{"id":1130,"date":"2026-08-27T03:46:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T03:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/?p=1130"},"modified":"2026-08-27T03:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T03:46:25","slug":"timothy-grass-hay-raking-speed-pressure-and-windrow-timing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/ar\/application\/timothy-grass-hay-raking-speed-pressure-and-windrow-timing\/","title":{"rendered":"Timothy Grass Hay Raking: Speed, Pressure and Windrow Timing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Hay Raking for Timothy Grass: Speed, Pressure and Windrow Timing<\/h2>\n

\n Timothy grass hay raking differs from alfalfa raking in three measurable ways: higher stem-to-leaf ratio (65-75% stem by dry weight vs 55-65% for alfalfa), greater stem lignification by the second cut, and a wider acceptable moisture window at raking (35-55% vs 35-45% for alfalfa second cuts). These differences allow timothy raking at slightly higher ground pressure and forward speed than alfalfa without proportional increases in dry matter loss \u2014 but they create a separate engineering problem: windrow density control for baler pickup compatibility.\n <\/p>\n

Timothy Grass Physical Properties and Why They Change Raking Parameters<\/h2>\n

\n Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) is a cool-season grass with a distinctive growth habit: a dense basal rosette of leaves feeding a single hollow culm that carries the characteristic cylindrical seed head. At first cut, the culm can reach 90-120 cm in height with a stem diameter of 3-5 mm at the base. This culm structure is mechanically stiffer than alfalfa stems at equivalent moisture content, which produces a crop mat with higher resistance to tine penetration and higher windrow structural cohesion once raked.\n <\/p>\n

\n The stem-to-leaf ratio in timothy varies significantly by cut. First cut, harvested at early head emergence, carries the highest stem fraction \u2014 as much as 70-75% stem by dry weight. Second and third cuts, harvested from vegetative regrowth, carry a higher leaf fraction (50-60% leaf by dry weight) and a softer stem structure. This means the timothy hay rake settings that work correctly for first cut will over-rake second cut material: the lighter regrowth requires reduced ground pressure and slower forward speed compared to the dense first-cut crop mat.\n <\/p>\n

\n Stem lignification also progresses rapidly through the first-cut season. Timothy cut at jointing stage (before head emergence) has stem cell walls with relatively low lignin content and bends without snapping under mechanical handling. Timothy cut at full head emergence has significantly higher stem lignin content \u2014 the stems fracture rather than bend under tine contact, generating fine stem fragments that fall out of the windrow and contribute to dry matter loss that is categorically different from the leaf detachment loss that dominates alfalfa raking management. For timothy raking, stem fragmentation loss is the primary dry matter concern at first cut; leaf loss dominates at second and third cut.\n <\/p>\n

Timothy vs Alfalfa: Physical and Raking Parameter Comparison<\/h2>\n

\n The table below compares key physical and raking parameters between timothy grass and alfalfa across their primary commercial cutting cycles. Values reflect typical commercial production conditions in temperate North American and Northern European growing regions.\n <\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Parameter<\/th>\nTimothy \u2014 1st Cut<\/th>\nTimothy \u2014 2nd\/3rd Cut<\/th>\nAlfalfa \u2014 2nd Cut (reference)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Stem-to-leaf ratio (DM basis)<\/td>\n70-75% stem<\/td>\n45-55% stem<\/td>\n40-55% stem<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Optimal rake moisture window<\/td>\n40-55%<\/td>\n35-50%<\/td>\n35-45%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Primary DM loss mechanism<\/td>\nStem fragmentation (lignified culm)<\/td>\nLeaf detachment (higher leaf fraction)<\/td>\nLeaf detachment (petiole separation)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended ground pressure<\/td>\n28-38 kg\/wheel<\/td>\n20-30 kg\/wheel<\/td>\n18-25 kg\/wheel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max forward speed (quality target)<\/td>\n10-13 km\/h<\/td>\n9-12 km\/h<\/td>\n8-10 km\/h<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windrow target width<\/td>\n1.4-1.8 m (dense stem mat)<\/td>\n1.3-1.6 m<\/td>\n1.3-1.6 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tine arc geometry<\/td>\n24-28 degrees (more aggressive penetration)<\/td>\n20-24 degrees<\/td>\n20-22 degrees (leaf-protective)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical DM loss at optimal settings<\/td>\n2.0-3.5%<\/td>\n2.5-4.0%<\/td>\n2.0-3.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crop mat density (green weight)<\/td>\nHigh \u2014 8-14 t\/ha fresh weight<\/td>\nMedium \u2014 4-8 t\/ha<\/td>\nMedium \u2014 5-9 t\/ha<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drawbar pull requirement (9-wheel rake)<\/td>\n4.2-5.8 kN (dense mat)<\/td>\n2.8-4.0 kN<\/td>\n2.5-3.8 kN<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Cut-Stage Moisture and Rake Setting Matrix for Timothy<\/h2>\n

