Macdon 4000 Mower Conditioner User Manual download pdf (Page 33)

FEED PAN EXTENSIONS FOR LIGHT CROP

OPERATION

OPERATING VARIABLES

8. FORMING SHIELDS (continued)

Feed Pan Extensions

Extensions should be installed in working position

(E) when light crop conditions cause material to

fall between feed pan and rolls. Extensions should

remain in storage position (F), under feed pan (G)

in normal to heavy conditions.

HAYING TIPS

There is one certainty when making hay - a quick cure will maintain top quality. It is critical to have the cured

hay baled as quickly as possible, for two reasons:

1. Every day that hay lies on the ground, 5% of the protein is lost.

2. The sooner the cut hay is off, the earlier the start for next growth.

Generally, leaving the swath as wide and thin as possible makes for the quickest curing, however there are

other factors which affect curing time:

1. TOPSOIL MOISTURE

When the ground is wetter than the hay, moisture from the soil is absorbed by the hay above it. Determine

topsoil moisture level before cutting. Use a moisture tester or estimate level:

Over 45% - WET - Soil will be muddy

25 - 45% - DAMP - Walking on soil leaves tracks

Under 25% - DRY - Soil will be dusty on top

When ground is wet due to irrigation, wait until soil moisture drops below 45%. When ground is wet due to

frequent rains, cut when weather allows and let the forage lie on wet ground until it dries to the moisture level

of the ground. At this point, the cut hay will dry no more until the ground under it dries, so consider moving the

windrow to drier ground.

On wet soil, the general rule of "wide and thin" does not apply. A narrower windrow will dry faster than hay left

flat on wet ground.

1 2 ... 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 ... 72 73

No comments

Macdon 4000 Mower Conditioner User Manual Page 33