Today, during haymaking, tools such as a scythe and a rake are rarely found. Almost no one uses them. There are a huge number of devices and technologies that make life easier for the modern farmer. These include horse mowers. They are able to speed up hay harvesting at times. Therefore, we will consider this tool in more detail and get acquainted with all its advantages and disadvantages.
A few words about the scope
Haymaking, like any other job, has certain requirements. They include:
- Speed. Hay must be harvested as quickly as possible. During flowering, the grass accumulates the maximum amount of nutrients. Therefore, you need to have time to collect it at this moment.
- Quality. Grass should be mowed as low as possible. The better the work of the mowing, the more hay will be harvested.
- Accuracy. When harvesting hay, the scythe should not touch the ground. The presence of dirt and turf in mowed grass is unacceptable.
Design
Horse mower - a device designed for harvesting grass. The principle of its work is quite simple. During the forward movement of the horse, the grass falls under the blade and is cut off. Mowed grass remains in place of the cut. Then it remains only to dry the grass and collect.
The frame in the mower is made of cast iron. It is supported by two running wheels and a drawbar. The cutting unit is located on the right side of the frame. It is connected with a hinge. Above is a seat for a scythe. Near it there are levers for controlling a horse mower. In addition, the mower consists of the following parts:
- Cutting machine.
- Drawbar.
- Lever for tilting the cutting unit.
- Running wheel
- Seat.
- Lifting arm.
- Ratchet clutch.
- Cylindrical and bevel gears.
- Field divider.
- Outrigger.
The cutting unit is the main part of the mower. It is he who cuts the grass stem. Its design includes:
- Timber.
- The back of the knife.
- Segment.
- Presser foot.
- Friction plate.
- Finger.
- Finger plate.
Principle of operation
Horse mowers are ideal for harvesting grass over large areas. Using this device will not be difficult even for a beginner. First you need to harness a horse to him. For the worker on the mower, a seat is provided, on which the mower guides the horse and controls the device using levers.
The knives in the cutting unit must be sharpened well. If you notice that the mower did not begin to cut, but to tear the grass, it means that it is time to sharpen the blade. To do this, resort to the help of a special sharpener.
Horse Mowing Technique
In order for the mower to work correctly, you need to check its serviceability. After that, you need to be able to properly adjust it. It is worth paying attention to the following nuances:
- Pull the string. The plates should be in the same plane. Everything that protrudes must be lowered and the lowered plates raised.
- If there are defective fingers on the cutting unit, they must be replaced with new ones.
- The knife should be straight. Also, it should move freely between the fingers.
- The distance between the segment and the presser foot should not exceed 1 mm.
- Check the shape of the finger. It should be in the shape of a cylinder. If it is deformed or does not fit snugly on the diene, it must be urgently replaced.
- The location of the knife and connecting rod should be strictly parallel to the axis of the wheels.
When using the horse mower, do not forget to lubricate all its mechanisms.
Safety regulations
When working with any cutting tool, you must strictly observe safety precautions. Horse mowers have simple operating rules:
- Do not check the mower for proper operation.
- It is necessary to clean the cutting machine, standing behind the mower, and only with a stick.
- When lifting the beam, it is necessary to hold on strictly to it, without touching the fingers of the cutting parts.
- Mechanisms can only be lubricated when the mechanism is off.
User reviews
As a haymaker, a horse mower, reviews of which differ, has its pros and cons.
User reviews indicate that these devices have several advantages and disadvantages. In particular, the disadvantages include large dimensions, leading to rapid fatigue of horses during haying. In addition, the mowing process should take place only in dry weather, otherwise the cutting knives are clogged with grass and blocked.
However, minor disadvantages overlap with the existing advantages. Firstly, the use of horses greatly speeds up the process of haymaking. The manual method is not so productive. Secondly, if, in addition to everything, a horse-drawn mower was made with its own hands, its owner significantly saves on components. Thirdly, working with horses is a great pleasure for those who love animals.
DIY horse mower
If your financial capabilities do not allow you to purchase a horse mower, you can do it yourself. There are many craftsmen who manage to build a device that is not inferior in its characteristics to factory mowers .
So all the same - how to make a horse-drawn mower with your own hands? For this you will need:
- Scheme. Drawing it yourself is not required. All possible drawings can be found in the literature with a detailed description of the details.
- Spare parts. Having studied the circuit in detail, take care of purchasing all the necessary spare parts. The basic set consists of a drawbar, a cutting apparatus, running wheels, a crank mechanism, a connecting rod, a field board, a field board rod, a lever for changing the tilt of the fingers, and a lever for lifting the finger beam. Having compiled a list, go to the agricultural machinery store, where you can find everything you need to assemble a horse mower. However, for some parts you can use improvised materials. For example, car wheels can be used as a chassis.
- Assembly. It must be carried out only if you are familiar with the principle of operation of the device. Otherwise, it is better to seek the help of a competent specialist, since the design of the mower involves the interconnection of the main mechanisms. Failure to comply with the connections will lead to improper assembly and inoperability of the device.
- Tool. For assembly, you will need a set of keys, heads, a welding machine, etc.
- Savvy. Factory-made horse mowers are made using various modern technologies. Do not try to completely copy their device. Somewhere, you may have to go to the trick and be smart. But that is why horse-drawn mowers of their own assembly are distinguished by their uniqueness and uniqueness.