\n Timothy dries more slowly than alfalfa at equivalent ambient conditions because the hollow culm structure traps moisture internally and the wax coating on the culm surface slows surface evaporation. At 25 degrees Celsius ambient temperature with 45% relative humidity, timothy first-cut windrows typically require 18-24 hours of field drying after cutting before reaching the 45-55% optimal rake moisture range, compared to 12-18 hours for alfalfa under the same conditions. The wider moisture window for timothy raking \u2014 particularly the tolerance for raking at higher moisture compared to alfalfa \u2014 is one practical advantage that reduces timing pressure on the operation.\n <\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cut and Moisture Stage<\/th>\nGround Pressure \/ Wheel<\/th>\nWheel Angle<\/th>\nMax Speed<\/th>\nTarget Windrow Width<\/th>\nPrimary Risk at This Stage<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1st cut, 55-65% moisture<\/td>\n32-40 kg<\/td>\n22-26 degrees<\/td>\n12-14 km\/h<\/td>\n1.6-1.8 m (wide \u2014 slow drying)<\/td>\nLow \u2014 stems cohesive, windrow holds shape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st cut, 40-55% moisture (optimal)<\/td>\n28-35 kg<\/td>\n22-26 degrees<\/td>\n10-13 km\/h<\/td>\n1.4-1.8 m<\/td>\nMinimal \u2014 optimal window, good stem integrity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st cut, 25-40% moisture (late)<\/td>\n22-28 kg<\/td>\n18-22 degrees<\/td>\n8-10 km\/h<\/td>\n1.4-1.6 m<\/td>\nStem fragmentation \u2014 reduce speed, not pressure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd cut, 45-55% moisture (optimal)<\/td>\n22-28 kg<\/td>\n18-22 degrees<\/td>\n9-12 km\/h<\/td>\n1.3-1.6 m<\/td>\nLow \u2014 treat similar to alfalfa 2nd cut<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd cut, 30-45% moisture (late)<\/td>\n16-22 kg<\/td>\n16-20 degrees<\/td>\n8-10 km\/h<\/td>\n1.3-1.5 m<\/td>\nLeaf detachment \u2014 switch to alfalfa protocol<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3rd cut, below 30% moisture<\/td>\n14-18 kg (minimum)<\/td>\n14-18 degrees<\/td>\n7-9 km\/h<\/td>\n1.2-1.4 m (narrow \u2014 conserve leaves)<\/td>\nHigh leaf loss \u2014 treat as fragile legume crop<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Windrow Density and Baler Pickup Compatibility for Timothy<\/h2>\n

Why Timothy First-Cut Windrows Cause Baler Feed Problems<\/h3>\n

\n Timothy first-cut windrows have a structural problem that mixed-grass and legume windrows do not exhibit to the same degree: the long, stiff culms interlock within the windrow, creating a mat that resists the baler pickup cam fingers rather than flowing into them. A round baler pickup with 1.8 m working width attempting to process a 1.8 m timothy first-cut windrow at full width encounters the mat as a near-solid mass rather than a flowing crop stream. The result is a feed surge that loads the baler pickup rollers with impulse forces rather than continuous feed pressure, producing irregular bale density and accelerated pickup cam wear.\n <\/p>\n

