How much weight and HP?

[jwcinpk]

What size tractor should I be looking at to rake hay with and tedd hay with? We're looking at doing hay on a commercial basis and want more than one tractor going at a time. I was thinking of an 8 wheel hydraulically folded hay rake and a 17ft or so hydraulically folded tedder. How much HP and weight will I have to have to run this equipment? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[HayDR]

The 53 Ford Jubilee, 73 MF 135 will tedder and rake hay fine. If you want to bale hay it will be better to look for a 40-60 HP tractor. The best dealer in your area in Valley Equipment in Science Hill, KY They sell new Mahindra tractors and about 100-200 used tractors a year. Just ask for Wes

 

[Phred]

If its just raking and the tedder then get something small in my opinion.
I have a 13 ft hydraulic fold up rake and my 70 hp tractor can pull it like its not even there, just barely idiling along. The tedder is about the same. Very little horse power.

I would see what can be pickup in the large CUT to small utility class on the cheap. A smaller hp tractor will burn less diesel but may not cost that much less upfront than a utility tractor.

Fred

 

[cowboydoc]

I've got a 10 wheel dual hydraulic rake and I can easily pull it with either my JD 4600 or my AC WD-45. You don't need much hp for a rake.

 

[HayDR]

Doc,
I'm upset now that you have made known you have some orange blood. I grew up in the 60's with a AC-WD. and went green when AC faultered. I thought you were true Green.

 

[jwcinpk]

Interest rates are right so we are looking at buying our second Mahindra new. We just bought the 6000 4X4 and a new Vermeer Rebel baler. With working a full time job also I am trying to find ways to cut time off this haying venture. I would like to buy as small a CUT as I can get by with to save on money and to be able to get around in tight places. Lots of work here tilling peoples little garden spots. So am I on the right track by thinking 30 to 35 hp would do me fine? What kind of prices should I expect on v rakes up to 10 wheel and 4 basket tedders?

 

[cowboydoc]

I thought you were true Green.

Yes I seem to have gotten that reputation. I wasn't a big JD fan until I came to the midwest. Growing up we had about every color tractor there was. The first tractor I bought was a Massey Ferg. Super 90.

 

[Phred]

I think you would be ok in the 30-35 hp range.
Take a look at vermeer. They claim you can get by with 20 on some of the rakes.
http://www.vermeerag.com/equip/wrrake.html#

Tedders also are calling for about 20.

Fred

 

[jimg]

After reading some of the posts here I'm wondered if I might be able to handle a small rake and tedder w/ my tractor (TC24D). Actually, Id be helping a friend w/ his hay. He would cut and bale and Ill rake and ted using his equipment. For the most part all of the fields we'll be in are fairly flat and what hills there are are gentle. His rake is an old New Holland bar type which Id estimate to be about 8'. The tedder is a manual fold 4 rotor model (not sure who made it). So, what do you think? jimg

 

[HayDR]

Yes you can mow, rake and tedder hay with 20-25 HP but not bale a large round bale with 20-25 HP. We have drum mowers that work on compact tractors in the 20 HP and above. Rakes that work on 15 HP and above and tedders that work on 15 HP and above.