He Overseeded Hay Fields With Bush Hog Mower

He Overseeded Hay Fields With Bush Hog Mower HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Mowers 38 Richard Chambers got extra duty out of his field mower Hog this past summer When he wanted to boost production in a grassy hay field he hit it with a broadleaf herbicide and then overseeded clover and alfalfa with his Bush Hog mower “I wanted to get some legumes mixed in with the grass ” he says “By this fall I could see both alfalfa and clover coming up ” All it took was a few simple attachments and a little time Chambers bolted spring-loaded tines to the flail arms to get the scarifying action “On rougher ground you could attach diamond harrow tines instead ” he says The tines scratched up the surface spread out any trash and thinned out the tufts of grass To spread the seed Chambers took advantage of an existing hole just behind the gearbox on the deck of the mower He strapped a 7-in diameter 12-in tall metal container over the hole A sieve at the bottom of the container drops seed under the deck “When the mower is operating the vibration is enough to shake the seed through the sieve ” says Chambers “It’s critical to have the right size sieve holes I got lucky with mine ” The mini seed hopper holds about 10 lbs of alfalfa and clover seed Chambers estimates he applies about 2 lbs per acre As the seed falls through the deck the flail arm and tines scatter it and work it into the dirt To get a heavier seeding rate he simply makes a second pass Chambers is satisfied with the results He likes the idea that removing a few bolts restores the mower to its original purpose Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Richard Chambers 6076 Dunster Station Rd Dunster B C Canada V0J 1J0 ph 250 968-4347

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