Buyer's Guide to Hay Equipment | Small Farm Sustainability

This article was written by Pat Goodwin of Tractor Tools Direct. This article does not imply an endorsement by the Acreage Living newsletter of Tractor Tools Direct. However, this information is useful for small farm owners looking to invest in their own haying equipment.

Check now

Introduction

If you operate a small farm, own a compact tractor, and want to produce your own hay, you're in the right place. Perhaps you're tired of high prices for hay, dissatisfied with its quality, or frustrated by a hay contractor who neglects your fields.

Ultimately, you want to ensure your animals are fed with top-quality hay, produced right from your own land. You're aware of your capabilities, but some may doubt whether your small tractor can do the job. The secret to success lies in choosing the right equipment suited for your tractor and property. This guide will navigate you step-by-step through selecting the best hay equipment for your needs. Let's dive in!

Selecting the Right Hay Equipment

Know Your Tractor

Before purchasing equipment, it’s vital to know your tractor's specifications. Its horsepower and weight are crucial, along with details like width, which may vary depending on the equipment you choose. Consult your tractor's manual for these specifications.

If you can’t find the manual, you can easily look up specifications for almost any tractor at tractordata.com.

Choosing the Right Hay Mower

Hay mowers come in various styles, from compact sickle bar mowers to large trailed mower-conditioners. For efficiency, we will focus on hay mowers designed to be attached to your tractor's 3-point hitch, as they typically meet the needs of most compact or subcompact tractor owners.

Selecting the Type

There are three main styles of hay mowers: sickle bar, disc, and drum. Each type has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Ensure that you select a mower that fits your tractor's size and your specific use case.

Sickle Bar Mowers

The sickle bar mower is the oldest mechanical mower, originally designed for horses. Its operation remains similar to its historical form, employing a reciprocating action with triangular blades that shear off grass or vegetation. Modern sickle bar mowers often feature double-action designs, enhancing efficiency and reducing vibration, making them more comfortable and durable. The DCM Italia 150, a 5-foot mower, exemplifies this design.

Advantages of sickle bar mowers include:

• Low horsepower requirement: Ideal for tractors with 15 horsepower or less.
• Lightweight: Suitable for lighter tractors, ensuring safety and ease of use.
• Angled mowing ability: Effective for mowing inclined surfaces and trimming hedges.
• Less dust: Generates minimal motion, resulting in less debris being kicked up.

However, there are drawbacks, such as:

• Slower forward speed compared to other mowers.
• Prone to clogging in dense or cut material.
• Time-consuming blade maintenance.
• Repair costs can escalate if the mower damages unknown obstructions.

Disc Mowers

Disc mowers represent a modern evolution from the sickle bar design. Blades on disc mowers rotate at high speeds, mounted on small discs atop a cutter bar. This allows for high-rate cutting with minimal clogging and enables efficient operation even in thick vegetation.

Advantages include:

• No clogging from dense hay.
• High cutting speeds if your tractor has adequate horsepower.
• Quick hydraulic lift for transitioning between working and transport modes.

Nevertheless, disadvantages include:

• Hydraulic requirements for operation.
• Weight might be a safety hazard on lightweight tractors.
• High repair costs if damaged by hard objects.

Drum Mowers

Recently gaining popularity in the U.S., drum mowers have a different design, powered by a gearbox above rather than the cutter bar. They feature two counter-rotating drums that create momentum, allowing effective cutting through thick crop.

Advantages of drum mowers are:

• No need for hydraulics, enhancing usability on various tractors.
• Durability against obstructions.
• Ability to run at higher speeds compared to disc mowers.
• Low power consumption, making them suitable for older tractors.

However, be aware of their drawbacks:

• Not suitable for contour mowing due to heavy design.
• Weight can be challenging for lighter tractors.
• May require additional equipment for proper drying of cut crop.

Choosing the Right Hay Tedder

A tedder is essential for spreading and aerating hay in the field, expediting the drying process. Heavy, humid hay benefits immensely from tedding, especially after rains, lending to faster drying times.

Available in various sizes, tedders work effectively with most tractors equipped with PTO. Consider 3-point connection for better transport and obstacle navigation, despite potential lifting difficulties.

While some rakes can function as tedders, dedicated tedders perform the task with greater efficiency. A belt rake offers a seamless switch between raking and tedding, making it versatile.

Choosing the Right Hay Rake

Raking is vital before baling hay, as it forms windrows for an efficient pickup. Unfortunately, baling directly from the mower's swath usually leads to poor drying and pickup issues. When raking, it's commonly beneficial to combine multiple swaths into a single windrow for better bale density and efficiency.

Popular rake types include wheel rakes, parallel bar rakes, rotary rakes, and belt rakes. Each has unique advantages and disadvantages based on regional preferences and specific operation needs.

Wheel Rakes

Designed for speed, wheel rakes are straightforward machines but may introduce dirt into the hay due to ground contact. They may also create less aerated windrows. Despite their size, they remain inexpensive and popular for small-scale farmers.

Parallel Bar Rakes

This traditional style is gradually being replaced by advanced models. Although they are straightforward, features of rotary and belt rakes offer better results in varying conditions. If considering new purchases, opt for modern designs for better functionality.

Rotary Rakes

With powered functionality, rotary rakes yield uniformly fluffy windrows, which helps hasten drying. Their design minimizes leaf loss, essential for maintaining quality forage and offers versatility across wet and dry conditions.

Belt Rakes

Belt rakes combine the benefits of rotary rakes with greater compactness, making them easier to maneuver and store. Their versatility allows for quick adjustments for various tasks, making them invaluable for smaller farms.

Choosing the Right Baler

Selecting the right baler is crucial for efficiency and productivity. For small farms, compact round balers and square balers are ideal due to their suitability for compact and subcompact tractors.

Mini Round Baler

Mini round balers, also known as roto-balers, are gaining popularity, especially among small farmers. These balers produce manageable bales weighing around 40-55 pounds, easy for one person to handle.

Mini round balers can connect via 3-point hitch or drawbar, with the latter providing better visibility and maneuverability.

Gathering wheels enhance pickup width, allowing wider windrows and fewer passes during raking and baling. Additionally, net wrap options improve efficiency and protection against elements.

Advantages include:

• Low horsepower requirement.
• Lighter weight for safety on slopes.
• Simpler mechanics with fewer adjustments.
• Smoother operation compared to square balers.
• Compact size for better storage.
• Better moisture resistance, especially with net wrapping.

However, drawbacks involve:

• Lower production rates compared to square balers.
• Acceptability issues with market preference for square bales.
• Stacking challenges compared to square bales.

Square Balers

Square balers have evolved minimally since their inception but remain fast, producing one bale every 10 seconds. Square bales tend to absorb moisture, so prompt storage is essential following baling.

While most standard square balers require 35 horsepower, Abbriata offers options compatible with lighter tractors.

Advantages of square balers are:

• High baling capacity.
• Easy handling and stacking of bales.
• Market preference for familiar shapes.

Disadvantages include:

• Substantial weight may pose hazards.
• Susceptible to moisture damage.
• Complex mechanics requiring careful maintenance and setup.

Prior to making any purchasing decisions, consider these questions:

1. Is the equipment in stock and available for purchase?
2. What are the shipping options and costs?
3. Are replacement parts readily available?
4. Is the retailer experienced with this type of equipment?
5. Is there a manual or parts book included?

The complete Buyer's Guide to Hay Equipment is available on the Tractor Tools Direct website at here.