When should I rake hay after cutting?

Once the hay has been tedded and is nearly dry, it is ready to rake. Raking turns the hay one more time to dry the bottom and forms it into a windrow ready to be baled.

What is raking in hay making?

Raking is done to narrow the swath for the baler, and also to move the wetter material at the bottom of the windrow to the outside. Every time you rake hay there is some leaf loss, so rake strategically. The drier the hay is at raking, the greater the leaf loss.

What is the best way to cut hay?

How to Mow a Hay Field

1. Mow outside rounds first.
2. Leave room to turn around.
3. Mow the center in straight rows.
4. Continue mowing straight paths, back and forth across the field, until the entire center is mowed.
5. Turn your tractor around and mow the outside round.

What are the three types of hay rakes?

It’s important to select and operate the right type of rake for both the crop you produce and the environment in which it’s raised. Forage producers generally employ one of three main types of hay rakes: wheel, parallel bar or rotary.

What is the process of cutting and baling hay?

Round bales are made by pulling the hay into the baler, which winds or rolls the hay until it reaches the size set for the bale, at which time twine or netting is wrapped around the bale to maintain its shape. The bale is then dropped from the rear of the baler and can be moved by a tractor with a bale spear.

Does raking hay help it dry?

Raking tends to roll the wetter hay from the bottom of the swath to the outer surface of the windrow, which improves drying. Following the initial improvement, the increase in swath density can reduce drying rate, so the crop moisture content at raking is important.

How long should hay sit before raking?

As a rule of thumb, wait to rake hay until after the dew has dried and the sun nears its peak, around 11 a.m. If possible, let the raked hay sit for an hour or two before baling to allow more drying time. Haymakers have several types of rakes available.

How do you cut hay for baling?

Wait until you have 3 days of dry weather so you can cure and bale the hay without it getting wet. Cut your hay with a sickle mower or sickle haybine if you have a small or medium-sized field or a disk mower, if you have a large field. Then, use a baler at a steady, moderate speed, which will be the most effective.

What is best hay rake?

Models like the Vermeer R2800 twin rake are consequently better able to handle wetter, heavier forage crops in addition to performing well in dry hay. Because teeth don’t come into contact with the ground, parallel bar rakes offer an overall durability and ease of maintenance similar to wheel rakes.

What are the different types of hay rakes?

“The four most prominent styles of hay rakes are wheel rakes, parallel bar (rollabar) rakes, rotary rakes, and belt rakes. Let’s look at each of these.” These rakes are built for speed and productivity when handling dry hay. Wheel rakes are simple machines that require minimal adjustments for proper operation.

When should you Tedder hay?

Initial tedding should be performed after a brief wilting period following a morning cutting while the hay is still moist (two to four hours). In very damp conditions, tedding may need to be done immediately after cutting. A second pass is usually done the next day, and the hay is raked and baled that afternoon.