How to Cut a Field

[Clemson]

I'm curious just how the best way is to attack mowing a field. In my case fields run from about 200 yards by 200 yards to maybe 3 times that size. There are also a few that are a good bit smaller.

I am particularly interested in how you guys turn your corners. Do you make 180 degree turns and mow strips from the same side? Do you make 90 degree turns and gradually turn a rectangular grass patch into a trapezoid? Do you keep the corners square by making a 270 degree turn? I have been doing the last, but it does involve some wasted time in cutting over the corner area where I have already been.

For what it's worth, I'm mowing pasture with a 6' rotary cutter behind a MF 230 tractor (See Pic).

 

[Boondox]

Seems like I do it differently every time and in every field, but one thing remains constant in my technique. I begin by mowing the perimeter of the field to give myself a pre-mowed strip to turn around in.

Pete

 

[MrP]

I mow using an overlaping "U" shape.

 

[bsauter]

I know I can't explain this well but the way I usually do it....and every field might be different....is I mow the perimeter first.

After that I run strips up and down the field but leave around 25 feet between them and go back and forth by sections. That way I don't have to turn real sharp and I just keep on truckin'. When I'm done if you look at the field you would see like 6 rows going one way and six coming back alternating across the field. Not efficient in some ways as you drive about 20 feet without cutting grass at the end of the row but then you don't have to slow down either and it looks real nice when your done.

Heck I think I confused myself with that description but maybe you can figure out what I'm saying.

 

[Von]

Brad, I got how you do it first time!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif But then thats how I do it to!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

By cutting a few diagonal passes you can make 90 degree turns at the corners, and gain considerable efficiency, and eliminate the need for 270 degree turns.

 

[couchsachraga]

Greetings...

I've cut a few different ways with a sicle (or however you spell it) bar, depending on the field. Usually as above posts (perimiter, then inwards), but occasionally start in the center and keep working outwards (after cutting the perimeter first). Nice, straight rows in the center, and with the exception of your first cut you have not driven over anything you're cutting (again, this is a sicle bar (mounted on the side of a Farmall Cub)).

Couchsachraga

 

[Mosey]

I do it a couple different ways. If I’m in a hurry I make 90 degree turns at each corner, but I don’t go all the way past the end, I stop when the front of the mower is about 4’ from the end (I have a 5’ bush hog). The rear wheels of the tractor will be about even with the end. Then I back up and cut it around (I turn to the wheel to the left if I’m mowing CW), just enough to get 90 degrees from where I was, then go forward. This way I’m not doing much travelling without mowing, so it’s the most efficient. Since I have a hydrostat, this is easy. If you have a gear drive, it’s probably not the easiest way.

If I’m not in a hurry and want it to look a little better, I start out like above until I have enough room to turn around at each end, then I start going back and forth. I do what some of the others have described, I think. It is hard to describe! So, let me take my shot at it. I go along one edge until I get to the end. Then, I just turn around at the end, not turning real sharp, and head back through the middle. I just guess at the distance from the edge and try to stay parallel. Then, I turn around again, turning the same direction as before so I go back to the edge, and go back the other way. Then, I turn the same way again and go past the gap where I just mowed, and go back the other way. This way I’m always going the same distance on the turns. I keep doing this until the first section is done, then I do the whole process again. Repeat until all done. See attachment. This is less efficient, but more relaxing since I’m not backing up and making sharp turns. I do the same thing with my finish mower in the larger open areas, since not turning as sharp eliminates any scuffing.

 

[BKColeman]

That's a good picture Danny. I was hoping someone would post one. I thought I was thinking the same thing, but sometimes it is hard to tell.

 

[Clemson]

Now those are some really good ideas. The grass is high. I guess I just need to go practice some of these intricate patterns myself!

Thanks all!

Clemson