HP and size for Hay ??

[sweettractors]

I would go with 70 HP 2 wheel drive with FEL to handle the round bales and the hay roller. Ken Sweet

 

[jlsmith]

Like Ken said 70 hp (pto) and 2wd. Dont know y anyone would use a 4wd in a hay field.:thumbsup:

 

[Duffster]

Here's a link to a prototype NCSU budget for harvesting large round bales that may be useful.

http://www.ag-econ.ncsu.edu/extension/budgets/hayharvest_roundbales_84-2.pdf

Steve

With those numbers I think we paid for all of our equipment with first crop alone. :laughing:

 

[smstonypoint]

With those numbers I think we paid for all of our equipment with first crop alone. :laughing:

Note that the prototype budget does not include the costs of producing the hay crop; e.g., pro-rated establishment costs, fertilization, weed control, etc.

Steve

 

[blueriver]

I have been doing hay for a few years now. 2 tractors, 43hp and 55hp ... one 7' sickle mower and 0ne 8' disc mower ... round baler is a 4x4

I have 120 acres of hay. Do not under estimate the 4x4 bales. I find more folks have small tractors, small acreages and love handling the smaller rolls.

 

[Duffster]

Note that the prototype budget does not include the costs of producing the hay crop; e.g., pro-rated establishment costs, fertilization, weed control, etc.

Steve

Yes I noticed that.

I think the numbers are a bit exaggerated.

 

[smstonypoint]

Yes I noticed that.

I think the numbers are a bit exaggerated.

These prototype budgets are published to assist farmers in preparing their own budgets. The various expense items can be adjusted up or down according to each individual's situation.

As they say, your mileage may vary.

Steve

 

[KWentling]

Dont know y anyone would use a 4wd in a hay field.:thumbsup:[/QUOT
I should have used the term "MFWA" or "MFWD" and not "4WD"( didn't mean a Stieger!), but it sure makes a loader tractor get around better in low traction situations when you have a bale on the loader. I have a 1070 Case 2WD (108 hp PTO) with loaded rears that I have traction problems with sometimes feeding in the winter. I'll bet 80% of the tractors I see making hay around here are MFWD unless it's an older (pre 80's) tractor.

Kim

 

[Bigfoot62]

Like Ken said 70 hp (pto) and 2wd. Dont know y anyone would use a 4wd in a hay field.:thumbsup:

I don't use anything BUT a MFWD in my hay fields.
IMHO, a 2WD tractor with a FEL is useless, it's "crippled." (try backing up a hill with a 5'x6' round bale on a 2WD 70hp tractor) The MFWD tractor of the same size can safely handle a much bigger load. (look at the specs for just about any tractor and see how much greater the front axle capacity is for the MFWD)

 

[jlsmith]

I don't use anything BUT a MFWD in my hay fields.
IMHO, a 2WD tractor with a FEL is useless, it's "crippled." (try backing up a hill with a 5'x6' round bale on a 2WD 70hp tractor) The MFWD tractor of the same size can safely handle a much bigger load. (look at the specs for just about any tractor and see how much greater the front axle capacity is for the MFWD)

Well i guess its just all in knowing how to use the fel. As far as being useless i dont know about that cuz i NEVER had any problems loading moving or unloading hay. As far as pulling a baler or rake a 2wd is much more effective in the hay field. Verry FEW people in this area use 4wd in a hay field. Im not putting one in there and tearing up an $450,000 field. And yes i back up and drive up hill with a load of hay with my 2wd MF. True the front axle capacity is greater but when ur talking about hay bales the the 2wd axle has no prob. If your loading out a dump truck with rock or gravel then yes by all means the 4wd is much more effective and needed.