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Warning – MacDon R80 Rotary Disc Pull-Type Windrower User Manual

Page 52

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OPERATION

Form # 169053

50

Model Year - 2009

6.14 UNPLUGGING THE MOWER

CONDITIONER

WARNING

Stop tractor engine and remove key before
removing

plugged material from mower

conditioner. A child or even a pet could
engage the drive.

a. Stop forward movement of the tractor and stop

the PTO.

b. Raise the header fully, shut down the tractor

engine, and remove the key.

c. Engage lift cylinder lock-out valves.

WARNING

Wear

heavy gloves when working around

cutterbar.

d. Open cutterbar doors and clean off cutterbar or

rolls by hand.

6.15 HAYING TIPS

6.15.1 Curing

a. A quick cure will maintain top quality because:

• 5% of the protein is lost for each day hay

lies on the ground,

• The sooner the cut hay is off, the earlier the

start for next growth.

b. Leaving the windrow as wide and thin as

possible makes for the quickest curing.

c. The cured hay should be baled as soon as

possible.

6.15.2 Topsoil Moisture

a. 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.

b. 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:

LEVEL

% MOISTURE

CONDITION

Wet

Over 45

Soil is Muddy

Damp

25 – 45

Shows Footprints

Dry

Under 25

Surface is Dusty

c. If ground is wet due to irrigation, wait until soil

moisture drops below 45%.

d. If 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.

e. The cut hay will dry no more until the ground

under it dries, so consider moving the windrow
to drier ground.

6.15.3 Weather and Topography

a. Cut as much hay as possible by midday, when

drying conditions are best.

b. Fields sloping south get up to 100% more

exposure to the sun's heat than do north sloping
fields. If hay is baled and chopped, consider
baling the south facing fields and chopping
those facing north.

c. When relative humidity is high, the evaporation

rate is low and hay dries slower.

d. If there is no wind, saturated air becomes

trapped around the windrow. Raking or tedding
will expose the hay to fresher, less saturated air.

e. Cut hay perpendicular to the direction of the

prevailing winds is also recommended.