The Life of a Custom Mowing contractor

[workinonit]

He's thinking about getting a bicycle to strap to whatever he is operating.

 

[Hay Dude]

He's thinking about getting a bicycle to strap to whatever he is operating.

I have thought about it, but it never seems to work out. A rechargeable electric scooter or bike would be slick.

 

[sixdogs]

He's thinking about getting a bicycle to strap to whatever he is operating.

I have thought about it, but it never seems to work out. A rechargeable electric scooter or bike would be slick.

Around here I've seen old mopeds strapped to the front end of the tractor. For an emergency, it works.

 

[Hay Dude]

Around here I've seen old mopeds strapped to the front end of the tractor. For an emergency, it works.

Some older or disabled farmers need them.

 

[Hay Dude]

Mowed a 40 acre parcel today. Beautiful, sunny 60* Just perfect.

It’s 3 parcels. One is 3-4 acres. The other 2 are like 35 acres. The customer who owns it has me do 2 hay cuttings, then do a final light mowing before winter sets-in.

This is the front parcel.

And the rear parcel, just getting underway. Sometimes I want to do a 3rd hay cutting, but I have all the feed hay I need. This back field reliably produces beautiful bright green feed hay. Probably my favorite field.

The back edge of the property is flanked by the Brandywine Creek, a beautiful small river that has seen the blood of American Patriots during the Revolutionary War. Across the river, you can see our local RR, East Penn Railroad‘s tracks. They pretty much reliably run freight 2X per day. Looks like a tree fell on the tracks and had to be cleared...

At the end of the back field there’s an old covered bridge stone ramp. Rumor has it the deceased owner didn’t like car traffic running through his farm, so he burned it down. Then the road through his property’s only use was to be his private driveway. I don’t think it is a true story, but some in my little town believe it. The river is just to the left of the end of the ramp. I bet the covered bridge was beautiful in its’ day.

Beyond the bridge approach ramp under the same power lines, is another field which I cut hay from.

The CX-15 behind me. One of the best pieces of equipment I have ever owned. This mower has cut over $250,000 dollars of fields. My up front cost was $17,000. Only one repair of $1,000. Of course you need a tractor to pull it, too.

To the right you see a stone barn. It’s a historic landmark. Inside is a gristmill with a water wheel. The mill race still runs through it. This property has a stunning beauty, but also and eery feel to it. A feel of the many cattle that have grazed here, the people who have owned it, the soldiers who were here and may have lost their lives fighting against King George’s soldiers in the Revolution.
Battle reenactment scenes have been filmed here.

 

[Hay Dude]

On to my next days of field mowing.
Yesterday I mowed a development with 5 separate parcels.

It has some steep spots

Here’s a nice, open area where you can move along with decent pace. I keep thinking to myself how much hay could be made here……what a waste.

The fall foliage is nearly gone. We have had a perfect stretch of weather and cutting is so pleasant to do.

Today was a different kind of cutting. It’s a similar HOA development with fields, but one of their fields is only cut 1 time per year. The HOA members believe there’s small critters, like turtles, frogs etc. that are sensitive to excessive mowing. ”Hey whatever you want” is what I say. This ground is quite damp. They call it the “Winter Wet Meadow”.
To the right up on the rise is the Samual Painter House circa 1757.

If you look closely, you can see a very healthy fox ahead.

 

[Hay Dude]

Back at the farm. I have to get the big square baler inside and start cleaning it up.

The days are getting short. Time to start thinking about going back to the storm clean up job we were doing in August. Still a few fields to mow and a LOT of equipment repairs. Did I mention getting ready for snow?

 

[sixdogs]

Back at the farm. I have to get the big square baler inside and start cleaning it up.


View attachment 832612

How many bales would you put on that before you would want to replace it? Does much go wrong with it or need maintenance? Is greasing easy?

 

[Hay Dude]

How many bales would you put on that before you would want to replace it?

Some farmers will let them go after 25,000 bales. Some will hold on to them until 75,000 bales. This one has 24,000 bales through it. I‘m always looking to upgrade, but large square balers are kind of difficult to sell/buy/adapt to tractor.

Does much go wrong with it or need maintenance?

Yes. There’s an unbelievable amount of moving parts, and most all need lubrication. Lots of maintenance is needed, but considering what it is asked to do, it’s understandable. Lots can go wrong, especially if you bale up junk. There’s a lot of electronics in them now, like todays tractors & vehicles and the monitor is $5,000+

Is greasing easy?

There’s an auto lubrication system for about 60 grease points. There’s about 25 that are done with a grease gun.

 

[mrmikey]

There’s an auto lubrication system for about 60 grease points. There’s about 25 that are done with a grease gun.

Auto greasers are great for the amount of work and crawling around they save. Only problem is when they screw up a couple of points and you don't realize it until they're totally screwed. Without fail, they'll be the hardest point to repair/replace.

There’s a lot of electronics in them now, like todays tractors & vehicles and the monitor is $5,000+

Do the electronics actually help/make it better or is it a situation where it helps the manufacturer and not the end user or add a bunch of functions that don't actually do anything worthwhile?