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Post by garyfunk on Jun 30, 2021 15:45:39 GMT -6
So far so good. Really straightforward maintenance wise. This is our 4th year with it (450ish acres/year).
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Post by SWMan on Jun 30, 2021 17:04:19 GMT -6
Not yet, since it's a new stand and dry year it's definitely behind. I would think a couple weeks yet, probably wait until the wheat is headed but kochia hasn't made viable seeds yet?
Gary glad to hear it's been a good unit for you. If you have any tips on operation I'd welcome that.
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Post by SWMan on Jul 3, 2021 16:56:45 GMT -6
Gary how often do you replace the knives? Can they be sharpened? I think it will be a little bit before I can get a decent swath together, but it is growing now.  |
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Post by cptusa on Jul 3, 2021 19:06:59 GMT -6
Discbine knives are cheap. Replace when it starts cutting poorly.
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Post by garyfunk on Jul 3, 2021 20:59:22 GMT -6
Your machine is 13ft right? If it is then it takes about $90 to replace all 30 knives and they're two sided so you don't need to sharpen them, ha. The cutting job in this pic was from blades that bounced over our stones and sandy mole hills for over 300 acres already, lol. I stopped baling to take this so I'd best get back at'er. 😁  |
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Post by SWMan on Jul 3, 2021 22:37:13 GMT -6
It's just under 11', plan on raking two swaths together. Hopefully the rake doesn't pull up stones, I rolled the field and it's quite nice and flat currently.
I will buy extra knives, sounds reasonable and definitely not worth sharpening.
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Post by SWMan on Jul 23, 2021 23:04:08 GMT -6
Well finally got to cutting today, worked not too bad except in my really thin stuff. Actually the Milwaukee angle grinder sharpens those blades in no time, I'm keeping it in the cab! How fast do guys cut with a discbine? I was going about 5.5mph and probably could go faster but in heavy low spots tractor is tapped out. And when do you quit cutting at night, when dew starts to come on? I'm guessing you don't want to put it in the swath wet? It's a mixture of weeds(lots of kochia) and volunteer wheat mostly, hay is there under most of it. Some ragweed along a creek, is that okay to feed?   |
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Post by cptusa on Jul 23, 2021 23:51:40 GMT -6
If the mower isn't bouncing and you can stay in the seat you can go faster. I'll run 8 mph on good, smooth, flat ground.
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Post by Albertabuck on Jul 24, 2021 13:32:57 GMT -6
You can usually boogie right along with a disc machine, often power is what limits it. Not sure why you would need to be sharpening the blades, least with my sickle machines that practice come to an end 50 years ago lol.
Can cut when its damp as long as still cutting clean. Normally one stops when its damp with a sickle machine as when damp it cuts harder and makes the knife pound and increases stress on drives. With a disc I would think power requirements would go up, but that should be all. Thats why you pay the big bucks to buy them, is because they are supposed to be able to cut in adverse conditions.
On another note, if you are unfamiliar with the same, there is a difference between hay being dry and being cured. Hay that is not cured will get musty and dusty or even out right mold and heat. Just because it feels dry on outside, does not mean it is internally. Internal moisture content must be around 12-14 max for it to keep properly. This summer was lots of guys forgetting this and during the heat were thinking they were getting ahead of the game, cutting one day baling the next...wrong...
I check by feel, but I got 50 years experience doing it, good sign is when you can take the thicker stems and they will actually break or crack when you bend or twist them. If you don't know or aren't sure, have someone who knows show you. Also most hay testers only measure external moisture. Round bales will keep better at higher moisture than squares large or small because of how compacted they are. Small squares you do not want over 12, but too dry can cause it to break up bad. Same can happen with rounds as well. There is a difference with moisture content between horse and cow hay...something I could show you in five minutes, but hard to explain on here.
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Post by cptusa on Jul 24, 2021 13:44:57 GMT -6
I with AB sharpening blades, wouldn't do it. If it isn't cutting good flip them around or put new on.
I'd try to have as much hay cut before dew comes in as possible, idealy by mid afternoon. Just the way I've always done it trying to keep excess moisture out of windrow as you say, same kind applies for morning starts, let extra moisture burn off first.
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Post by SWMan on Jul 24, 2021 22:18:27 GMT -6
Got up to 7-8mph on my hayfield that had been rolled today, worked well. Also cut on my field that had been seeded to pasture and that was harder going, I think mostly because I had fertilized it but also not rolled and cutting a bit higher. Little stones dull the blades and I'm not changing them until I'm done cutting the pasture, 10 min with the angle grinder sharpens the whole set so no big deal there.
Good point on cured properly AB, I will err on the side of caution there as some of this may sit for a year or two. Looks like a hot dry week ahead so should be able to get it done.
Cut probably 60-70 acres today, lots of back-and-forth with a 11' machine. Kinda wished I bought the 18' I looked at, but the narrow cut should hopefully dry better.
