How do you manually cut hay?

How do you manually cut hay?

The proper method cutting hay by hand: stand with your legs apart and knees slightly bent. Three ropes tied around the width and a fourth wrapped lengthwise hold together each 70- to 90-pound bate of sun-dried hay. Swing your scythe and torso from right to left, concentrating on a smooth, whole-body pivot.

What month do you start cutting hay?

Optimum conditions for first cuttings can generally be expected around May 15th in the south and May 25th in the north. Though different cuttings provide different levels of nutrition (a topic for a future blog), the most important determination of hay quality is its state of maturity when cut.

What do farmers use to cut hay?

There are three primary styles of hay mowers: sickle bar, disc. and drum. Each has Its advantages and disadvantages. In order to choose the mower that will work best for your situation, first fit the mower to the size of your tractor and then determine how you will be using it.

Can you bale hay by hand?

Using a hand baler doesn’t really save on labor or time, but it did make our hay easier to store, and we needed less space in which to store it. The baler in the plans is to be used in making a bale of pine straw, but it works just fine to bale our mixed-grass hay.

How do you harvest hay without a machine?

If you don’t have a barn you can just pile your hay on pallets or some brush and then place a tarp over it. Another way to store hay which we haven’t personally tried is a traditional haystack.

How long after cutting hay can you bale it?

Subject: RE: How long does your hay lay to bale dry? Cut first thing in the morning, ted about 2-4 hours later, do nothing the next day, rake as soon as dew is off (-48 hours after cutting), let dry about 3 hours, and bale. Sometime takes an extra day to dry or occasionally a day less if perfect weather.

Is first cut hay better than second cut?

Timothy hay is one of the most popular hays fed to horses. Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content. The first cutting usually has a higher weed content, and quality decreases after the second cutting, so the second cutting is usually the best to feed.

Can you bale hay without a baler?

Even without a hand baler you can cut and store your own hay. You’ll just need more space to store it.

What’s the difference between straw and hay?

Hay is a crop that is grown and harvested as a feed crop for cattle, horses and other farm animals. Straw on the other hand is a byproduct of a grain crop; in our area it’s usually usually wheat straw that we see. Hay often is made up of a combination of different plants growing in a field or meadow.

Can you make hay from grass clippings?

A perfect day for making hay is when it’s sunny and calm. Spread the grass clippings in a thin layer on the ground, preferably on the concrete. Turn it and mix it around a few times during the day. It shouldn’t take more than half a day or so until it’s completely dry.

What can you do with a scythe to make hay?

Besides haymaking, the scythe is also perfect to cut grass on a hill in our garden that is too steep for a lawn mower. ‘Now, whilst the mowers are whetting their scythes, and the fragrant smell of the hay fills the summer air, let us sit on the haycock, and glance at the flowers around us.’

Can you use a scythe to cut weeds?

Mowing down weeds with a scythe, or brush-cutting, is what the pictures of me in this article depict. When you’re not making hay or manicuring your lawn, you can use a scythe in a lot less stringent fashion. Personally, I love mowing weeds and brush best.

How do you mow grass with a scythe?

Grasp your trusty scythe and face the patch of grass that you intend to mow. Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Extend your arms, placing the blade of the scythe on the ground – basically. The blade will naturally be curved slightly upwards. The back of the blade is flat on the ground. Keep your feet planted firmly.

What did people use to make hay with?

In the Victorian era, hay was made by hand with a scythe. But even today, a scythe is often used to cut grass and make hay. I love making hay with a scythe – it’s the best full body workout! Every summer, I make hay for our rabbits by hand with a scythe.

How do you manually cut hay? The proper method cutting hay by hand: stand with your legs apart and knees slightly bent. Three ropes tied around the width and a fourth wrapped lengthwise hold together each 70- to 90-pound bate of sun-dried hay. Swing your scythe and torso from right to left, concentrating on a…