Tractor advice for a new farmer

[astewart]

We have about 275 acres, 120 of which we plan to bail so we need a good tractor. I'm guessing we want to go with round bails and I don't know what sizes they come in.

Can you give me an idea of what type of tractor and features we would need to get the job done.

Just as an fyi I was looking at a 2008 Case JX80 with loader and Cab for about 34k but i'm not sure if that is the size of tractor we should be looking at.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks.

 

[greggh]

I am not that familiar with Case. I am assuming that the tractor is around 80HP, If that is true with that much acreage I would think that you are looking at the right size. You might be able to go a few HP down if necessary. Going up is never a problem in most cases. Make sure that the bailer and tractor will work together without a big strain on the tractor. The implement dealers will know what will fit together. Good luck and enjoy your purchases.

 

[astewart]

The specs say it's got 74hp and 62 PTO.

I'm guessing I can go with a smaller bailer if it's a little low on HP.

I'm buying it from a private party and they haven't used it for haying..

 

[RWolf]

What dealers do you have around you? How is your fields laid out (hills,flat etc.). I'm not an expert by anymeans but I'd think anything above 70 - 75 would be adequate. I'm into green so from that perspective you would probably be looking at the 61xx series. Of course you're going to pay for the green with green but if your dealer can support you well then IMO I think it's worth the extra $$$.

Good luck.

 

[astewart]

What dealers do you have around you? How is your fields laid out (hills,flat etc.). I'm not an expert by anymeans but I'd think anything above 70 - 75 would be adequate. I'm into green so from that perspective you would probably be looking at the 61xx series. Of course you're going to pay for the green with green but if your dealer can support you well then IMO I think it's worth the extra $$$.

Good luck.

flat with some hills. I did look at the deere and it is more expensive so I started looking at Kubota and Case which seem to be cheaper.

We do have Case, Deere, Kubota and New holland. Case is 40 miles which is about the closest.

I was going to buy this tractor from a private party so I'm still open to other brands.

Maybe you could tell me what type of bailer or size could I pull with that tractor if i'm on some hills?

 

[BarryinMN]

How about flipping the question around:

What is the market pricing: rounds (what size?) or squares. If you know the gross revenue value projecting costs & labor is easier. No sense in buying a 6x6 baler if the market only buys 3x5 bales.

The hay has a nutritional value harvested at peak; excess handling, rain moisture, or off peak harvest reduces value.

What is the tons/acre/# cuttings/season production of your land?

Do you intend to store all/some/none of your production?

If the hay is part or your risk reduction plan for livestock what's labor availability like?

The tractor is part of an overall process that is time & weather sensitive.

Getting some definition of your variables & constraints will help size the equipment to your project.

 

[astewart]

"What is the market pricing: rounds (what size?) or squares. If you know the gross revenue value projecting costs & labor is easier. No sense in buying a 6x6 baler if the market only buys 3x5 bales."

The area is Sisseton SD. The farmer we rented the 120 out to I believe had the big bails, I think he got over 200 bails on that and I believe they go for about 50 bucks a bail. We rented it to him for 2000 so I'm hoping we could make 8000 more doing it our selves.

"What is the tons/acre/# cuttings/season production of your land?"

I believe it's June. Not sure about the tons but about 200 acres initially.

"Do you intend to store all/some/none of your production?"

Since we will have maybe 2 or 3 cows to start I want to sell what we don't need. In the future we'll build a pole barn to store it in. My uncle ran about 65 head so that would be our goal, normally I would ask him but without going into detail he won't help us.


"If the hay is part or your risk reduction plan for livestock what's labor availability like?"

Just my brother, he'll have a full time job and this one.

 

[BarryinMN]

Sounds like your Uncle is a wise man.

Might want to figure out transport from the field & possibly to the customer sooner. Large bales can top 2000 lbs & you need to lift & tote them in less than ideal terrain.

Storage cannot wait as moldy hay is problemmatic. In addition, that bale of hay is worth more in Feb or March than July.

A large baler can make a 100 hp tractor buck & snort, add hills or wet low spots & 125 or 150 hp is not unrealistic.

Might want to help a neighbor with hay for a season or two while sharpening your business plan.

 

[Bird]

I think very few people realize how complicated cutting and baling hay is. The baler I used made bales 5' wide and you could adjust the diameter from 3' to 6' in 6" increments. The guy who owned it had a brother with a baler that made bales 5' wide and could adjust the diameter in one inch increments. Most of the hay we baled was 5' x 5' and it's amazing how much heavier a 5' x 6' bale is. A friend and neighbor in the hay business used John Deere balers that made 4' wide bales. That was so they fit onto his 18-wheeler flat bed without sticking out wider than the truck. The old Oliver I used the most was an 85 hp tractor. The other guys all used 100 hp or more. The Gehl baler manual said a 50 hp or better was required. Knowing how it rocked that big old Oliver around at times, I'd have serious doubts about a 50 hp tractor handling it.

Of course you also have to decide what kind of cutter and rake to buy, and don't forget about needing hydraulic remotes on the tractor that some balers and haybines require.

Then do you know when to cut, how long to let it dry before baling? My little bit of experience also indicated that balers are high maintenance machines. Most of it you can probably do yourself with the manual that comes with them.

 

[astewart]

Thanks for your help Barry.. My Brother has been helping the local farmer with the cutter and raking so he knows how to do that part of it. But like you said we need to figure out how to sell it so I'll look into that.

Hydrolic remotes. How many of those would I need at the most?