MacDon 5000 - Windrow Characteristics; Running Tractor Tire on Previously Cut Windrow; Raking and Tedding; Chemical Drying Agents

OPERATION
HAYING TIPS (continued)
3. WINDROW CHARACTERISTICS
See ·Operating Variab les " in th is section. Control the factOfs lis ted to produce a windrow wi th the following
cha r ac teri stics :
a. H ig h and fluffy for good air flow. T lhe mo vement of aIr through the windrow is more important to the
cu ring pr ocess than direct s unligh t.
b. Consiste nt formati on . not bunchy, A uniform windrow permits an even fl ow of material into the bal er,
chopper ele.
c. Even distribution. not piled in the middle or higher on one side. A windrow that is higher or heavier on
one side
could cause stacks to leal1, round bales to have one end smaller and loo se, or small square
bales to be heavy on one side, causing
handling and stacking pr oblem s.
d. Properly conditioned without excessive leaf damage.
4. RUNNING TRACTOR ON PREVIOUSLY CUT WINDROW :
Th is can length en dryi ng time by a full day in hay that w~1 not be raked. If practical, se t forming shields for
a narrower windrow that
can be strad :dled. However, in high·yielding alfalfa, drivi ng on the ha y ma y be
unavoidable if a full width windrow is ne cessary.
5. fIAI(ING AND TIDDING
Raking or tedding will speed up dryingl . however the benefits must be weighted against th e add iti onal leaf
l osses which will result When the ground beneath the down hay Is dry, raking or tedding is probably not
worthwhile.
Big windrows on damp or wet ground ~;ho uld be turned over when they reach 40-50 % moisture. Hay should
not be
raked or tedded at less than 2S% moIsture, or excessive yield lo sses will r es ult.
6.
CHEMICAL DRYING AGENTS
H ay drying agents work by removing wax from legume s urfa ces , enabling water to escape and evaporate
taster.
However, tr eated hay lying on \Net ground will also abso rb ground mOisture fa ster.
Before deciding to use a drying age n t, costs and benefits relat ive to your area sho uld be care f ull y compared.
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