Form # 147021
Issue 05/05
19
OPERATION
GROUND SPEED
CAUTION: Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, or when travelling over rough
ground.
Tractor ground speed should not exceed 8 mph (13 km/h). For most crop conditions a ground speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h) has been found satisfactory.
Choose a ground speed that allows the sickle to cut the crop smoothly and evenly, while giving the desired
windrow formation.
NOTE:
Ground speed affects the orientation of stalks in the windrow. Increasing ground speed will cause the
configuration of the windrow to go from parallel formation to herringbone or dovetail. See "Windrow
Characteristics" in this section.
As ground speed is increased, draper and reel speed should be increased to handle the extra material.
The chart below indicates the relationship between ground speed and area cut for each windrower size.
Example (see arrows below): At ground speed of 5 mph (8 km/h), a 36 ft. windrower will cut approximately 22
acres (9 hectares) per hour.