A few pics from today’s square baling

[Quickster2]

2nd cutting in Michigan. 3X the yield of last year. 2005 DK45, Hesston 1091 Haybine, New Idea 402 Rake, Massey 120 baler. 5th year of doing our own hay as the previous folks retired. Lots more work doing it yourself but also greater flexibility to pick your days. Approximately 5 acres of hay on my 10 acre plot.

 

[wmfamily]

I remember getting paid 0, but my family fed me and gave me a bed to sleep in.

Yeah, that was our rate for family and close friends. We also had a neighbor who we only charge 2 cents a bale since he was as old as dirt and his bales only weighed about 30 pounds. We could carry two at a time and throw them one handed so it wasn't much work.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yeah, that was our rate for family and close friends. We also had a neighbor who we only charge 2 cents a bale since he was as old as dirt and his bales only weighed about 30 pounds. We could carry two at a time and throw them one handed so it wasn't much work.

Gotta crank up the plunger/pressure!

 

[wmfamily]

Gotta crank up the plunger/pressure!

Well, since he was in his 80s that is all he could carry. He still ran a farm and got around fine. It was funny that dad expected us to do the work for free but he insisted on paying us. He thought 2 cents was plenty expensive but he wife would bring us fresh lemonade and feed us lunch so we couldn't complain. That was also my first "real" job at 9 or 10 driving the tractor and being paid a penny a bale. That was a lot of money for me at the time.

 

[EddieWalker]

Great thread. I was supposed to be at work by 9am, but couldn't stop reading all the comments and looking at the pictures!!!!

 

[mattoxb]

My Dad used to put the hay on "shocks" and also use horse drawn equipment back in the day. He would say "We wore the hay out before it ever got to the barn". I truly miss him.

 

[civilian]

Unsafe is a relative term. When you are in a small field with an inexperienced operator, IMO it can be unsafe. Especially when raking and baling in tandem. We already have had a few close calls, so that’s the way I see it. I make 1000 tons of hay a year and with the amount of time I spend in the field, it’s a wonder we haven’t had anything more than a minor accident. Also, many of my fields are hilly or have obstacles to work around.
If you don’t feel the same way, I have no reason to disagree with you.
Its an unsafe way to make a living in general and accident statistics support farming as a very dangerous occupation.
Stay safe out there!
Keep posting pictures, both current and past!

How much acreage does it take to get 1000 tons? Never had to work on a farm, but did have to work in the family business of hauling finished milk products to stores. Started at age 16 when he bought the business, summers and after school. Even had to bobtail the semi tractors over the road before I was 18. In college, I worked some weekends and between school breaks and engineering coop.

Thanks for starting the thread and I am enjoying the stories and pictures. Jon

 

[sea2summit]

How much acreage does it take to get 1000 tons? Never had to work on a farm, but did have to work in the family business of hauling finished milk products to stores. Started at age 16 when he bought the business, summers and after school. Even had to bobtail the semi tractors over the road before I was 18. In college, I worked some weekends and between school breaks and engineering coop.

Thanks for starting the thread and I am enjoying the stories and pictures. Jon

Depends on a lot of things, this year we’re seeing about 2 tons/acre per cut and we missed having a good first cut so probably only get two this year. Hopefully about 3.5 ton/acre with the two cuts.

 

[Hay Dude]

How much acreage does it take to get 1000 tons? Never had to work on a farm, but did have to work in the family business of hauling finished milk products to stores. Started at age 16 when he bought the business, summers and after school. Even had to bobtail the semi tractors over the road before I was 18. In college, I worked some weekends and between school breaks and engineering coop.

Thanks for starting the thread and I am enjoying the stories and pictures. Jon

Our acreage and number of cuts varies each year, but over 400 acres generally speaking

 

[OrsoMarrone]

All you big timers! I spent yesterday running a 60 year old sickle bar mower, and today with a similar age rolla-bar rake. Tomorrow will be Noah's NH Square baler. You also seem to be missing the excitement of monster terraces laid out by a drunken sailor! I would love to share mine with someone.