Post by crystalkelly on Jan 21, 2015 11:44:59 GMT -5
I want to start analyzing my hay quality every year. Has any one made a hay tester? Would the above plan work? I do not want to pay 100 plus dollars for one if hubby can build one and borrowing is not an option because our local extension office cannot seem to find theirs...ever.
Thank you!
Crystal
Homemade Hay Coring Device Directions
A very satisfactory hay-coring device can be made from an old golf club. With a hacksaw, cut the shaft of the club at the point where the diameter is between 3/8 and 1/2 inch. Also cut off the end of the club handle, leaving as much of the grip on the club shaft as possible. You will then have a tapered tube that is open at both ends. With a flat file, sharpen the edge of the cut shaft. A rat-tail file can be used to de-burr the inside edge and complete the sharpening process.
Grasp the shaft by the handle and, with a twisting motion, drive the shaft into the bale of hay. Insert the shaft at least 13 to 15 inches. Then, pull the shaft from the bale and collect the sample into the sample bag. Hay will frequently lodge in the shaft and have to be pushed out with a clearing rod.
Use a 1/4 to 3/8 inch dowel to make a clearing rod for removing hay form the golf club shaft. Cut the length of the small rod just longer than the golf club shaft. Use a 1 inch dowel rod, or other suitable piece of wood to make a handle for the smaller dowel rod. Drill a hole in the handle to accept the small dowel rod and glue the small rod in place. To avoid personal injury, it is very important to make a suitable handle for the clearing rod.
Insert the clearing rod into the coring device from the cutting edge, pushing the hay out from the end of the handle. Frequently, hay will dislodge suddenly causing your hand to move quickly toward the sharpened edge of the shaft. To prevent cutting your hand, always grasp the clearing rod by the handle such that the handle, not your hand, will strike the cutting edge.