Hay Making Equipment: What Size Tractor?

[MountainMomma]

Hi,

We have been reviving a small (40 acre) farm in mountainous WV for the past 7 years. We bought a 1956 Ford tractor that we have nursed along until now, but it is slowly dying.

We have decided it would be a good thing overall to upgrade our tractor with an eye towards haying 20 of our acres in the future to feed our two horses and sell the surplus. We are thinking square bales, because there is a market here for them among horse people, and they are easier for us to handle.

Question: does anyone have a link to an overview article that would tell me about the process and needed equipment for a SMALL hay making set up? Also, does anyone make hay would would be willing to advise us? We are thinking we want to buy used equipment, but we are not handy. Small is beautiful here: we aren稚 bells-and-whistles types! We just want to make up about 20 acres a year in order to keep our land in pasture.

Any help will be VASTLY appreciated. I don’t know even the categories to compare tractors: does one use hp or other criteria to match with haying cutters and bailers? Help, please! TIA

 

[atsah]

My dad hayed about 30 acres a year with a 45hp tractor, sickle bar mower, grim ground driven teddar, an old Deere rake and a Deere 14T baler for many years. if you have the money I would suggest a New Holland baler, either way, you’re going to need some wrenching skills, a baler is all about timing, the knives and knotters have to be in time or there will be problems.

My brother bales 20,000 squares a year, he knows his equipment like the back of his hand. It takes years to learn.

 

[zzvyb6]

I cut, rake and square ale about 15 acres and sell the hay to local horse owners. A few buyers have been with me for over 20 years. I use a JD 1070 geared tractor (35 hp) which has a detachable loader. This gives me hydraulic options on my hay mower (a late '60 NH 479 9' mower, and my NH 1012 stack wagon used for picking up the bales dropped off by the baler (which is an old JD-14T unit that still makes wonderful bales) I use a NH 55 rake and occasionally a Kuhn Tedder/rake combo unit.

I have hills in the back that are pretty steep but no stability problems. All the hay equipment pad for itslef in 2 years. (Farm 1099 as a business). I would only recommend getting cheap old equippment if you are mechanically inclined. But, most spare parts (belts, rake teeth, mower blades, tires, hydraulic stuff comes from TSC or Rural King.

Its a lot of fun, but hard work if the weather is hot and humid. Your horses will benefir from a consistent hay supply with potential use as feed for boarders if you have the inclination.

Here's a few previous season videos I've posted on Youtube:
Hay Baling 214 - YouTube

2813 2411 - YouTube

I'd be happy to give free advice, as long as you are not asking using facebook.

 

[RustyA]

We also used a JD 1070 compact tractor with loader and had a set of hoses made up to run remotes off the loader controls. New Holland 489 haybine worked it hard but it worked for 20 years, New Holland square baler bought used and had implement dealer go through it each season. Originally had new Holland 256 rake but towards the end bought a Tonutti 8 wheel rake. Benefit of the 256 has front dolly wheel so it could be pulled by ATV in a pinch...8 wheel rake needs hydraulics but cuts raking in half and can be adjusted to make perfect width windrows for the baler. 35 hp is marginal to run equipment, would suggest 40+ hp with at least one rear remote for hydraulics.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

They make haying equipment for SCUTS and CUTS too. I read an article about it recently. Have personally never done it, but here is a link to one company that sells haying equipment for tractors less than 30 HP: Tractor Tools Direct | TX Hobby Hay Package

 

[MountainMomma]

My dad hayed about 30 acres a year with a 45hp tractor, sickle bar mower, grim ground driven teddar, an old Deere rake and a Deere 14T baler for many years. if you have the money I would suggest a New Holland baler, either way, youæ±*e going to need some wrenching skills, a baler is all about timing, the knives and knotters have to be in time or there will be problems.

My brother bales 20,000 squares a year, he knows his equipment like the back of his hand. It takes years to learn.

Okay... so, there are several Deeres for sale on CL in my area. Is 45 hp better than 35 hp, or will it require bigger attachments all along the line?

Also, what is a reasonable ballpark number on hours (the odometer of tractors, as I see it) on a used tractor? (I know there must be nuances, like what kind of hours; how well maintained, etc. but give me a ballpark, please?)

 

[MountainMomma]

How would a JD 1020 work on hills? With haying equipment. Seem to be a lot of those in my area...?

 

[atsah]

More HP is always better when your talking haying equipment. 40-50HP is plenty for small a haying operation. A loader will be very important as well. If the tractor is diesel I would say 3000-4000 hours would be okay if it's good shape. You could certainly use a gas tractor as well but the hours should be maybe a 1000 lower than a diesel, They will both get the job done.

My brother uses a Ford 7710 with 8000 hours on it and it works great. If you decide some day to use a baler with a kicker and kick bales into a wagon so you don't have to pick them up off the field you will need a heavy tractor to do. But if your planning on picking them off the field I would at least suggest a hay drag, when the bale comes off the baler they will fall into the drag, when there are 8 or so bales in the drag the rear door releases and drops the 8 or so in one spot..

 

[MountainMomma]

I cut, rake and square ale about 15 acres and sell the hay to local horse owners. A few buyers have been with me for over 20 years. I use a JD 1070 geared tractor (35 hp) which has a detachable loader. This gives me hydraulic options on my hay mower (a late '60 NH 479 9' mower, and my NH 1012 stack wagon used for picking up the bales dropped off by the baler (which is an old JD-14T unit that still makes wonderful bales) I use a NH 55 rake and occasionally a Kuhn Tedder/rake combo unit.

I have hills in the back that are pretty steep but no stability problems. All the hay equipment pad for itslef in 2 years. (Farm 1099 as a business). I would only recommend getting cheap old equippment if you are mechanically inclined. But, most spare parts (belts, rake teeth, mower blades, tires, hydraulic stuff comes from TSC or Rural King.

