Session 6:
Introduction to Lifting and Cutting Equipment:

Mowers, Conditioners, Tedders & Rakes

Aim of the session:

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• give examples of different types of mowers.
• describe how mowers work.
• explain how the mowers operate.

Note:

Before operation of any machine make sure you familiarise yourself with the following.

• Risk assessment
• Adherence to industry safety guidance and operator’s manual
• Safe start and stop
• Monitoring of machine performance and output
• Effective communications
• Clearance of blockages
• Conversion between work and transport positions
• Economic operation
• Safe and efficient operation

Mowers

Function

To cut grass of varying type, length and condition, then present it for further operations, e.g.

• tedding
• rows (raking)
• picking up by forage harvester, etc.

Mowers

• Swath – A line or row of cut grass thrown together by the machine.
• For many years, mowers were of the cutter bar type. However, these machines have now been replaced by rotary mowers and to a lesser extent, the flail mower.

Cutter Bar Mower

• The reciprocating knife cutting mechanism is similar to that of a combine harvester.
• The knife is driven by the power take off through a crank and pitman (connecting rod).
• The drive crank runs at approx 500rpm giving about 1,000 cutting strokes per minute.
• The knife stroke is 75mm and safety devices include a cutter bar break back mechanism, slip clutch in the main drive and the drive belts.

Rotary Mower

• Rotary mowers have a high work rate and a relative freedom from blockages, even in heavy or tangled crops.
• Working speeds of up to 15km/h can be achieved in good working conditions.
• Either mounted on a three-point linkage, or trailed and are driven by the power take off.
• Some are front mounted, leaving the rear linkage free for mounting a second offset mower.

Drum Mowers

Contra-rotating drums with free-swinging knives cut the crop and eject a swath rearward from the machine.

At the end of the session, you are now able to:

• give examples of different types of agricultural mowers.
• describe and explain how mowers operate.