set the stakes for fear of them falling over. One solid rock strike will severely damage the mower.

The owner has given me the green light to remove most of the rocks. Theres a spot where he doesn’t want disturbed, but we can’t mow there anyway. I would like to dig the rocks out this winter, but I’ve been saying that for 5+ years.

Just so much to do….

tradosaurus · Jun 20, 2023

I would seriously consider sub-contracting the work to remove those rocks.
Given one rock could keep you from mowing for a while it might be worth it.
I'm assuming an excavator of this size would do the job?

Hay Dude · Jun 20, 2023

tradosaurus said:
I would seriously consider sub-contracting the work to remove those rocks.
Given one rock could keep you from mowing for a while it might be worth it.

I would do that myself. Would rent a mini ex or a backhoe.

EddieWalker · Jun 20, 2023

Having a built in air compressor sounds really handy!!!

I think that I've seen all of your posts and pictures, but I don't remember seeing where you store those big square bales. Do you keep them in a barn, out of the weather? Or do you sell them as soon as you bale them? Just hauling them to the barn seems overwhelming!!!!