Are hay tedders necessary?
Tedders are intended to be used on crops while they are still higher in moisture and pliable. A crop that is overly dry should not be tedded due to loss of leaf material. So, for most farmers, a tedder is a needed implement.
What is hay tedding?
A traditional European technique, tedding is the process used by growers to cure mown hay, particularly in cooler climates where drying hay thoroughly can be a challenge. Tedding speeds up drying of hay and other forage through physical manipulation: Mixing helps rotate dry grass with green.
Why is it called a tedder?
A horse-drawn implement for fluffing hay after it was cut, and primarily after windrowing. It was intended to stir up and turn over extra heavy hay to help the part near the ground to dry, or to help the drying of cut grass that had been dampened by an unexpected rain.
What is the difference between tedding and raking hay?
In order to speed the drying time of the hay, tedding is generally done the second day after the hay has been mowed or after a heavy rainfall. Raking, however, is not done until the hay has less than 35 percent to 45 percent moisture content. Raking is usually done right before baling.
Can you tedder hay with dew on it?
hillside hay I usually do it with the dew even with grass hay. I go a little less aggressive when I ted seeking more to aerate the windrow under ideal conditions to preserve color.
Should you Ted hay?
Some experts indicate tedding can increase hay drying rates by 20 to 40 percent in certain areas. Initial tedding should be performed after a brief wilting period following a morning cutting while the hay is still moist (two to four hours). In very damp conditions, tedding may need to be done immediately after cutting.
What is it called to cut hay?
A tedder (also called hay tedder) is a machine used in haymaking. The use of a tedder allows the hay to dry (“cure”) better, which results in improved aroma and color.
Why do you fluff hay?
Tedding, the next step in haymaking, fluffs up the cut hay and allows the air and sun to contact the undersurfaces to promote drying. Some people ted immediately after mowing to spread out the swath. Hay tedders are generally wide units with several orbital wheels that lift the hay as they turn.
How many times should you tedder hay?
Initial tedding should be performed after a brief wilting period following a morning cutting while the hay is still moist (two to four hours). In very damp conditions, tedding may need to be done immediately after cutting. A second pass is usually done the next day, and the hay is raked and baled that afternoon.
What is the difference between a rake and a tedder?
Can you Ted hay with dew on it?
If drying conditions are lousy and rain is coming or hay is heavy may ted a second time. This is for any type, grass or legume or mix, if lots of legume use slow rpm and do it with dew on. Often times you only have a few hour window to do it right.
What kind of machine is used to make hay?
A tedder (also called hay tedder) is a machine used in haymaking.
When do you use a Tedder to make hay?
It is used after cutting and before windrowing, and uses moving forks to aerate or “wuffle” the hay and thus speed up the process of hay-making. The use of a tedder allows the hay to dry (“cure”) better, which results in improved aroma and color.
Why do you need a bale thrower?
A bale thrower increases productivity in the field and reduces the labor required to put up your hay. The bale thrower easily handles 38 in. long bales up to 65 pounds.