Spreader hood or tedding out?

[Rob Holmes]

Does using a spreader hood on a mower conditioner eliminate the need for tedding out, or would you still do it?

 

[Al R]

Still do it

 

[Tarw Coch]

Still do it, grass from a spreader mower still lands leaf on top, stalk underneath, unless cut in very dry conditions the stem usually is damp, tedding out will expose more of the wetter stem to the sun.

 

[tr250]

Does using a spreader hood on a mower conditioner eliminate the need for tedding out, or would you still do it?

Depends! Hay or silage bales or clamp?

 

[Rob Holmes]

Clamp

 

[tr250]

Clamp

Don’t bother at all then. We merge 2 swaths close together and pick them straight up with the forager. Far too much silaging is messed about and got too dry these days a habit that has become out of baled silage needing to be dryer to stack

 

[Al R]

Clamp

Way way to many variables, what can be best if the weather is right is not ted but rake up as soon as the dew has lifted and then lift a few hours after once it’s dried on top Tell your contractor what DM you want and most will try and aim for it

 

[Boohoo]

As well as the weather, it depends on the mower. Some leave grass sitting up and spread full width better than any tedder would, other leave a wide row that's stuck to the ground and makes you wonder if the conditioner has done anything.

 

[HarryB97]

I never bother tedding out just adjust the spread width depending on the amount of crop and the weather. If you are clamping it you don’t want it dryer like bales.

 

[Yale]

I always wide swath the grass so not to run on it with tractor wheels,also let’s the ground dry in between a little then if needed I’ll spread it out.

Generally it needs spreading if the grass is wet,as in external moisture rather than lush.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Whoa whoa whoa, tedding out for making clamp silage may well be necessary if you haven't got the weather to help you. Dull days or heavy dew etc are a thing in some parts of the world, I've said before that all dairy farmers should own or have access to a tedder even if it doesn't get used one year to the next. Nothing worse than overly wet silage. You're hauling water and it can get acidic as fudge, stinging both your cow's and your pocket in the long run.

What looks easy in Hampshire is a far cry from what might happen on the Cornish coast or in Ireland where the grass crops are very heavy and full of moisture to begin with.

 

[Sid]

Ted straight behind mower every time

 

[Farmer_Joe]

Most people I know do as above Ted straight after mover, as my ancient jd328 has a full width spreading kit I don’t have to do this so can rest for a day them Ted a day later

 

[Bullring]

Some mowers spread and condition better than others, I find metal conditioner tines wilt the grass far better than plastic ones, once the plastic ones start to wear the spread pattern alters and conditioning gets poorer. I have metal ones on my newer mower having previously had plastic ones and I can take a day off baling from what it use to be and yes I still ted out behind a few hours later, makes a lot of difference.