How to Cut a Field

Mosey · May 7, 2002

Jeanne – Is this diagram (attached) what you mean as far as cutting the diagonals first? That seems like it would work pretty good. It has the effect of rounding off each corner so you could make the turns without having to back up once, or loop back around. If it ever stops raining, I’ll give it a try.

jrdellaratta · May 8, 2002

Very interesting idea with the diagonals. I may try that this weekend if time allows. This is a great thread to read, but I remain a little envious of those of you with rectangualr fields, or who can at least impose a rectangle onto a given area. In my 25 acres, I don't have any right angles, or even four-sided fields, for that matter---just very polygonal fields and lots of out-buildingsand trees to disrupt a pattern.

Mosey · May 8, 2002

jrdellaratta - I know what you mean, I don't have rectangular fields either, mostly diamond shapes. But, the diagonals should still help. Got another inch of rain and it still raining though, so it will be a while before I can mow anything.

jrdellaratta · May 8, 2002

Now I'm envious of your rain! We're in the midst of a pretty serious drought in Maryland---more than a 12" rainfall deficit from September, I'm told.

Mosey · May 10, 2002

Well, I tried doing the diagonals yesterday and it worked good. I still had to back up and make a 3 point turn or swing around on one of the corners at the top of the “diamond” where it’s really sharp, but I was able to make the other corners easily. I think it did cut down on the mowing time, but it was hard to tell because I had to go a little slower than normal because the grass was real thick, tall, and wet (even on the hill) – I was mowing in mud and standing water in several places. Next time I might try starting in the middle and working my way out – that way I’ll be going downhill all the time instead of up hill all the time (the center of the field is pretty much where the top of the hill is). This pattern should really work good on a more rectangular field.

Anonymous Poster · May 11, 2002

There's one born every second but it works for me. Depending on discharge of implement or not-------go to as close to as possible dead center of field; cut the tightest circle possible and mow with out stopping, in the end you will have the opposite of what you would have had other wise. Sometimes I get boared. BUT in the begining your cut will have no overlaps and from the sky look like a space landing. best to y'all