As a farmer, your most significant task is to ensure that you produce the best quality hay free of dust and debris. Hay is not only vital for your livestock's health but also ensures that your cattle secure enough food for the winter season. Cutting hay is a laborious task, and when done incorrectly, it can damage and reduce the overall quality of your product. Fortunately, modern technology has introduced drum mowers that not only streamline the hay cutting process, but they also optimize the quality of the final product. Here's everything you need to know about drum mowers and how to use them for your hay cutting process.
What Are the Benefits of a Drum Mower?
1. Efficiency
Drum mowers move swiftly and cut more than traditional mowers. This feature comes in handy when you have large fields with acres of hay to cut. Using a drum mower ensures that you save time and reduce the labor required to harvest the hay.
2. Cost Savings
Drum mowers require much less maintenance than traditional hay cutters, which saves you money in the long run. The pressure that drum mowers exert on the soil is also less than that of traditional machines, which means you can efficiently harvest more hay without damaging the soil.
3. High-Quality
Drum mowers provide high-quality results that improve the value of your harvested hay. By producing clean-cut swaths, livestock will have an easier time consuming the hay, contributing to their overall health.
How to Use a Drum Mower
Using a drum mower requires some level of experience. Here are the steps to follow to effectively use a drum mower:
1. Choose the right size. Ensure to use the appropriate drum mower for the size of your field to maximize efficiency.
2. Check Weather Conditions. Drum mowers are best used in dry conditions. Avoid using them in wet conditions as they may result in clogging.
3. Adjust Height. Set the height of your drum mower to cut the hay at the appropriate size. The height selected will depend on the stage of growth and the variety of grass growing.
4. Stay Alert. Keep a close eye on your drum mower for any signs of debris that might damage the cutting blades.
5. Maintenance. It's crucial to keep the drum mower clean to prevent hay from being unnecessarily dragged around and accumulating on the mower. Inspect the blades regularly to ensure that they are in good condition.
Drum mowers are a great addition to any farm. They streamline the whole process of hay harvesting, saving time and reducing labor costs, promote soil health and provide high-quality results. They might require more significant investment upfront, but in the long run, they contribute to the profitability of your farm.