Agratronix Hay Temperature and Moisture Testers

[whitmerlegacyfarm]

Hey guys, Was curious if anyone has or has used one of these if this would do well for my small hay making operation. Wondering if they are actually a reliable tool or just gives out useless data that's not real accurate? I had trouble this past year knowin when to bale and all and lossed a good bit of hay. Really going to get into this summer so i'm thinkin an extra 215 bucks maybe be worth it for the few thousands bales i hope to make. Lot of the local farmers tell me its not necessary but they have been doin for years and have the knowledge. What's everyones thoughts. I saw the Delmhorst ones they seem to be more well know a little pricer though.

 

[D7E]

Hey guys, Was curious if anyone has or has used one of these if this would do well for my small hay making operation. Wondering if they are actually a reliable tool or just gives out useless data that's not real accurate? I had trouble this past year knowin when to bale and all and lossed a good bit of hay. Really going to get into this summer so i'm thinkin an extra 215 bucks maybe be worth it for the few thousands bales i hope to make. Lot of the local farmers tell me its not necessary but they have been doin for years and have the knowledge. What's everyones thoughts. I saw the Delmhorst ones they seem to be more well know a little pricer though.

A lot of people bought them years ago and none seem to use them any more . Mine gave readings all over the place and neighbours all say the same , alot of hay gets spoiled from lying meters .
My baler will give me a better idea just by reading the automatic density readings as you are baling .

 

[Grateful11]

My wife bought one marked John Deere but made by Agratronix and got readings all over the place. Borrowed a guys that had been calibrated and it gave decently consistent numbers. Side by side the two testers were greatly different in their readings. She too it back and got another, same crazy readings. She usually uses the break test and she's been helping her Dad bale hay for nearly 40 years and knows pretty much when it's ready and when it's not. You didn't mention with were looking at a in the field tester for unbaled hay or hay that's already been baled. They baled over 400 round bales this past year and so far has only had a couple bales with any spotty mold and those were some Oats hay that had a far amount of daisy's in them which are very slow to dry out. She doesn't ted her hay, they never have and the farm has been here for nearly 100 years. It is however mowed with a Haybine.

 

[whitmerlegacyfarm]

I had planned on just using it in the windrows i guess. But then again i have yet to try and do a first cutting. Last year was my first attempt at haying and i only did a 2nd cut on my 10 ac and a 3rd cut that i knew was way wait but i just got my first baler late sept. so i wanted to see if it would bale plus i picked up a HS-8 tedder so i was anxious to use the stuff bales felt like 80lbs but i ran 45 bales threw the old nh 68 no problem theat weight other then had 3 half way threw that i think just slipped the knots cause being so wet will find out this spring. I helped my neighbor w/ a 2nd cut on like 15 acs. where we got like 220 bales and just couldn't get it dry early sept. But that was sickle baring all this past season. Now i have a NH479 with rollers that arn't the greatest but also picked up NH 1469 SP for real check cutter head and rollers are mint KEY will be to just keep it running. I think will just give it a shot w/ out one this year sounds like they don't work the greatest for the money.

I'm ready to make some hay! Very big learning experience.

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

I had planned on just using it in the windrows i guess. But then again i have yet to try and do a first cutting. Last year was my first attempt at haying and i only did a 2nd cut on my 10 ac and a 3rd cut that i knew was way wait but i just got my first baler late sept. so i wanted to see if it would bale plus i picked up a HS-8 tedder so i was anxious to use the stuff bales felt like 80lbs but i ran 45 bales threw the old nh 68 no problem theat weight other then had 3 half way threw that i think just slipped the knots cause being so wet will find out this spring. I helped my neighbor w/ a 2nd cut on like 15 acs. where we got like 220 bales and just couldn't get it dry early sept. But that was sickle baring all this past season. Now i have a NH479 with rollers that arn't the greatest but also picked up NH 1469 SP for real check cutter head and rollers are mint KEY will be to just keep it running. I think will just give it a shot w/ out one this year sounds like they don't work the greatest for the money.

I'm ready to make some hay! Very big learning experience.

Might be a bit of a haul for you but you would have a blast and be able to check out all of the hay gadgets and equipment at the Louisville Farm Show. Best part is talking to all of the reps and getting a closeup look all at one place. It helps me get thru the winter and looking forward to spring and making Hay!.

 

[Grateful11]

My wife and son are going the Southern Farm Show in Raleigh, NC in 3 weeks, I might tag along I just have trouble doing that much walking. She wants to look at some sprayers. Farm shows are a excellent way to get a good idea of what's out there. She hasn't been in a couple years, seems like there's always bad weather that week for some reason.

 

[whitmerlegacyfarm]

Yea i probably wont' be able to make it. I was at our State farm show last weekend but didn't get to look at the equipment/suppliers. Had to rush out my sister-in-law went into labor there, skipped that room but was for a good reason. Might try and make it back there today, but got a lot going on today. Tough finding time right now i'm self employeed and i got the work so i gota get er done before hay making comes so i can slack off a little then to get my hay made. I'm really addicted to this hay making can't wait for summer. With he help of all you here at TBN it's going to be fun!