MachineryLink

It is the end of the May and the haying season has already begun around home in Nebraska or we are close to that first cutting of alfalfa. While the plants continue to grow, experts offer their expertise to getting hay machinery off on the right foot.

Bruce Anderson, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln extension forage specialist, said a maintenance checklist is good idea for hay producers before the season begins.

Anderson said farmers should take some time to inspect, lubricate and service all power-driven areas such as belts, bearings, chains and gears. In addition, belts and chains should have the correct tension set.

On cutting machinery, Anderson suggested producers check, sharpen or replace cutterbar sections or disc blades and adjust wear plates, hold-down clips and guards. Cutterbars also need to have proper knife register.

Also checking the spacing between the conditioning rollers and adjusting roll timing is important. Better conditioning will help your hay dry faster, he said.

On round balers, Anderson suggested farmers frequently inspect belts, chains and slats or rollers for wear. Belts need to be repaired, as it is important to maintain uniform tension. When not in use, keep the belts clean and release belt tension.

On rectangular balers, farmers should check plunger knife clearance and plunger alignment. Inspect the tying mechanism and adjust it as needed.

Pick-up teeth on balers and on rakes frequently are broken or are bent. These need to be replaced and adjusted for height if necessary.

Anderson also suggested hay producers check their stock of replacement parts for frequently broken or replaced items and re-fill their supply where needed.

The Canadian Farm Safety Association also has its own list of maintenance tips.

In addition to the tips Anderson gave, the Farm Safety Association also suggests farmers check lights, reflectors and Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs. Properly working fire extinguishers should also be available.

Care should be taken when handling large bales of hay, whether they are round or large square bales. A large bale has quite a bit of weight behind it, sufficient enough to crush a human body, the safety association points out.

Baler operators should never attempt to unplug a baler or carry out adjustments and repairs with the power engaged. It recommended the tractor engine be shut off, the PTO disengaged and the ignition key removed.

Safety is also important after the bales are made. Safe handling is another area hay producers should consider.

Place bales (especially round bales) in a manner that will minimize the potential for rolling.

On our own farm, we have had this issue. Several years ago my dad baled round bales of brome grass for a church in a suburban area of Omaha. After the hay was baled, a wind storm came up and actually rolled one bale down the hill into one of the neighbor's backyard. Luckily no damage was done by the rolling bale.

The equipment handling the bales of hay should be large enough to handle the weight of the bales and also should be properly counterweighted. When transporting bales, use properly designed equipment that incorporates restraining devices.

On our own farm we put up hay 20 to 25 miles away and then transport it home at the end of the haying season. We haul with one straight truck with the side of the box removed and a pickup with a gooseneck flatbed trailer.

We learned that law enforcement (well, at least Nebraska law enforcement) wants you tie down the bales, not only over the top of the bales but around them as well. Luckily, it was just a warning ticket for a tail-light which did not work.

The last point the Farm Safety Association wants hay producers to remember is to always carry bales as low to the ground as possible when moving them with a loader tractor. Many tractor tip-over accidents have occurred when the bale was high off the ground.

Follow these maintenance and safety tips and hopefully your hay harvesting this growing season will be very productive.

(JP/CZ)

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