djsfarms
New member
Hello all, I live near Grantville GA on a 150 ac farm where my main activity is training retrievers. So my farm is primarily grass and ponds. I own several tractors: 2 ea NH 3930 models (1991 & 1996). The 1991 model also has a front end loader. Bought the '96 new with shuttle-shift and wish the '91 model had it too. Liked the '96 model well enough that when I was offered the '91 model at a very low price, I couldn't resist it. I pull a 72" cutter and "72 finish mower. Needing a sickle-cutter to mower pond edges, I looked long and hard at a number of used options before I found that the state of PA was selling road mowers at auction. I picked up a Case IH 3220 with low CG and dual rear tires with an 84" Alamo flail mower and an 84" mid-tractor sickle-cutter - for $2400! I have received 5 yrs of good service and it is still going strong.
My reason for looking around here now is that I have approx 100 ac of grass to cut. In the past I have had several guys wanting the hay so I made reasonable arrangements for them to do most of the cutting with their equipment in exchange for the hay. But their timing is not my timing and since I am continually improving the grass, liming, using broad leaf herbicide, fertilizer etc, I thought I might begin cutting the hay also. Grass is primarily bermuda and fescue. We get at least two cutting per year and in a good rain year like this one we could get 3 cuttings. In this area there are numerous horse and cattle farms so the demand for hay is good. Most folks in the hay business around here are round balers, but there is a demand for small sq bales too by locals with just a few horses or several calves.
All that to say, I'm looking for baling equipment that I can pull/operate with my '96 NH3930 (52 PTO Hp). I'm leaning toward sq bales but not sold on it. I want to get into the business with as little additional investment as I can until I get some experience and understanding of the market. But I don't need a lot of additional mechanical work either, so I want reliable equipment.
Thanks for reading. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
My reason for looking around here now is that I have approx 100 ac of grass to cut. In the past I have had several guys wanting the hay so I made reasonable arrangements for them to do most of the cutting with their equipment in exchange for the hay. But their timing is not my timing and since I am continually improving the grass, liming, using broad leaf herbicide, fertilizer etc, I thought I might begin cutting the hay also. Grass is primarily bermuda and fescue. We get at least two cutting per year and in a good rain year like this one we could get 3 cuttings. In this area there are numerous horse and cattle farms so the demand for hay is good. Most folks in the hay business around here are round balers, but there is a demand for small sq bales too by locals with just a few horses or several calves.
All that to say, I'm looking for baling equipment that I can pull/operate with my '96 NH3930 (52 PTO Hp). I'm leaning toward sq bales but not sold on it. I want to get into the business with as little additional investment as I can until I get some experience and understanding of the market. But I don't need a lot of additional mechanical work either, so I want reliable equipment.
Thanks for reading. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
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