Publication Date
1997
Description
Forage maceration is an intensive conditioning technique applied at mowing with high speed rolls. Maceration has been observed to enhance the field wilting rate, produce a more efficient silage fermentation and accelerate ruminal degradation. An important technical hurdle has been to scale up maceration for wide mowers without reducing capacity. The paper descibes a three-roll maceration unit that was integrated in a self-propelled 4.2 m wide mower. A capacity of 2.75 ha/h and throughputs up to 14 t DM (dry matter)/h or 64 t WM (wet matter)/h were achieved in alfalfa and timothy. Compared to a commercial mower-conditioner, the macerator increased field drying rates by 25 to 35%. A deposition conveyor was judged unnecessary as it did not reduce losses and did not improve the drying rate. Maceration followed by inversion could save one field drying day out of three traditionally needed for haymaking.
Citation
Savoie, P; Tremblay, D; Lajoie, J; Roberge, M; and Lemay, S P., "Forage Maceration on a Self-Propelled Mower: Effect of Windrow Deposition and Inversion" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 3.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session14/3
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Forage Maceration on a Self-Propelled Mower: Effect of Windrow Deposition and Inversion
Forage maceration is an intensive conditioning technique applied at mowing with high speed rolls. Maceration has been observed to enhance the field wilting rate, produce a more efficient silage fermentation and accelerate ruminal degradation. An important technical hurdle has been to scale up maceration for wide mowers without reducing capacity. The paper descibes a three-roll maceration unit that was integrated in a self-propelled 4.2 m wide mower. A capacity of 2.75 ha/h and throughputs up to 14 t DM (dry matter)/h or 64 t WM (wet matter)/h were achieved in alfalfa and timothy. Compared to a commercial mower-conditioner, the macerator increased field drying rates by 25 to 35%. A deposition conveyor was judged unnecessary as it did not reduce losses and did not improve the drying rate. Maceration followed by inversion could save one field drying day out of three traditionally needed for haymaking.
