Beyond the scythe- homestead grain harvesting

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I am working on coming up with a sort of handle to attach to a hedge trimmer to create a kind of gas powered scythe. Does anyone have any ideas regarding this? I am also considering coming up with a kind of modified grain cradle. Also has anyone else heard of running the harvested grain through a mulcher for threshing?

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit farm (littleBit@compworldnet.com), October 18, 2001

Answers

I think your idea on the power hedge trimmer will be more tiring to use than a good sharp scythe. The American styles are better suited to cutting brush. The European scythes are much lighter and stay sharp better. I beleive putting the grain through a mulcher would cause much damage to the grain seed causeing much waste and rapid spoilage. I am working on an attatchment for a "Jerri" sickle mower to windrow the cuttings. The simplest theresher is a flaile. Ken

-- Ken (mvd00821@mvtel.net), May 06, 2002.

I don't think the weight will be as much of a factor because their won't be as much swinging. Another idea would be to mmount it onto some type of wheeled contraption that could be pushed. Sicklebar mowers are expensive.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (bittlelitfarm@aol.com), May 11, 2002.


Little Bit, You asked for an idea, well here is one that you might consider. Since I am not sure what type of hedge trimmer you have I will have to leave the details to you. I think that this idea will be best if you consider pulling it instead of pushing it. Take a hand truck (cheap one) and mount the trimmer at a 30-45 degree angle so that when you are pulling it it will be level with the ground. Mount it securely to the frame and bottom plate. You can push this too, same concept, just make it so that when you are holding it at working level the trimmer is level with the ground. You might even be able to mount a larger fuel tank to the hand truck frame, and if so inclined make the throttle controls up near the top of the handle so you can control it better. You can also try mounting it on an old lawn mower frame, the side vent would be a good place to have the trimmer blades go. This way the frame, handle and wheels are already assembled. I hope that tis is useful. Regards,

-- jonathan (jonathan_sz@yahoo.com), May 14, 2002.

Sounds pretty good Jonathan. I think pushing would be better because you wouldn't be stepping on the grain. However for hay harvesting I think a trimmer mower works well. We have one of these. My son was cutting a friends yard yesterday due to her being in the hospital. The grass was about a foot tall. I may go out and rake that grass into windrows today. It was mostly oats and it seems such a waste when I have animals at home who could eat it during winter. I'm not sure how we'll tote it over here as our pick up is broken, but I'll find a way.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit farm (Bittlelitfarm@aol.com), May 15, 2002.


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