Haying Equipment needs 101

WilliamBos · Mar 8, 2005

Hi,

Not all balers are built the same. My Dad used to run an old oliver with our MF 35, and it ran it with ease. We now have a MF 3 and we will see how it runs it. If you keep your tractor maintained, I think it will give you the rated PTO HP.

Just my 2 cents.

Will

MFMan · Mar 24, 2005

Check out Massey Ferguson's line of Compact & Utility hay tools while you're at it:
http://www.masseyferguson.agcocorp.com

mows4food · Apr 15, 2005

(
I don't mind the work, and am actually looking forward to it.
I'd rather be outside, than in.

Again, thanks and I will be replying to posters individually for more information and elaboration. I am humbled.)by all means get a sickle mower and a 256 nh rake then /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

riptides · Apr 17, 2005

( by all means get a sickle mower and a 256 nh rake then ) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Maybe I'll take it up a notch or two. I am spending more time over there now, the grass is greener, literally, and it is growing.

I see myself asking the neighboors for help real soon now.

The farm house is where the attention is going, kind of need some place to live. But the barn is dry! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tough451 · Apr 17, 2005

If you are going to insist on making your own hay buy a utility tractor for the baling and mowing,the one you have would be great for a tedder and raking.
I have in the past used an 870 JD to bale with a 73 NH and a old International both square baler. While it had the hp to run the balers I do not feel that it had the size the balers would rock the tractor and that couldnt be good.
So do yourself a favor and find a larger Utility tractor for the farm work at least 40hp pto.

riptides · Apr 18, 2005

Yep.

I had a friend come over and show me the light this weekend.
He has been haying for quite some time. We went over the numerous projects, and well, the haying is going to require another tractor. I had thought on just one, but the place is just too big.

I guess I was just not being honest with myself and thought a trade up would do it.

Now I have to rethink for a purchase.

Where is that credit card?

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HayDR · Apr 18, 2005

If you want to do hay and have only one tractor it is possible. We have plenty of customers harvesting 20-50 acres of hay with just one tractor. They usually have tractors like a Ford 4630, JD2355, etc. It is done all the time with 40-60 HP utility style tractors. Using a tractor this size is big enough to handle a round or square baler, disc mower, tedder,etc. If you have a tractor in the range of a compact from 25-40 PTO HP you can handle a square baler, drum mower, some disc mowers, & tedder. Many of our customers mow and rake their own hay but have a neighbor custom bale their hay for them. Growing up in the 1960's many of the grassland farmers farmed 300 acres with one tractor like this: MF135, JD820, AC-D15, & 4000 Ford.

tough451 · Apr 18, 2005

Dad always said they worked the ground on there 300 acres with a 35 and 65 Masseys, thats not counting the hundreds of acres of custom siliage they cut with the 35.
And we maintained over 100 with the help of the Angus for about 15 years with a 1967 135 Massey that is until us sons started adding our tractors to the farm.
So all in all 1 will do but it sure is eaiser when you have 2.

tough451 · Apr 18, 2005

OH yeah now that I have my own place I cant wait to have a second tractor.

ddivinia · Aug 19, 2005

I have a JD 4720 tractor. It is considered a compact with 58hp -> 50hp PTO. I want to use it for baling. I was really set on square bales, but I might do rounds also. I will be baling around 20 acres give or take. Maybe more or less depending on how the other plans go. Labor might be a question.

On the round bales, the Vermeer Rebel 5400 seems to be a good call. Any other to look at?

Square balers - I missed a JD 336 that would have probalby been perfect, but what others should I look at? NH seems to be a good call. My JD dealer is top notch and local. The NH dealer is a long drive away.

Mower - looking at the CCM unit.

Rake -Not sure yet - a wheel rack for sure, but I have not narrowed it down yet.

This thread sure has a lot of info - thanks everybody.

D.