"Lightning" Hay Knife

Nope--we're pretty far off from that. We do rely on electricity for things like the water pump, etc. plus--you know--running an online business, the electric workshop tools, etc. and we're not investing in anything like solar panels etc. while we're renting. We're not really looking to off-grid so much.
 
42,
If you want to use one one a haystack, let's set up a few of those scythe/haymaking seminars, couple weeks in Kentucky, couple in Maine. We'll get our hay done and up in stacks and make tuition :).

Seriously, I have a lot of respect for the folks that could make a tight stack that stayed good long enough to need a knife. We can get a couple months out of a stack, with cover and luck! I've been eyeing old corn cribs (the ones with steel cage and tin roof as a trial. I found a nice big one (way too big really), but the guy is storing round bales in it...
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Nope--we're pretty far off from that. We do rely on electricity for things like the water pump, etc. plus--you know--running an online business, the electric workshop tools, etc. and we're not investing in anything like solar panels etc. while we're renting. We're not really looking to off-grid so much.
Click to expand...

Bummer! For sure you don't want to invest time and effort in someone else's property unless there are mutual incentives. Problem with rentals/leases is no landlord has any inclination to give a hoot when utilities aren't included in the rent.
 
We're extraordinarily lucky to be able to have a wood stove despite renting, too. Most landlords wouldn't allow it. Our situation is kind of special, though. The place used to be our landlady's summer residence but she hadn't used it in something like 5 years before we moved in, so she gets the benefit of someone keeping an eye on the place for her.
 
Another good one that's not available in digital format (sadly) is "The Farm Shop" which is a literal textbook (format and everything) written on everything from tool maintenance to basic carpentry, masonry, welding/brazing, sheet metal working, and even drafting. It's out of print but you can find it in good condition for fair prices if you keep an eye out.
 
Lieblad said:
As for haystack, I mow & pile up a haystack a few years now.
Not to feed livestock, just to pissoff a neighbor who thinks my property needs to be groomed to rival his.
Click to expand...

Good on you. I hate neighbors like that. Land just looks better when it's left natural. Granted, we need to put a good portion of it to work. But to manicure it just for aesthetics doesn't do anything for me.
 
Lieblad said:
Nice video.
As for haystack, I mow & pile up a haystack a few years now.
Not to feed livestock, just to pissoff a neighbor who thinks my property needs to be groomed to rival his.
My climate is quite wet over winter, it needs a hayknife were I to open a haystack whats been sitting out all winter.
Its surprising how well preserved the inner hay remains if its stacked correctly.
Click to expand...

I like your attitude! Where approximately do you live? We tend to get strings of warm, wet falls and winters that do some damage. Warm and dry or especially cold and dry make a big difference. We did feed out of one until January a couple years ago, but it had gotten cold earlier.
 
Lieblad said:
Pacific Northwest. Wet side of the mountains...

I stack "hay" from my surrounding yard & fence lines. Its held off the ground by cinderblocks & treated 2x4s, but enough droops down you never know it.
Layering it on in a circular fashion, bottom to top, it sheds rain much as a thatch roof.
Come springtime, its volume is about 1/3. Its top 6" or so a rotted mass, Hayknife would be handy for opening up.

Btw, FourtyTwo.
Love those Horsefaces on top 1/2 of your barndoor !
Makes a guy wonder...
Click to expand...

I see, mainly a matter of loss and use. We stacked against a ~9' pole over 2" of dried brush, tromping as we went along and dressing the sides as we went along and again at the end, and covered loosely with a poly tarp. That was usable after several months one year, but the next it didn't stay usable for more than a couple. That said, I'm pretty picky about what I will feed, and it may still look like good hay superficially. I had some that got rained on, so I piled it up to compost and forgot about it. It bahaved about as you describe.
 
I know that with exposed stacks traditionally the top layer was considered sacrificial rather than as intended as part of the feed. When properly dried, elevated, and the top layer done correctly it was possible for the hay to keep for quite some time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top