Windrow Diverter Fits Self-Propelled Haybine

Windrow Diverter Fits Self-Propelled Haybine SWATHERS Swathers 21-6-6 "There's a commerical diverter on the market that would have fit my machine but I didn't like the way it works and I also couldn't justify the $6,500 price tag," says Larry Gingrich, LeRoy, Mich., who designed and built his own windrow diverter to mount on his self-propelled New Holland 2550 Haybine. It sets cut hay down in a windrow next to the uncut hay. When you turn to go back to the other end of the field, you raise the side arm and let the hay throw next to the previous row. That puts the two rows close enough together to chop, bale or rake in one pass. "My unit is sturdier than the one on the market with bigger rollers and more ground clearance. The way I designed the belt assembly on the table, hay does not get caught in it. It also handles a larger volume of hay per hour," says Madden, noting that he spent just $1,800 to build his unit. "All materials used were standard equipment. I had the side rail bent at a fabrication shop. The end rollers were made from 4-in. steel and a steel rod. I bought the seamless belt from a belting supplier to the length I needed. I tapped into the hydraulic system on the Haybine so there's no extra power system needed. I put a control valve in the cab. "I believe this diverter saves me about 250 hrs. of labor a year, not to mention the extra wear and tear on machinery. In addition, getting the feed in faster increases quality, resulting in more milk production. "One additional unique feature of my unit is the fact that the Haybine can still be used conventionally to lay out a wide windrow behind the machine. The adjustment takes less than a minute, with no removal of the unit." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Larry Gingrich, 14888 18 Mile Rd., LeRoy, Mich. 49655 (ph 616 768-4293).

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