3.16.4
Ground Speed
CAUTION
Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, or travelling over rough ground.
Choose a ground speed that allows the cutterbar and conditioner to cut the crop smoothly and evenly. Try different
combinations of mower conditioner speed and ground speed to suit your speci
fi
c crop. Refer to your tractor operator’s
manual for changing ground speed.
In tough cutting conditions (such as native grasses), set the disc speed to MAXIMUM.
In light crops, reduce the mower conditioner’s disc speed while maintaining ground speed.
NOTE:
Operating the mower conditioner at the minimum disc speed will extend the wear life of cutting components.
The example shown in Figure
3.87: Ground Speed for 13-Foot Mower Conditioner, page 80
illustrates the relationship
between ground speed and area cut for a 13-foot mower conditioner. The chart demonstrates that a ground speed
of 13 mph (21 km/h) would produce an area cut of approximately 20 acres (8 hectares) per hour.
Figure 3.87: Ground Speed for 13-Foot Mower Conditioner
A - Acres/Hour
B - Hectares/Hour
C - Kilometers/Hour
D - Miles/Hour
3.16.5
Conditioning: Roll Type
Rolls condition the crop by crimping and crushing the stem in several places allowing the release of moisture and
resulting in faster drying times.
169820
80
Revision A
