mowerconditioners

A mower conditioner is an agricultural implement that combines a mower with a conditioning mechanism to harvest forage and speed its field drying. It is commonly used in haymaking and silage production to reduce drying time and improve leaf retention. The device cuts the crop and immediately routes the cut material through a conditioning system that bruises, crushes, or crimps the stems, promoting moisture loss.

Most mower conditioners are mounted on a tractor and powered by a PTO drive. The cutter bar or discs perform the cut, while the conditioning unit engages behind or beside the cut material. Conditioning methods fall mainly into two categories: roller conditioners, which use intermeshing or corrugated rolls to pinch and crush the stems; and knife or flail-type conditioners, which abrade or crush the stems against a counter surface or chains, effectively crimping the forage. Some designs use a combination of rollers and a crimping element to achieve the desired effect.

Configurations vary, with disc mower conditioners and bar-type mowers equipped with an integrated conditioner being common. Widths range to suit different tractor power levels and field sizes. The conditioning system is adjustable to accommodate crop type, moisture, and desired drying rate.

Advantages include faster drying, reduced weather risk, and better nutrient preservation in the forage. Drawbacks can include higher purchase and operating costs, greater horsepower requirements, potential leaf loss if set too aggressively, and increased maintenance needs.

Maintenance involves regular lubrication of moving parts, inspection and tensioning of belts, and cleaning of debris from the conditioning rolls and guards. Proper setup and safe operation are essential to minimize crop damage and avoid PTO hazards.