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Hay equipment questions

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Jerry in Pa

04-08-2002 07:32:24

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Hi all,

I just bought a small farm and raise a small flock of sheep at the moment. I have about 5 to 7 acres of hay field that I would like to hay, at least to provide hay for myself to feed in the winter months here in western Pa. I have a 27 hp Cub Cadet tractor that came with the place and have been told it would be able to pull a small square baler. Can anyone give me some ideas on what to buy for this type of small haying operation and where is the best places to look. I am definitely on a budget here so I don't want to break the bank here. I saw a IH 46 baler listed in excellent condition in the paper for $700. Is this reasonable? Any comments will be GREATLY appriciated.

Thanx,
Jerry

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Leroy

04-14-2002 07:41:01

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

Who ever told you that any model Cub Cadet, not even the biggest ever made would handle a baler was nuts, crazy. Only a couple of even the biggest models had a power take off and those models were equiped with cat. one three point hitch.

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Leroy

04-14-2002 07:39:27

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

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Firetruck

04-10-2002 06:53:36

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

Jerry, Last year someone had a very long but good post on makling hay. It centered around an N series Ford but it will give you good info if you can find it in the archives.

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JMS/MN

04-08-2002 22:58:15

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

I have yet to see any IH baler that had decent knotters and was reliable when it came to tying a bale. With your few acres (1000 Bales per year?) I would suggest that you rent it out on shares to start with- 1/3 or 1/2 for you, help the guy out and see if you want to go thru the hassle. It really is not worth the bother.

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Bill B

04-08-2002 20:18:00

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

Hi, I live in MD and have bought a lot of used hay equipment in southern Pa. Used equipment brings good money because there is a lot of part time farmer like me in the area. I started 3 years ago doing 50 acres. In this climate you need a Mower Conditioner, rake, Tedder and bailer plus the more tractors you have it cuts down time hooking and unhooking. The biggest problem is getting the hay to dry out before it rains again. Bill

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Bill B

04-08-2002 20:16:46

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

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Andy in Ga.

04-08-2002 19:35:41

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

Tractor a little too small. Good choice in the baler. excellent baler

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Andy in Ga.

04-08-2002 19:35:23

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

Tractor a little too small. Good choice in the baler. excellent baler

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John in Maryland

04-08-2002 17:17:50

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

I would let someone else bale it, at least for a year or so. If you've never made your own hay, it's not really something that you can pick up and do, without some learning. As for your tractor bailing hay, if you had one of them balers w/the wisconsin engine on it, your tractor would pull it, but I think you might have a tough time with a pto driven baler. On the otherside of that though is you can find like an old farmall M for $1000 that would run the baler, but w/out independent pto. If you have to buy hay, you can usually get a good deal if you pick it up out of the field, just something to consider.

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Wayne

04-08-2002 16:34:37

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

You need a little heavier tractor and a tractor with live PTO would be helpful. Most balers are heavier then your tractor. Stick with a New Holland or John Deere baler.

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Don H

04-08-2002 15:54:51

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

You have already gotten lots of good advice, but I haven't seen anyone address your question about the IH 46 baler. $700 seems high to me for that one, although those were excellent balers. Any time you are looking at old equipment like that, condition of that piece is critical to the price. Usually any New Holland, IH, or John Deere baler of that vintage can be a good one (or bad) but my experience has been that the John Deeres have more knotter problems than the others. I'm sure others are right that you can't economically justify a baler, but with minimal investment, if it means something to you, go for it. Good luck.

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gy3020

04-08-2002 14:34:36

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

I custom bale hay here in North Texas and would like to say that the commment on cost of equipment verses how much you are going to do woudl be an issue. I would have someone do it for a year or so and during that time locate some stuff of your own if you do want to do it yourself, you could do some custom work as well to help pay for everything. I run NH rakes, NH haybine, and Deere balers. Would you rather have twine or wire tie on your square bales? Thats something else to consider.

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F14

04-08-2002 10:38:28

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

Jerry, I'm in the same boat. I have a small flock of sheep and a llama for hayburners, go through about 200 bales a year.

I did the math, and figured even with hay at $3 a bale, I wouldn't live long enough to pay back the cost of equipment, much less the fuel, maintenance and hassle, betting on the weather, fertilizing and liming the fields, etc etc. This is coming from a major equipment junky, I'd count the time spent doing it as recreation.

I get a truckload delivered, set up my conveyor and pop it in the barn all in an hour or so a year.

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Brent in Iowa

04-08-2002 10:37:31

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

I started with only about 10 acres too, and now custom bale for others so it can be economical to buy equipment. I have a JD 214T baler I bought for $1000, a JD 37 trailer style sickle mower for $400, and a one-owner NH 55 side delivery rake (I don't like tedders...)I picked up for $450. These prices are all a little high for average condition equipment but I new the history of each piece and they were in great shape so the extra $ was well worth it. Parts are available for all these machines at the dealers, and the service departments will still work on them if you can't figure it out. I don't know much about the IH balers, can't help you out there. Having your equipment is the only way to go if YOU want to have control over when it gets mowed, raked, and baled. It's fun too!

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Jerry in Pa

04-08-2002 11:00:29

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Re: Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Brent in Iowa, 04-08-2002 10:37:31

I just found a JD 24T about 100 miles away for 400 bucks listed in good condition. How does this sound?

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brent

04-08-2002 11:28:29

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Re: Re: Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 11:00:29

As long as the knotters tie that is a good deal. Make sure you check the u-joints on the drive-line as well, they can get loose/worn and you will have a lot of binding when turning (although I usualy shut the pto off when turning anyway). There are lots of other little things too but the knotters are the most expensive. If you buy it I would suggest going to the JD dealer and ordering a manual ASAP, they are full of great informatin and tips on baling and settings, etc...

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brent

04-08-2002 11:26:45

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Re: Re: Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 11:00:29

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Roy B

04-08-2002 08:49:39

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Re: hay equipment questions in reply to Jerry in Pa, 04-08-2002 07:32:24

Jerry; Its not really financially viable to buy eqipment to hay 5-7 acres, it would make more sense to have some one do it for you. That said there is nothing like doing a job yourself and not having to relie on the schedules of others. Look for a 6-7' cut belt drive 3ph sickle bar mower 400-900$. "haybob" 3ph or trailer type. Made by different manufactures these implements will tedd or fluff the hay to help in drying and rake it for baling. Not the best machine at both but a good compromise for small acreage $1000-1500. Look for a New Holland baler (268-269 are reliable units),others may be good machines but I have had the best of luck with my NH 500-1000$. If your fields are anything less than flat take great care with a baler attached to your tractor. Working on hills with an implement that weighs as much as your tractor can ruin your whole day. Take care and enjoy your new place. Roy

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