Grass board source?

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Mitch and George, I first discovered stub guards in much the same way. On a trip to Indiana for HPD I found Amish mowing second cutting alfalfa with out grass boards. Two or three stub guards instead. ( Also called a turtle guard, or pea guard, by the Amish). When I go to HPD, I like to spend one day or afternoon driving in a circle about ten miles from the sight. Most local Amish are out working in their fields without even thinking about HPD. You get a chance to see the equipment and methods that are really common to the area, instead of the latest and greatest. I loaded some loose hay that day, stacked bales on a wagon, and mowed a couple rounds without a grass board.

Just for the fun of it I have done a lot of mowing with out a grass board (usually while clipping pastures). It can be quite a challenge and it improves your technique, but invariably you put it back on for those heavy first cuttings of hay. For one, it is almost impossible to teach some one to mow with out one. Second, I believe the Amish are taking them off and putting them back on ( I think that was true in Indiana as well). Certainly in my neighborhood I have sold about a half a dozen grass boards (sold out) to the Amish in the last four weeks.

You can see why you would take it off for a light, quick drying crop like alfalfa, also stemy and easy to cut. The metal grass boards work fine.

George you may find it easier to mow that first pass against the hedge / fence first. With a six or seven foot bar you usually only need one trip. The mower will mow the rolled over hay and just watch your inner shoe, to prevent plugging. usually leaves a little strip of um mowed.

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