Windrower/Swather

[sixtyninegmc]

What is commonly used for swathing grain to be combined with a pickup head? I see self propelled haybines, are the conditioners disabled or is it a completely different setup from a hay MoCo? Can you just set the rollers wide on the conditioner?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[DeltaRed]

The 'approved' method is a draper swather with no crimpers.I have in the past used a conventional swather(NH499) with ok/mixed results.Cut your grain early in the morning with dew to minimize shatter

 

[sixtyninegmc]

At this point I`m just learning all I can, it will be a ways down the road before I get geared up to do grain, biggest reason I ask is that we are looking at getting a hydro-swing MoCo in the near future, if I can disable or remove the rolls it would make sense to get a haybine to kill two birds with one stone. I would guess that you would want to match the width of the swath to the threshing capacity of the combine? I think that an auger style NH haybine with the rollers removed would do okay, but would the auger make it harder for the pickup head on the combine? What about getting a draper head for the NH pull-behind header hitch, I would think one off of a similar era NH SP swather would fit. I really don`t plan on getting a SP swather at any point, so pull-behind is really prefered.

I apologize if I am asking a bunch of stupid questions, I`m not trying to re-invent the wheel but there is not much grain production around here so I am trying to learn all I can before I take a big leap on equipment, and because I really like the idea of doing grains.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[Dick2]

Where are you located? Swathers used to be common in the upper Midwest, but now they have gone to mostly straight cutting.

You can buy used swathers real cheap in that area. My brother retired from farming in ND, but still has his Case SP swather and a JD pull type swather that haven't sold.

A swather with a canvas/draper delivery system is the best bet for grain.

 

[Fordfarmer]

The rolls can be removed from some (most?)
hydroswing mowers. The auger will knock some of
the grain out - it isn't nearly as gently as
canvas drapers. But it IS done. Shouldn't make
much difference to the combine. Even a 'small'
self-propelled combine should handle the swath
from a 12' mower.
I've never seen a draper head on a hydroswing,
but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. SP
swathers can be hard or easy to find, depending on
where you are, and can be had quite reasonable. I
have about $1500 in my JD 800 now, but am starting
to look for something different. (easier to drive,
so my Dad can run it for me occasionally)

 

[sixtyninegmc]

Thanks for all the good replys, lots of good info. Sounds like the simplest way would just be a straight head on the combine, I don`t know how much of an advantage I would get swathing. It sounds like swathing would speed up drying, I`m in Alaska so we have a short season with cool falls, and eliminate the need for drying equipment for the grain, does that sound about right or am I all backwards?

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

I use my hydro swing on grain that I put up for hay and just open the rollers as wide as they go and slow the pto to half speed or so and increase travel speed I do get some shelling but to aid in drying it would be worth it I would say, like another stated I cut with the dew on to help but it would speed the drying a lot especially if you leave 6" to 10" of stubble for it to sit on to let air flow under the swath, as to a draper on a hydro swing I have thought about doing that swap too but keep in mind a draper reel usally is hyd rasied/ varible for height unlike the fixed reel type on auger units and cleance in the tounge area is a concern my two cents cnt

 

[Fordfarmer]

Here in WI, swathers have become much less common,
partly due to our unpredictable and often wet fall
weather... you need some nice weather after
swathing to allow the grain and straw to dry. If
you can get a window to swath, dry and then
combine, yes, it would be worth it. I just started
swathing this year, but I can remember my Grandpa
having it done. When the weather cooperates, it's
a good way to do it... but I won't be selling my
direct cut head.

Where in Alaska are you? I have a cousin who moved
from northern MN to Fairbanks this summer.

 

[sixtyninegmc]

Sounds like I would be best of to get a cutting head first, and play with swathing later if I choose.

I`m in Fairbanks, grew up up here but spent the last 6 years in Palmer, our version of farm country. My girlfriend grew up in te Iron Range of MN, moved up here a couple years ago, seems to be a lot of folks come up from your area.