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OPERATION
HAYING TIPS (continued)
3.
WINDROW
CHARACTERISTICS
See ·Operating
Variables"
in
this
section.
Control the
factOfs
listed
to
produce
a
windrow with the
following
characteristics:
a.
High
and
fluffy
for
good air
flow.
Tlhe
movement
of
aIr through
the
windrow
is
more
important
to
the
curing process
than
direct sunlight.
b.
Consistent
formation
.
not
bunchy,
A uniform w indrow
permits an
even flow of
material
into
the baler,
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
loose,
or
small
square
bales
to
be heavy on one
side,
causing handling and
stacking
problems.
d.
Properly
conditioned without excessive
leaf
damage.
4.
RUNNING TRACTOR ON PREVIOUSLY CUT
WINDROW:
This
can
lengthen
drying time by
a
full day
in
hay that
w~1
not be
raked.
If
practical,
set forming
shields for
a narrower windrow
that
can be
strad:dled.
However,
in
high·yielding
alfalfa, driving
on
the
hay
may
be
unavoidable if a full width windrow is
necessary.
5.
fIAI(ING AND TIDDING
Raking or tedding will
speed up
dryingl.
however the benefits must be weighted against
the
additional
leaf
losses
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
losses
will
result.
6.
CHEMICAL DRYING AGENTS
Hay
drying agents work by
removing
wax from legume
surfaces,
enabling water to escape and
evaporate
taster.
However,
treated
hay lying on
\Net
ground
will
also
absorb
ground mOisture
faster.
Before
deciding to
use a drying
agent,
costs and benefits
relative
to your
area
should
be
carefully
compared.
35
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