\n The timothy hay rake setting that prevents this is counterintuitive: wider windrow at higher ground pressure during raking, followed by deliberate windrow conditioning \u2014 either by running the hay rake over the windrow a second time at a tight angle to break the culm mat structure, or by using a tedder pass between raking and baling to redistribute and partially break the mat. The target is a windrow that feeds into the pickup at 80-90% of rated pickup width, not 100%, which allows the pickup cam to engage the full windrow without edge overflow at either side.\n <\/p>\n

Baler Cam Pickup Speed and Timothy Mat Density Interaction<\/h3>\n

\n Baler pickup cam peripheral speed is fixed by the PTO-driven pickup drive system, typically producing a cam tip speed of 2.8-3.5 m\/s at 540 RPM PTO. For loose, flowing hay at moderate density, this speed is adequate to engage and lift the windrow cleanly. For a dense timothy first-cut mat with interlocked 90 cm culms, the same cam tip speed may be insufficient to penetrate the mat surface and lift it rather than pushing it forward \u2014 a condition called mat surfing that results in the pickup riding on top of the windrow rather than processing it.\n <\/p>\n

\n The engineering solution at the hay rake stage is to direct the timothy grass into a windrow with a more open, layered structure rather than a compressed mat. This requires running the finger wheel hay rake at a wheel angle at the lower end of the effective range (18-22 degrees rather than 24-28 degrees) at first cut, which deposits the crop in a looser formation than a high-angle setting. The trade-off is wider windrow width \u2014 which must then be verified against baler pickup width to confirm compatibility. For a round baler with a 1.8 m pickup, the windrow should not exceed 1.6 m at the base to ensure the edges of the windrow mat are lifted, not pushed aside.\n <\/p>\n

Timothy Raking in Mixed Stands: Managing the Grass-Legume Interface<\/h2>\n

\n Many commercial timothy operations grow timothy in a mixed stand with red clover or alsike clover as a companion legume, particularly in Northeastern North America and Northern Europe. The mixed stand produces a crop with two fundamentally different moisture management profiles at raking time: the timothy stems retain moisture longer than the clover leaves, which means the crop reaches optimal raking moisture at different times for each species within the same windrow.\n <\/p>\n

\n The practical protocol for mixed timothy-clover stands is to rake at the moisture level dictated by the clover component, not the timothy. Clover leaves are more fragile than timothy leaves at equivalent moisture content, and delaying until the timothy is at its lower moisture optimum will have already driven the clover leaves below their optimal raking moisture threshold. This means raking mixed stands at the upper end of the clover optimal window (42-50% moisture), accepting that the timothy component is slightly wetter than its individual optimum. The resulting windrow will dry more uniformly than a windrow raked at timothy optimum, because the moisture differential between the two species components is smaller.\n <\/p>\n

\n Ground pressure in mixed timothy-clover stands should be set to the clover minimum (18-24 kg per wheel) rather than the timothy optimum, because the clover leaf is the yield-quality limiting component. Tine arc geometry should also be set for legume leaf protection (20-22 degrees) rather than timothy penetration efficiency (24-28 degrees). The yield penalty from the more conservative setting on the timothy fraction is measurably smaller than the quality penalty from over-raking the clover fraction.\n <\/p>\n

