How to prepare for the haymaking season
Haymaking is not a simple task and requires a lot of equipment. When getting ready to harvest hay, it’s important to check if everything is in good working condition. Haymaking consists of different steps. In each step, there are some things to take in mind.
Mowing
The haymaking process starts with mowing the grass. Ideally, grass hay is cut just before it sets its seed heads.
Mowers need regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Therefore, mowing equipment should be checked before the start of the season. Here are some points of attention:
- Are the blades and blade holder still in good condition or do they need to be replaced?
- Is the belt tension ok?
- Is the oil level of the cutter bar sufficient?
- Check for possible leakages.
- Is the tarp still in good condition?
Tedding
Tedding is the second step in the haymaking process. By using a tedder, the drying process of the mowed hay is much shorter. It is usually done a short while after the hay is mowed on the same day or the day after.
The elements of the tedder should be cleaned and degreased and should have enough slack. Also, the slack of the shaft should be sufficient. And last but not least, the safety rope needs to be in perfect condition.
Raking
Before collecting the hay, it needs to be pulled into windrows. Different types of rakes exist, wheel rakes and rotary are the most common ones.
To avoid downtime, inspect the rake wheels on a regular basis. Make sure to take a look at the tines and lubrication points as well. Inspect the leveling and check the tarp for cracks.
Baling
The final step in haymaking is baling. Balers are essential equipment for harvesting hay. They compress grass into tight bales which makes them easier to transport or to put in storage. There are two types of bales: square bales and round bales.
In order to keep balers in good working condition, there are a few things to pay attention to:
- All parts need to be cleaned after each use.
- Use a brush or air compressor to remove dust and dirt particles from moving parts like belts and chains.
- The chains should be properly lubricated with oil so they don’t rust.
- Are the gears still ok or do they need to be replaced?
- Have the belts not been damaged by dust or dirt particles?
- Does the oil circuit show any leaks?
- Is the hydraulic system still working properly?
- Finally, do the blades and teeth need to be replaced?
Parts in the spotlight
Looking for spare parts for agricultural equipment? Contact us. Our experts are happy to help you choose the best parts for the job.
- Knives for balers / forage harvesters
- Tines rakes / tedder and pickup baler
- Holders and bolts
- Belts (for the mover, as well as flat belts, but also flat belts for balers and closing + tool to adapt belts)
- Grease
- PTO shafts and parts
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