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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

whats a swather and a windrower

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markct

09-11-2003 19:08:59




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i am sorta under the impression that a swather is like a haybine that is self propeled and a windrower is like a self propeled hay rake but i may be completly wrong. i have seen these terms used but i dont think i have ever seen any pictures of either, around here everyone uses haybines and rollabar rakes. could anyone explain what these machines are like an what they are used for. thanks




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JMS/MN

09-12-2003 08:09:49




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 Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to markct, 09-11-2003 19:08:59  
Haybine is a NH copyright, while the generic term for other manufacturers is mower-conditioner, or moco. Self-propelled swathers have a draper(canvas) platform, and can be equipped with a conditioner unit when cutting hay. It is not used when swathing grain because it would knock the grain out of the heads. Windrowers are usually equipped with an auger platform and used only for hay, since the auger would damage the grain. Terms are also interchangeable around here, somewhat out of habit, and sooner or later everyone understands what is being talked about.

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paul

09-14-2003 09:12:52




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 Re: Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to JMS/MN, 09-12-2003 08:09:49  
Yup, that's the way it is in Minnesota. :)

--->Paul



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Indydirtfarmer

09-12-2003 03:47:45




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 Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to markct, 09-11-2003 19:08:59  
It has to do with what the end result is. Swathed hay, wheat, ect, is basicly just cut, and put on the ground, in nearly the same width as the cutter. Windrowed hay is gathered into a narrow row that can be handled by a baler. (Or at least that's what I've always been told) Most swathers have the ability to windrow, by adjusting "gates" on the rear of the swather, that direct the cut material into a narrow row. As is the case with most things, the concept is a "regional" thing. You might go a few miles down the road, and get a whole 'nuther explaination. Swathing is usually done to facilitate drying the crop after cutting. Windrowing is MUCH more common in my part of the country. From what I've seen, most "swathers" have conditioning rollers, but they aren't always used. It all depends on what you're doing with it. I hear the term swather used more from wheat growing area's. Most of the time, they are talking about self-propelled swathers, but they can just as well be pulled by a tractor. In the mid-west, where I'm from, you'll see mostly pull-type, working in hay. Like I said, the folks from another part of the country, might tell you something else. Someone should print a "dictionary of farm terms" so us dummies can all speak the same language!

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Ray,IN

09-12-2003 19:24:15




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 Re: Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 09-12-2003 03:47:45  
A mower/conditioner may be adjusted to lay the hay into swaths or windrows by adjusting the wings in the rear of the machine. I windrow grass hay and swath legumes. Indiana has really humid weather and even crimped, legumes require 2-4 days drying time. Grasses will dry in 1-3 days when crimped. BTW, ever see a snake go through the rollers? They don't even wiggle when they hit the ground.



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Hal/WA

09-11-2003 23:23:29




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 Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to markct, 09-11-2003 19:08:59  
It is a little confusing, isn't it? Around here, the grass seed farmers swath their nearly mature grass and then combine the windrows after the grass has dried out some more. Hay farmers also may use swathers to cut and windrow their crop and especially with alfalfa, may condition the hay for faster drying by squishing the hay between tow crimping rollers before it lays it down in the windrow.

I thought I had it all figured out--that the self propelled hay or grass cutters with a reel like a combine were swathers. Then I started hearing about pull-type swathers and then haybines. I think I have read that haybine is a trademark of New Holland, but that term has become a general use word for a pull-type swather, just like Kleenex is commonly used for facial tissue. What you call it probably doesn't make much difference, just so you get the meaning across. If I am wrong, somebody please correct me.

Isn't English interesting?

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Jimmy King

09-12-2003 05:02:39




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 Re: Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to Hal/WA, 09-11-2003 23:23:29  
I had an old friend who was a IHC and a NH mechanic He said New Holland was a Haybine all others were mower conditioners.



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Sid

09-11-2003 19:53:37




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 Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to markct, 09-11-2003 19:08:59  
Around here what we call a swather and or windrower are the same. They are used to cut small grains and grass seed. They cut with a sickle bar the crop then falls on a canvas platform wich moves the crop and dumps it into a windrow wich is later picked up with a combine with a pickup attachment on it. They also have a reel like a combine. By using a swather you can cut the crop a little before it is ready and let the seed dry. Many times grass seed will be blown out before it is cut if it is left standing until it reaches the desired moisture content. More often than not a swather will result in more and drier seed. I have not seen them used in a haying operation. They come in pull type as well as selfpropeled models.

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Jake

09-11-2003 23:05:40




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 Re: Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to Sid, 09-11-2003 19:53:37  
Windrowers/swathers are often used in haying operation. There is a crimper attachment added to the windrower. After the hay dumps off the canvas it goes through the crimper rollers then drops on the ground. The purpose of the crimper is to crush and break the alfalfa stems so they dry faster to proper moisture content for baling.

I just heard the other day that certain parts of the country do not crimp hay becuase of a certain insect also gets crushed releasing toxins that contaminate the hay. Is that true or did I get things mixed up?

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Phil in MS

09-12-2003 05:57:04




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 Re: Re: Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to Jake, 09-11-2003 23:05:40  
Jake,

A Blister Beetle feeds on alfalfa and maybe other hay and forage crops. Just a few of these babies are deadly to horses and other livestock. If horse hay is conditioned then the owners should inspect the hay carefully when fed to prevent any death losses. As I said I understand it only takes a few and these beetles tend to gather when feeding on alfalfa. Unconditioned hay is not a problem because the beetles fly off, but if conditioned the rollers roll over the beetles before they can fly off and now they are killed and are baled in the hay.

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I Like Case

09-11-2003 20:50:09




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 Re: Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to Sid, 09-11-2003 19:53:37  
They are very much used in haying operations also. Same method as in harvest but the windrows are picked up with a baler instead of a combined.



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buickanddeere

09-11-2003 19:11:43




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 Re: whats a swather and a windrower in reply to markct, 09-11-2003 19:08:59  
A swather turns into a windrower when driven from the Canadian to American side of the border.



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