Machine Selection for Timothy Grass Raking<\/h2>\n

Finger Wheel Rake vs Side Delivery for Dense Timothy Stands<\/h3>\n

\n For first-cut timothy in dense, high-yielding stands, the finger wheel hay rake has a structural advantage over the side delivery rake that is specific to the crop mat characteristics. The ground-driven finger wheel rake engages the crop from the top of the mat surface and lifts it progressively as each wheel rotates through its arc. In a dense timothy stand with interlocked culms, this progressive lift action separates the mat along natural culm alignment planes rather than cutting across them \u2014 producing a windrow with better structural openness than a side delivery rotor that sweeps the mat laterally with a fixed rotor speed regardless of mat density.\n <\/p>\n

\n The side delivery rake does have a specific advantage for timothy operations that involve merging two adjacent swaths into a single high-density windrow for large square baler operations. Because the side delivery configuration places the windrow to the side of the machine path, the operator can drive along the edge of one windrow and sweep it into contact with the adjacent windrow in a single pass, without the additional pass required when using a center-delivery finger wheel rake for the same merging function.\n <\/p>\n

\n For operations covering large timothy production areas \u2014 above 600 ha\/season \u2014 the machine architecture choice between finger wheel and side delivery should be evaluated against the specific baler fleet pickup width, target bale density, and field geometry. Buyers evaluating the full range of finger wheel and side delivery hay rake configurations for timothy production can compare working widths, ground pressure ranges, and wheel count options across the full hay rake product range<\/a> to identify the configuration that matches their seasonal area target and tractor HP class.\n <\/p>\n

Ground Pressure Adjustment Technique for Heavy Timothy Mat<\/h3>\n

\n Timothy first-cut ground pressure requirements \u2014 28-38 kg per wheel \u2014 are at the high end of the commercial finger wheel rake operating range. At this pressure level, the spring preload collar on each wheel arm must be set consistently across all wheel positions to prevent differential ground contact, which produces alternating over-raked and under-raked strips across the field width. The technique for setting high ground pressure consistently across a 9-wheel array is to set each wheel independently using a calibrated spring compression gauge rather than relying on the collar position markings, which can vary between wheel positions due to spring tolerance variation across the set.\n <\/p>\n

\n Tine specification for heavy timothy mat operations should be 8 mm gauge minimum. At 28-38 kg ground pressure in a dense standing crop mat with residual post-harvest stubble present, 7 mm tines are at the upper boundary of their fatigue life design range. The 8 mm upgrade increases tine cross-sectional area by 30% and fatigue life by approximately 60-80% under equivalent loading, which reduces replacement frequency and the mid-season downtime that tine replacement events cause in commercial operations.\n <\/p>\n

Drying Rate Management: Accelerating Timothy Field Cure<\/h2>\n

\n Timothy grass field-cures more slowly than alfalfa or clover because the hollow culm retains moisture internally for longer than a solid legume stem. At equivalent ambient temperature and relative humidity, the culm interior moisture equilibrates with the surface at a rate governed by the vapor pressure gradient through the culm wall \u2014 a process that is approximately 40-60% slower than the surface-to-air evaporation rate measured on cut alfalfa in the same conditions.\n <\/p>\n

\n The hay rake has a practical role in accelerating this internal culm moisture release through mechanical action: the tine contact event at raking partially fractures the waxy culm surface and creates micro-cracks through which internal moisture can escape more rapidly. High ground pressure (35-40 kg per wheel) at first cut produces more culm surface disruption than low pressure, which explains why field experience shows that aggressively raked timothy windrows dry faster in the post-raking period than gently raked ones \u2014 not a general rule for all forage crops, but specific to the hollow culm structure of timothy.\n <\/p>\n

\n This culm disruption benefit is most pronounced when raking occurs in the 48-55% moisture range, before the culm has dried enough to become brittle. At below 35% moisture, the micro-cracking action at high pressure produces fragments rather than controlled surface disruption, reversing the benefit and producing stem fragmentation loss. The drying acceleration benefit from mechanical culm disruption is therefore available only within a defined moisture window \u2014 another reason why moisture testing before raking is a productive use of time rather than an optional protocol.\n <\/p>\n

Common Faults in Timothy Raking and Field Correction Protocols<\/h2>\n