CHAPTER XXXIX 



HAY-MAKING MACHINERY 

 MOWERS 



The modern mower has become a standard machine, and 

 the various makes differ in details only. Inventors have 

 devised many styles of cutting machines, but all have given 

 way to the reciprocating knife which acts between guards or 

 fingers, giving a shear cut. 



Types. The center draft mower, with the cutting bar 

 directly behind the team and in front of the driving wheels, 

 is manufactured in a limited way. The main advantage of 

 this type of machine seems to be that the team does not walk 

 over the new-mown grass and tramp it into the stubble 

 This advantage is offset by the convenience of the side cut 

 machine, the type in general use. 



Size. Mowing machines may be secured in almost any 

 size from the one-horse mower of 3J^- or 4-foot cut to the 

 8-foot-cut machine. The 4J/2- and 5-foot cuts are known as 

 the standard machines, and the 6-foot cut as the standard 

 wide-cut machine. The wide-cut machine is usually made 

 somewhat heavier than the standard machines, yet they are 

 adapted only to certain conditions where the service consists 

 largely in straight meadow mowing. 



Construction of Mowers. The weight of a mower 

 determines to some extent its driving power, but this is also 

 increased by the design of the wheels and the distribution 

 of the weight. The drive wheels should be high and have 

 broad tires. The usual widths of tires are 3J^ and 4 inches. 



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