Most Efficient Pattern To Cut Fields

[smstonypoint]

I use the mower width times MPH divided by 10 as my estimate for mowing time. This is about 81% efficient so if you know the size of field you see how well you keep to speed, overlap and turns. 5280ft/Hr x 10ft/43560ftft x 1 MPH = 1.21 ac / hr This would be for a 10ft mower at 1 MPH

ksbrdmkr's formula to obtain theoretical efficiency (acres/hour) can be simplified to (speed in mph * mower width in feet)/8.25. Dividing by 10 rather than 8.25 allows for overlap, turning, etc. and results in a field efficiency of 83%.

http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/bae/extension/handbook/documents/capacity.pdf gives typical field efficiencies for various implements. The reported values for mowers range from 75-85%.

TractorData.com - Mowing with tractors has a mowing time calculator. That calculator assumes >90% efficiency -- too high in my opinion.

eXmark provides a table showing acres per hour mowing times for alternative mower width and speeds at 100% and 80% efficiencies (Mower Productivity - Exmark | The Efficiency of Our Lawn Mowers and notes that the 80% data are more representative of actual practice.

Steve

 

[drjay9051]

Hello Cletus,

The ability to mow in a spiral pattern permits you to totally eliminate
stoping and turning and when you eliminate stopping and turning saves
a huge amount of time and a lot of fuel because the tractor is only
mowing.





The edges left in a field or lawn will take only a few minutes to mow down after the
initial mowing is done in the spiral.


starting at the center pemits you to take much less time as you are mowing a smaller diameter
in the very beginning and then mowing outward and permits you to overlap if desired as you are
unaffected by stopping and turning which takes up a lot of time if you are mowing by the row.


Driving in spiral take less time and covers the same area quickly which is eactly what the coast guard does in a search and rescue operation as it pemits them to cover a huge area while trying to spot a disabled vessel as the only limitation is the magnification/focal length of the spotters binoculars.
I know its a crazy explanation but it works.

GO BULL DOGS

Cletus ??

 

[smstonypoint]

Cletus ??

He may be bemoaning 8/31/2013 -- Clemson 38, Georgia 35.

Go Tigers!!!

Steve

 

[IslandTractor]

Post the proof if you can -- I would be interested in the assumptions regarding the shape of the area to be mowed.

Some here use a version of the Zamboni pattern.

View attachment 339828


Steve

How does a guy from the Carolina's know what a Zamboni pattern is???? You a Hurricanes fan?

 

[EddieWalker]

I like to go around the outside edge, counter clockwise a few times with at least one or two passes right down the middle. Once I get the middle strip wide enough to cut down one side and make a clean u turn down the other side, I stick to making the middle wider and wider. To me, this gives me the least amount of already mowed ground to go over again while cutting the uncut grass.

Eddie

 

[smstonypoint]

How does a guy from the Carolina's know what a Zamboni pattern is???? You a Hurricanes fan?

From reading posts on TBN. That pattern was mentioned in a previous thread dealing with mowing patterns. I'm not a hockey fan, but I did watch the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.

Steve

 

[Zebrafive]

I like to go around the outside edge, counter clockwise a few times with at least one or two passes right down the middle. Once I get the middle strip wide enough to cut down one side and make a clean u turn down the other side, I stick to making the middle wider and wider. To me, this gives me the least amount of already mowed ground to go over again while cutting the uncut grass.

Eddie

I mow similar. May not be the most efficient. If the middle is getting too wide, I split what is uncut and have new "middle" to widen. I like to make as long, straight cuts as possible.

 

[Zebrafive]

I like to go around the outside edge, counter clockwise a few times with at least one or two passes right down the middle. Once I get the middle strip wide enough to cut down one side and make a clean u turn down the other side, I stick to making the middle wider and wider. To me, this gives me the least amount of already mowed ground to go over again while cutting the uncut grass.

Eddie

I mow similar. May not be the most efficient. If the middle is getting too wide, I split what is uncut and have new "middle" to widen. I like to make as long, straight cuts as possible.