small Hay operation: what equipment can I run?

[ddivinia]

I am on the hunt for a good square baler. I am not in a hurry, one will come up.

D.

[PaulChristenson]

Originally Posted by ddivinia

I am on the hunt for a good square baler. I am not in a hurry, one will come up.

D.

Baler For Sale at Fastline.com

[ddivinia]

Lots of them on there. I just ordered a subscription to that magazine.

Thanks,
D.

[flusher]

Originally Posted by shvl73

I've been following most of the hay threads, as I am collecting the various items needed to bale a little myself. Craigslist has been a valuable source for equipment and TBN members have been extremely helpful for advice. I picked up a Kuhn tedder last weekend, package deal with a farmhand wheel rake, $400. I may turn over the rake, as I found a Ferguson side delivery rake that I think I'll prefer. I also found a Massey 124 baler for $500 + delivery, working. After some TBN member advice, I called and told them I'll take it. I'm looking at a Sitrex 7' sickle tonight. I passed on a Massey 135 tractor and am wishing I had not, it was a fair deal. The stuff is out there if you search. I suprised myself by finding so much, so soon.

Man, $500 for the MF-124 baler is awesome. I paid $2k for mine last March. Found it locally and towed it home behind the F150 (about 25 miles). Bought it right out of the field. The owner had baled with it the previous day.

[PaulChristenson]

Originally Posted by ddivinia

Lots of them on there. I just ordered a subscription to that magazine.

Thanks,
D.

Remember to read the magazine only after all of the month's bills have been paid FIRST...

[ddivinia]

Originally Posted by PaulChristenson

Remember to read the magazine only after all of the month's bills have been paid FIRST...

I hear ya.

I want a JD baler, but it sure seems like there are some deals on other brands.

D.

[shvl73]

Originally Posted by flusher

Man, $500 for the MF-124 baler is awesome. I paid $2k for mine last March. Found it locally and towed it home behind the F150 (about 25 miles). Bought it right out of the field. The owner had baled with it the previous day.

I hope so but, yours looked nicer than mine! We'll see. The salesman had taken the pto shaft off for his baler and needs to bring it back. He thought he had a manual with it also. I told them I wasn't in a hurry so, They haven't called to deliver it.
I ended up buying the sickle mower, $900 for a 7' Sitrex. Seemed expensive but, alot cheaper than new and looked in good shape. No more $ left so, have to stop for now. When the baler and rake get here, I shouldn't need anything else but knowledge & experience, which I lack completely. I'll be asking for help! Sorry to hijack the o/p's thread.

[PaulChristenson]

Originally Posted by ddivinia

I hear ya.

I want a JD baler, but it sure seems like there are some deals on other brands.

D.

If you can WAIT until FALL, people will unload their haying equipment...

[Egon]

Mark is on the right track for putting up hay with little cash outlay. This is the way it was once done using a farmhand on a larger tractor. Then Stack movers moved the stacks to the feeding areas. Your back would thank you.

If you are working on small acreage just build the stack in the feeding area.

Build a hay sweep to attach to the bucket and you are away. The stacks will not be that tall though.

Check out my avatar for another type of method!

[civesnedfield]

Originally Posted by Egon

Check out my avatar for another type of method!

I never noticed that before. I always thought it was a barn or something. I never squinted to see what it actually was.

I have an old time up by me that still uses a hay stacker. Once he has a wagon full he lose piles it in the barn. This use to be the modern way of doing hay. He doesn't do alot of hay so it seems to work for him.