Its a lot of fun, but hard work if the weather is hot and humid. Your horses will benefir from a consistent hay supply with potential use as feed for boarders if you have the inclination.

Here's a few previous season videos I've posted on Youtube:
Hay Baling 214 - YouTube

214813 2411 - YouTube

I'd be happy to give free advice, as long as you are not asking using facebook.

Thank you so much! I will keep you in mind. If we buy newer (not new) equipment, how hard is it all to maintain? We are not mechanically gifted!

 

[searcyfarms]

hello!!! while I cannot remember the exact baler model numbers or tractor model numbers, EVERY square baler and round baler people I worked for bucking hay growing up had little fords - I don't think any of them had more than 35hp - lower center of gravity but I would NOT recommend them on hilly ground. They had terrible brakes and would push the tractors when going down hill because they were too light for the baler or a wagon load of hay.

I put up between 20 and 30K bales each summer for mostly sheep/cattle/horse people back in the 70s/80s - had a few small allis round balers and they were awful........no worries those are long gone. most all were deere and new Holland, I think a model 22 or 24 deere was one of them cant remember the numbers on the new hollands

If you are using older equipment and can find something in the 40 to 50 hp id say it would be better for a tractor if hilly due to the size/weight - if you are going to look for newer stuff maybe in all wheel drive on the hills would be the best, and you could go lower hp/weight - just remember you can cut/rake/bale on a side hill to help deal with the slopes but when hauling if you stack very high you will have to go up/down those hills - im sure you have the hang of that already at this point -

do you all have a budget you want to stay in that would help a little trying to figure out a tractor/baler - I think the 30 series deere would be adequate as well as the farmall 400/450/560/656 all could be had for fair $$ as well as reliable and size/power appropriate - had good luck with allis D17s - 4000/5000 series fords would be good - my uncle had a 4600/5600 and they were dandy runners - lots to choose from in your hp/size range, I would try to find something 4500lbs and above if you have hills just my thoughts I am sure some of you will have much better info -

 

[Streetcar]

Weight of tractor is important for hay equipment and on hills. Older 45 or 50 hp tractor would be good. Smaller tractor would beat itself to death on hay and hills

 

[MountainMomma]

Does this sound like a good deal, for instance? (Is there a Kelly Blue Book site for tractors?)

2010 NEW HOLLAND T1520 4X4 TRACTOR, 35 HP DIESEL ENGINE, 9/3 TRANSMISSION WITH FRONT END LOADER AND 68" BUCKET. 1,066 HOURS ON TRACTOR, R4 TIRES.. $12,500 FIRM

 

[newbury]

Okay... so, there are several Deeres for sale on CL in my area. Is 45 hp better than 35 hp, or will it require bigger attachments all along the line?

Also, what is a reasonable ballpark number on hours (the odometer of tractors, as I see it) on a used tractor? (I know there must be nuances, like what kind of hours; how well maintained, etc. but give me a ballpark, please?)

DO NOT trust the odometer on tractors. Odometer cables break and don't get fixed. Then fix the cable before you sell it. Also not all tractors count hours the same way. My 50HP Kubota goes by PTO speed. If I run it for one hour at PTO speed (2,000 rpm?) it records one hour. If I just poke along on the flat or leave it idling at 1,000 rpm it only records a half hour. Many tractors record whenever the engine is running. I've read of some tractors that record as long as the key is switched on, even if the engine is not running.

Go by appearance and if you are dealing with Craigs List and the like also judge the appearance of the seller. Better yet find a tractor mechanic to give it a once over.

Thank you so much! I will keep you in mind. If we buy newer (not new) equipment, how hard is it all to maintain? We are not mechanically gifted!

No actual experience with hay equipment in the last 40 years but reading on TBN it seems lot's of little things can go wrong, which has dissuaded me from even thinking of haying my land.

A good source for comparative asking prices is TractorHouse.com A good place for selling prices is ebay finished listings, but it's sometimes hard to find a comparative model.

 

[LouNY]

That is only a 2500# tractor with a live pto, it might pull a baler but thats about it.
If you have any kind of hills I'd want at least a 5000# tractor with independent pto,
when baling and you shove in the clutch because of a wad of hay you don't want the pto stopping.
Going down hill with a baler you want enough tractor to be able to stop and even if you don't go with a kicker baler it's nice to be able to tow the wagon with the baler and have someone stacking while baling will save a lot of time and labor.

 

[atsah]

Does this sound like a good deal, for instance? (Is there a Kelly Blue Book site for tractors?)

2010 NEW HOLLAND T1520 4X4 TRACTOR, 35 HP DIESEL ENGINE, 9/3 TRANSMISSION WITH FRONT END LOADER AND 68" BUCKET. 1,066 HOURS ON TRACTOR, R4 TIRES.. $12,500 FIRM

Nope, not enough weight to that tractor. Can you give us an idea of what you want to spend on just the tractor?

 

[searcyfarms]

also what model of ford do you have and what do you NOT like about it that you would want in a replacement tractor, that might help us also chime in with models that would fit your needs

 

[atsah]

If I was contemplating a small haying operation such as you are, I would be looking for older 50-60hp heavy two wheel drive tractor, John Deere and many others made perfect tractors for what you will be doing with it. Today’s 45hp tractors aren’t heavy enough to pull a baler and a hay wagon up and down hills, you’re looking for a simple rugged tractor and a nice one can be had in the 10-12 thousand range.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My personal preference is for a 4000 or 5000 series Ford. We used D17 Allis Chalmers and they are good tractors but love gas. Used New Holland balers, rake, and haybine along with a stacker. Later upgraded to a round baler with a 185 Allis. Made hay for 95 head on 3 farms.