adegiulio
Silver Member
Yeah, isn't this what a hay rake was invented for? I've never used one, but it seems like the perfect solution...
Raking Grass
- Thread starter fenneran
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Glenn9643
Veteran Member
As has already been suggested a hay rake would be the best tool to windrow it. After it's windrowed you can push up and move piles pretty well with the loader bucket skimming the ground. I think my toothbar helps here. Have you thought about composting? Sounds like you've really got a good start on materiels if you have any interest!
Glenn9643
Veteran Member
Depending on your situation and interests it may be worthwhile. I mow five acres on our place and every few weeks pull a sweeper behind the mower to pick up clippings and probably get 20-30 cubic yards that I add to compost piles. Of course my grass isn't as high as yours was so you'll have much more. A huge pile of clippings will generate heat and should be watered and turned every few days depending on conditions. The heat will kill any seeds in the pile but you need to try to keep it from getting over 160 degrees, as over that it kills the beneficial bacteria. I turn mine with the FEL. After a few days the piles will shrink as they decompose and you can consolidate piles...
It's just a thought, and it's what I would do. I started composting last year and it's generated a lot of great amendments for my garden. Matter of fact I hauled 24 yards of "gin trash" in yesterday and plan to get that much more today for composting.
If there's not enough carbon source in the pile, or if is too wet it'll smell like a manure pile. Trial and error is the best teacher to overcome this.
It's just a thought, and it's what I would do. I started composting last year and it's generated a lot of great amendments for my garden. Matter of fact I hauled 24 yards of "gin trash" in yesterday and plan to get that much more today for composting.
If there's not enough carbon source in the pile, or if is too wet it'll smell like a manure pile. Trial and error is the best teacher to overcome this.
SteveBenson
Silver Member
10 acres of hay that tall is a lot of material and it will take a tremondous amount of time to remove it from the field loose, IMHO.
Gatorboy
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Just leave it lay where it is. Give it a a few weeks and mow over it again. Then wait until March or so to cut it again.
When I bought my property, the open areas were 4'-5' high, and I put in the contract that the ower would have it mowed before closing. This was done in September, and it looked horrible. I just left it like that until March, when I cut it for the very first time. By July, the field was looking pretty darn good.
In summary, I don't think any long term damage will be done by leaving the clippings where they lie.
When I bought my property, the open areas were 4'-5' high, and I put in the contract that the ower would have it mowed before closing. This was done in September, and it looked horrible. I just left it like that until March, when I cut it for the very first time. By July, the field was looking pretty darn good.
In summary, I don't think any long term damage will be done by leaving the clippings where they lie.
surfacewave
Member
Fenneran,
I have the same issue except its only 6+ acres. I did what bobreeves stated; <font color="blue"> </font>waited a couple of weeks and cut it again. The clumps didn't quite completely go away with the second cutting.
<font color="black"> </font> The method works pretty well but I would really like to collect the cut grass/weeds for the compost pile.
Gabbys right <font color="blue"> </font> I think you will be amazed how much volume you would have if you try to rake it, even if there was a tool that would do it. You would end up with huge piles of wet, rotting matter.
<font color="black"> </font> In my book that means back gold for the gradens. So currently I am trying to locate an old style sulky dump rake to hook-up to my JD4115 to make piles of wet rotting matter and you will be amazed how fast that huge pile of wet rotting material becomes a small pile of useful material.
I have the same issue except its only 6+ acres. I did what bobreeves stated; <font color="blue"> </font>waited a couple of weeks and cut it again. The clumps didn't quite completely go away with the second cutting.
<font color="black"> </font> The method works pretty well but I would really like to collect the cut grass/weeds for the compost pile.
Gabbys right <font color="blue"> </font> I think you will be amazed how much volume you would have if you try to rake it, even if there was a tool that would do it. You would end up with huge piles of wet, rotting matter.
<font color="black"> </font> In my book that means back gold for the gradens. So currently I am trying to locate an old style sulky dump rake to hook-up to my JD4115 to make piles of wet rotting matter and you will be amazed how fast that huge pile of wet rotting material becomes a small pile of useful material.
