|
Balers like the 24T and New Holland 273 seem to bring anywhere from $1,500 to 2,300ish - sometimes more and other times less. Part of the purpose in our little hay making operation is to fund some college expenses. With the exception of a new tractor (which was going to be purchased regardless) we've easily made enough hay to pay for our equipment and repairs/refurb to it. If you are good with a wrench (and you'll need to be when buying old equipment), you can save a ton of $$$'s making hay with the ancient stuff. This means lower overhead and if you get some hay rained on or there are many weeds, you can lower the bale price and still make money. I suppose if I wanted, I could be done with it and go out and buy new or like new equipment - and I may just do that at some point (the tractors and equipment are my equivelant to other's bass boat, Harley collection or motor home) as I get to older and less willing or able to fix the constant broken. But for me, saving $$$'s with this ancient equipment and being able to operate in the black, is like a sports contest. If I can persuade this equipment to bale up the same looking, the same quality, the same dimensional, the same quantity hay for a fraction of the price of new equipment - I feel like I've won! Mostly though, I just enjoy it. I like having my boys, wife and daughter together working and learning towards a common goal. When our hay is done, stacked in the barn, everyone has a great sense of accomplishment - and by the way, here is a little pocket money and some money for college tuition or books - same goal you have. IMHO a 24T is a great baler. I would recommend the New Holland 273 too. I have a New Holland 68 that we refurb'd and was very pleased with the bale shape, density - everything about the bales coming out of it on our second cut this summer. Good luck!
Bill
|
