Building Haycocks/Cutting/Implements

The original tool for cutting hay was a scythe, which is a slow, labour-intensive means of cutting a hay meadow. Horse-drawn machines with finger bar mowers pulled by one or who horses were a great improvement. Tractors also have finger bar mower attachments availabe. The finger bar mower can sometimes jam in heavy meadows, and with tractors it is important to ensure the power to the mover is removed before clearing a jam or their is a risk of injury including loss of fingers. A drum mower, with two rotating drums rotating at speed is has typcially replaced the finger mower. These are generally more efficient and less susceptable to jaming. The cutting implement gear is generally covered by a skirt as stones can be flung out at high speed, there is still risk of this if one is followed on foot.