Flushing Bar Project

mnmthunting said:
Few are going to want this contraption on there tractor while haying. For instance tractors are also used for raking, baling, moving bales and whatever.
Trust me.:)
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I would agree. It being mower mounted complicates the issue from a design perspective, but the trade off is it is more likley to be used.
 
I have had the 'priviledge", to wander the hay aisles with a old 501# sickle bar, doesn't do much for damage to birds, too damn slow, I did a 160@ one year, and it was gruesomely toilsome. I tried a Hesston 1016 mowco, better, could not keep avoid wildlife easily, by the time you tried to keep your wits and pay attenion to you own safety. A loader frame on the tractor is a pain. I support the theory, but the ability to delay harvest of alfalfa, with a later maturing variety, ( I realize the quicker maturity allows for more cuts, and before we have aphids, and there associated blister beatles to contend with, before the 10% bloom rate), If out GM vendors, I guess they have
Roundup@ treated crop now, could delay maturity, have a heavier harvest, ( beeter leaf density), develope nutrition in the stem,( there isn't virtually), allow for delayed harvesting, do two cuttings with the same as 4 cuttings, it would help nest,and brood problems. It would also do to less compaction, fuel cost, labor, machinery maintenence. I see that is the real solution. I would sure contribute to that!
 
oldandnew said:
Roundup@ treated crop now, could delay maturity, have a heavier harvest, ( beeter leaf density), develope nutrition in the stem,( there isn't virtually), allow for delayed harvesting, do two cuttings with the same as 4 cuttings, it would help nest,and brood problems. It would also do to less compaction, fuel cost, labor, machinery maintenence. I see that is the real solution. I would sure contribute to that!
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That problem is that relative feed value of alfalfa drops as the plant matures. For dairy guys thats big, if you are looking for volume for a beef herd that would maybe work.
 
There is research being done to retain stem protien in the plant, to retain protien level later. Biggest issue for me is as the crop matures, and blooms, I am fearful of blister beatles. In my fields here, if the field is over 10% mature, the protien count decreases daily,and the blister beatles arrive expotentially! , Lespezdea is working on stem protien count as well. As it is to get the highest value 240 RFV+ it's rush to get in and get the rabbit feed baled! At least lespedeza has a long term of viability, tonnage, as well as protien count, which about 14% even if it's barely green. It can not produce the tonnage or the multiple cuttings, leave shatter in as problem, no protien at all in the stems, sure no high count protien. I realize the "goal" is the 240 RFV alfalfa, but the first cut is the killer on birds, in that cut, it is the worse cut of all, stemmy, 18-24% protien, hard to cure the moisture out, not sure that cutting is vary valuable, just do it to get to the later cuttings, where the money is. Face it we need a later crop, or better harvest technology. Beater bars don't do well on sitting hens, or flight-less chicks.
 
oldandnew said:
I realize the "goal" is the 240 RFV alfalfa, but the first cut is the killer on birds, in that cut, it is the worse cut of all, stemmy, 18-24% protien, hard to cure the moisture out, not sure that cutting is vary valuable, just do it to get to the later cuttings, where the money is. Face it we need a later crop, or better harvest technology. Beater bars don't do well on sitting hens, or flight-less chicks.
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First cutting is tuff to get put up right. Haylage solves a lot of those issues. Except the pulverizing of birds.
 
In the discussion of the role of flushing bars I think we have to make some assumptions in order to get to design:

Assumption #1 - Operators have to GO at a optimal time which often is during peak nesting and they feel bad about killing wildlife. Enter...the flushing bar

Assumption #2 - the further out in front the flushing bar the better for wildlife in general for a number of reasons.

Assumption #3 - Needs to be easy to use, install and not inhibit haying process.

Assumption #4 - there are other advantages of flushing bar use than haying like doing mechanical weed control on CRP.
 
Distance critical for sucess

Chris, all good observations. The bar pictures I posted are from a pretty heavy bar I built. I used a heavy plate to help hold the bar stable when not attached to the tractor which was a problem with some of the bars as the mast center of gravity is high and offset pretty far to get the mast supporting box iron where the operator can see the joint and pin. Might be better to move that closer to the center. Those I made so you could pick them up with forks would tip on the forks toward the bar when you deployed it for mowing. I really like having the bar on some kind of quick attach plate as it is held firm and square, also easy on and off for the farmer. Note that the mast and bar can be quickly detached as well if the bar was bolted to a frame on the front of the tractor. I have also seen pictures of very simple bars made from nothing but wood and chains, this does not necessarily have to be complex. I do think placing it right on the mower really won't do much and has a greater potential to dammage the machines if it were to fall off. Also the operator can't see it or the wildlife unless they happen to be looking back and I suspect many more birds will be saved if the operator can react and stop. I think one advantage to running a bar is that you can watch the inner most chain to help keep the mower in the right position, all that looking back gets a little painful. The comments on forages are right on. I also promoted planting native warm season grasses as an alternative to alfalfa. These grasses peak in quality much later in the season allowing most of the nesting season for breeding. We have several fields where we planted a block of this forage in the middle of normal cool season hay to provide a refuge to flee into and renesting grounds for displaced hens. Yeild potential is comparable to cool season hay, and you only need to cut twice to get it. Google Laura Paine and warm season grass Wisconsin for studys.
 
I just found a 20' flexwing pull behind rotary mower I will be using for CRP maintenance. Mower is an RCM5020 LandPride

We will have our mechanic fabricate a flushing bar to be mounted on front of tractor to match 20' width. I will leave it to him on best design. Would think we will end up with a center section that can be hand lifted and mounted to front of tractor and then have right and left sections that can be hand lifted and mounted after center is installed.

I would think these side sections could move out of way for obstacles and also be secured out of way similar to when/how batwings are lifted up for transport on mower.

My plan is to secure a video camera to the inside of cab windshield to get so good footage of the device in use and performing as designed.
 
thanks for the link chris-----plus keeping this thread alive;). I hope this thing catches on. Time will tell.


Nick
 
Good to see the flushing bar is getting allot of attention. What time of year do you do most of your mowing? I know allot of farmers are haying during nesting but I avoid mowing any time around nesting. Do you hay your fields or what is the purpose of your mowing?
 
Freeborn said:
Good to see the flushing bar is getting allot of attention. What time of year do you do most of your mowing? I know allot of farmers are haying during nesting but I avoid mowing any time around nesting. Do you hay your fields or what is the purpose of your mowing?
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No haying. CRP maintenance (mowing and/or spraying). If you are doing thistle management or new establishment you are going to be in the field clipping or spraying during nesting season.
 
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