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Post by Albertabuck on Jul 24, 2021 22:42:08 GMT -6
Its interesting how the locality determines price and availability on those wide haybines, most people hate them. I run 16 and 18 myself. To give perspective, the 16 footer was a two year old 1475 NH with a 2300 series header, six bat reel and more, was back in 01, I got it at an auction for 5K. You couldn't touch them on the dealers lot for under 20 used. I bought it with one bid, actually laughed when they asked for my number, was one of the last Midland sales in Westlock, they were known for stuff being bid back in so I really wasn't expecting much else. Then Keith is like, nope, its here to sell and I hope to hell you were serious! I called back at him, like really, you're gonna give me that for 5K? He's like yea, its yours. Well shit I had a smile a mile wide at that point and happily gave him my number. Next item was an old 114 NH hydraswing again, but a 12 foot, much poorer and lower capacity machine, I know I owned a 14 foot for several years,...and it sold for 8 grand...about 20 years older, smaller and needed work. I really couldn't believe what had just happened and a few guys standing close by made a comment about how they thought it was a good buy...I looked at them and asked them how the hell they had that figured given what I had just paid for the big 1999 model. Well the one guys looks at me and point blank said, well you're an idoit, who wants a machine that wide? I just kind of shook my head and walked away. Only regret I had afterwards, was few items later was a really nice 555 Versatile, only brought 5500, have always kicked my ass I didn't buy it, was nice little tractor for the price. Gots to remember, thats 20 years ago too.
Point being, not very many folks want anything wide. Myself, I don't want anything but. Can always run with the divider along the other swath to make it narrower, sure can't make the little one wider lol.
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Post by SWMan on Jul 25, 2021 21:28:21 GMT -6
Sounds like when we made the jump from 20 to 24 to 25 to 30 to 35 to 40 foot swathers, wondered how it would ever cure but it always did. If I was doing serious acres I would go wider and not think twice, but this year 130 acres and next year 100 once pasture established so this unit is enough for that. Easier to change blades too, 20 minutes to do the set once I had it washed off and the tools out. So I did change the blades for you guys.  |
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Post by serffarmer on Jul 25, 2021 23:20:20 GMT -6
Its interesting how the locality determines price and availability on those wide haybines, most people hate them. I run 16 and 18 myself. To give perspective, the 16 footer was a two year old 1475 NH with a 2300 series header, six bat reel and more, was back in 01, I got it at an auction for 5K. You couldn't touch them on the dealers lot for under 20 used. I bought it with one bid, actually laughed when they asked for my number, was one of the last Midland sales in Westlock, they were known for stuff being bid back in so I really wasn't expecting much else. Then Keith is like, nope, its here to sell and I hope to hell you were serious! I called back at him, like really, you're gonna give me that for 5K? He's like yea, its yours. Well shit I had a smile a mile wide at that point and happily gave him my number. Next item was an old 114 NH hydraswing again, but a 12 foot, much poorer and lower capacity machine, I know I owned a 14 foot for several years,...and it sold for 8 grand...about 20 years older, smaller and needed work. I really couldn't believe what had just happened and a few guys standing close by made a comment about how they thought it was a good buy...I looked at them and asked them how the hell they had that figured given what I had just paid for the big 1999 model. Well the one guys looks at me and point blank said, well you're an idoit, who wants a machine that wide? I just kind of shook my head and walked away. Only regret I had afterwards, was few items later was a really nice 555 Versatile, only brought 5500, have always kicked my ass I didn't buy it, was nice little tractor for the price. Gots to remember, thats 20 years ago too. Point being, not very many folks want anything wide. Myself, I don't want anything but. Can always run with the divider along the other swath to make it narrower, sure can't make the little one wider lol. Cut a pile of acres with a 16 foot 1475 back in the day. Never had an issue with it being wider either. That was one hell of a deal for a machine at that time. |
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Post by SWMan on Jul 31, 2021 22:09:40 GMT -6
Well got pretty much all my hay wrapped up today, nearly 200 bales in 8 hours. Had tried to do some a couple days ago and raked about 20 acres and could not get the Deere baler I intended to buy working. Mostly netwrap issues which is why I wanted to trade up, kind of ironic.  Neighbor saw me having trouble and borrowed me his new CaseIH baler, let me tell you that is one impressive machine! Just under 2 bales per acre, that's 70" bale that is pretty tight and heavy, not a complete failure I guess. The stuff I raked the other day never came dry though, I think I might have to rake it again. I guess if you rake it you better get it baled same day. |
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Neighbor saw me having trouble and borrowed me his new CaseIH baler, let me tell you that is one impressive machine! Just under 2 bales per acre, that's 70" bale that is pretty tight and heavy, not a complete failure I guess. The stuff I raked the other day never came dry though, I think I might have to rake it again. I guess if you rake it you better get it baled same day.