best cutter for small scale hay production

[andrewj]

I'd like to start small bale hay production for a local market. I know of a few people that will buy them from me for their horses, cattle.

What cutter would you recommend?

 

[Z-Michigan]

Do you already have a rake and baler? We looked into this idea and decided the cost of an operable baler made it a nonstarter.

Assuming that's not an issue, I would be looking at sicklebar mowers, available new or used, or at drum type mowers, which seem to be the current preferred choice for medium scale hay production.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'd like to start small bale hay production for a local market. I know of a few people that will buy them from me for their horses, cattle.

What cutter would you recommend?

I used a New Holland 451 w/7' bar for 30+ years. Good seller for ages.


The answer to the question comes with a few questions. What sort of budget are we talkin' about. What sort of tractor are you hitching it to? Any thoughts on the rest of your haying equipment? (round or square?, tedder? type of rake?)

 

[andrewj]

I used a New Holland 451 w/7' bar for 30+ years. Good seller for ages.


The answer to the question comes with a few questions. What sort of budget are we talkin' about. What sort of tractor are you hitching it to? Any thoughts on the rest of your haying equipment? (round or square?, tedder? type of rake?)

of course budget is limited - 50 hp tractor (PTO hp is around 50 as well) will do square bales, and will pick up a NH side delivery rake as well. Thanks for the reply...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

of course budget is limited - 50 hp tractor (PTO hp is around 50 as well) will do square bales, and will pick up a NH side delivery rake as well. Thanks for the reply...

A sickle bar cutter (such as New Holland 451) is a cheap (relative to a new discbine) alternative. If I was starting up nowdays though, I'd probably look for a good mower/conditioner. They aren't hard to find. They sell at a price not too far above a GOOD sickle bar. Disc mowers have made MoCo's sort of "semi-obsolete" in bigger operations, helping hold prices down a bit. You'll get your hay up off the ground a day or two earlier with one. There are many models of mower conditioners that are a perfect match for a 50 hp tractor.

There are LOTS of good, reputable names in hay equipment. When it boils down to USED equipment though, IMHO, stick with New Holland or Deere. MOST of their equipment was "the best in the business" at one point, and they both follow up with good parts support. Most importantly, they'll make it easier to find free "tech help" on the internet as there are more people with experience with those brands.

Depending on the budget, disc mowers are "all that". Drum mowers are a less expensive alternative to the disc mower. I don't have a lot of experience with either. Others on here do. 50hp might be a tad small for a disc mower in some cases.

 

[scott_vt]

If I was starting up nowdays though, I'd probably look for a good mower/conditioner.

Afternoon Bill,
I dont own any of my own haying equipment but I would have to agree with you on the mower/conditioner ! Relatively inexpensive to purchase used and the hay will dry much faster being crimped rather than just cutting with a sicklemower !

 

[N80]

How about some clarification (or maybe a picture or two) for those of us who don't know anything about these things. I think I know what a disk mower is; looks kind of like a sickle mower but the bar has spinning disks on it. I'm assuming a sickle mower is like a hedge trimmer with teeth that move back and forth? What is a mower/conditioner?

 

[scott_vt]

What is a mower/conditioner?

Afternoon George,
A mower/conditioner is nothing more than a sicklemower that feeds the cut grass into two rotating drums, one being steel with with grooves pronunced on the outside diameter and another rubber coated drum that the steel drum rides on crimping the grass in the process allowing a much faster dry time that a conventional sicklemower. Hope thats clearer than mud ! ?

http://www.tractorhouse.com/images/Tractor/fullsize/75048647.jpg

sorry George this photo doesnt show how the thing works very well but its the best I can find right now!

 

[N80]

Oh yeah, I've seen those around. Now I know what they are! Thanks.

 

[diyDave]

I'm sure there are those who will argue the point with me, but when I'm cutting orchard grass for hay here in MD, I use a bush hog 205 rotary bush hog, with one side removed. The trick is not to go real fast, about 3-4 mph. The hay is ejected out the left side, and the rotary action of the blades bruises the hay just enough to make it cure faster than a sickle bar mower. I get better hay with it than with a hay conditioner, and faster drying.