Hesston guards

[molinegb]

Anyone use these type of guards. Have some and won't cut fine hay. Would be better to go to a different guard. Guards stand up good with little wear and are strong. Do top pieces have to be changed often. Knife is lifting in some guards. Old type just adjust when worn. On a 1014 12 ft.

 

[rrlund]

I had them on a 1010 back in the late 80s, early 90s. I bought a new 1120 in 93 and it had regular guards and hold downs. I don't remember having any particular problem with them.

 

[molinegb]

I had them on a 1010 back in the late 80s, early 90s. I bought a new 1120 in 93 and it had regular guards and hold downs. I don't remember having any particular problem with them.

Did you have any June grass ,prairie wool? Some of best mowers struggle to cut.

 

[rrlund]

I don't know what your prairie grass even is. A little patch of June grass here and there.

 

[molinegb]

I don't know what your prairie grass even is. A little patch of June grass here and there.

Short like 6 inches high. If you can cut it is best feed. Natural grass on the prairies. When you cut it is like a fibreglass, guess why called wool. Will not find if field has been cultivated unless long time back.

 

[rrlund]

Short like 6 inches high. If you can cut it is best feed. Natural grass on the prairies. When you cut it is like a fibreglass, guess why called wool. Will not find if field has been cultivated unless long time back.

Sounds like the reason disc mowers were invented.

 

[molinegb]

Sounds like the reason disc mowers were invented.

No disc mowers around here. Common up north. Seals off air and maintains moisture.

 

[farmersamm]

My old 1014 had the tie guards on it when I bought it 30yrs ago. I tossed them.

The standard guards work better in finer hay (not sure about that pic of yours, I'd be hesitant to say they'd work in that.) You have to be the judge.

When new, these do a fine job with our type of prairie hay...............mostly Bluestem. The tight slot acts as an "anvil", and the sickle section will slice the grass because the stems are supported against that narrow slot.

However............as the slot wears, the sickle simply pushes the stem in the slot, and the knife won't cut it........it will just snag the grass.

When the guard wears like this, it will still cut stalky crops like Haygrazer, Oats, or Wheat.................but forget Prairie Hay. I used to put new sickle sections on every season, and replace guards the second season (if lucky), unless they showed wear like above.

I still think a sickle mower, properly set up, with a conditioner, and adjustable windrow forming shields, will outperform a disc mower. Wider cutting width, and no raking involved.

 

[farmersamm]

Just a bit of conversation.....................

I've just finished a 2 season renovation of one field. I had to run a disc mower on it because of trouble with a Blackberry intrusion, and some small saplings hidden in the grass. This field is 100% Johnson Grass now. It even had an infestation of Goldenrod.

Anyways...................... Johnson Grass that was cut with the old 1014 swather was more palatable. The conditioner broke the stems. The disc mower does not break the stems.....just lays it down. Cows still eat it tolerably well.......but prefer it when cut with the 1014.

And, it might be the slower drydown in a windrow that makes the difference..........I dunno. But I do know the hay coming off the 1014 feeds better.