Another hay question

[flusher]

My dad used to tell me I wouldn't miss what I never knew about. (I THINK he was referring to my common sense, or gross lack there-of at the time ) Well, I applied that logic to my hayin' for most of my years. I started off with a Massey Ferguson #41 DynaBalance 7' sickle bar when I first started. Then I bought (in 1976) a New Holland 451 7'er that I still use to this day. I always knew that things would be better with a mower/conditioner, but being a tightwad, it ain't happenin'. I lost a few cutting to rain because of that extra day or so on the ground, but all in all, my hay was usually of good quality.

It's all about a balance of available cash, available time, and desired yields/quality of crop. Basic, simple, old fashioned equipment more than adaquately met my needs. No reason why the very same system can't work for people in a simular situation.

Me too. I'm trying to keep this haying deal as simple and economical as possible. That means vintage equipment all the way. A pre-owned mo-co would be fun to work on and get into operating shape. But that's probably not in my future. For now cleaning up that sicklebar mower will keep me plenty busy.

BTW: I notices some green paint on that sicklebar. Could it be a Deere? Haven't found any ID tags yet, but I'm looking.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Me too. I'm trying to keep this haying deal as simple and economical as possible. That means vintage equipment all the way. A pre-owned mo-co would be fun to work on and get into operating shape. But that's probably not in my future. For now cleaning up that sicklebar mower will keep me plenty busy.

BTW: I notices some green paint on that sicklebar. Could it be a Deere? Haven't found any ID tags yet, but I'm looking.

I've been racking my brain to try and figure out what sort of mower that is. It doesn't look like any Deere mower I've ever seen. I'm thinking Oliver or Minneapolis Moline possibly. (Or Allis Chalmers?)

Rebuilding a MOCO can get real spendy if there's any major wear.

It was always more important to me to safely operate with-in a tight budget than it was to be "cutting edge" with my farming. Once a dollar was mine, I wanted to KEEP it. I never was in danger of being on the cover of Successful Farming, but I never felt like there was an axe hanging over my head either.

 

[flusher]

I've been racking my brain to try and figure out what sort of mower that is. It doesn't look like any Deere mower I've ever seen. I'm thinking Oliver or Minneapolis Moline possibly. (Or Allis Chalmers?)

Rebuilding a MOCO can get real spendy if there's any major wear.

It was always more important to me to safely operate with-in a tight budget than it was to be "cutting edge" with my farming. Once a dollar was mine, I wanted to KEEP it. I never was in danger of being on the cover of Successful Farming, but I never felt like there was an axe hanging over my head either.

I thought it might be an AC when I first saw it. Then the guy who sold it to me said it probably was a mower that the county road department originally owned and then sold at one of the periodic auctions they hold. County mowers tend to be orangish color, which seemed to me to be the paint color on most of the mower. Green color might mean an Oliver.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I thought it might be an AC when I first saw it. Then the guy who sold it to me said it probably was a mower that the county road department originally owned and then sold at one of the periodic auctions they hold. County mowers tend to be orangish color, which seemed to me to be the paint color on most of the mower. Green color might mean an Oliver.

Hey Flusher! If you could, post a picture of the other side and a rear view of the mower. I found a little bit of information on a Massey Harris mower and they look strikingly like yours.

 

[flusher]

Hey Flusher! If you could, post a picture of the other side and a rear view of the mower. I found a little bit of information on a Massey Harris mower and they look strikingly like yours.

FWJ: OK, here they are.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Well, It ISN'T the model of Massey Harris I thought it might be. The longer I look at it, the more familiar it keeps looking. I'll look through a few parts catalogs to see if the gaurds look like a certain brand.

 

[zzvyb6]

Are those New Idea colors? I had a NI mower similar but a little less complex drive mechanism.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Are those New Idea colors? I had a NI mower similar but a little less complex drive mechanism.

New Idea was orange and green, (w/ some silver trim) but that doesn't look like any New Idea mower I've ever seen. NI was popular in this area once upon a time. I'm thinking Oliver/Minneapolis Moline, Allis Chalmers, or even Case. (Older Case equipment was "Flambeau Red", (sp) Allow for some UV damage/oxydation and they look orange) Equipment that old is just as likely to have been repainted a few times. There's a PURPLE John Deere B not too far from the house. Things can get painted ANY color. Although that's a good place to start, color isn't always a true indicator.

I've been scouring old parts catalogs to try to identify any parts of the mower. (ie gaurds, ect) I never realized how many "off brand" mowers there were. I've seen dozens of names I've never heard of.

 

[steveky]

I'm no hay farmer by any means. But I bale a few for my mini moos. Try and get youself a decent baler. There is nothing more frustrating that trying to bale hay with a baler that will not work. Good way to loose your religion for sure.

Farm with junk..thats a good looking MF you have on your avatar.

Steve

 

[billbill1]

That sickle bar mower looks like an AC that my Grandpa had. He had all AC stuff, a WD45, WC, and a D14. All AC equipment as far as I know.

 

[flusher]

New Idea was orange and green, (w/ some silver trim) but that doesn't look like any New Idea mower I've ever seen. NI was popular in this area once upon a time. I'm thinking Oliver/Minneapolis Moline, Allis Chalmers, or even Case. (Older Case equipment was "Flambeau Red", (sp) Allow for some UV damage/oxydation and they look orange) Equipment that old is just as likely to have been repainted a few times. There's a PURPLE John Deere B not too far from the house. Things can get painted ANY color. Although that's a good place to start, color isn't always a true indicator.

I've been scouring old parts catalogs to try to identify any parts of the mower. (ie gaurds, ect) I never realized how many "off brand" mowers there were. I've seen dozens of names I've never heard of.

FWJ: The drive housing has the words "Twin Wheel Drive" on the casting.

I googled and found this website, a little gem with a wealth of info on old iron:

Allis Chalmers snap coupler sickle mower for sale

My sicklebar mower is, I think, an Allis Chalmers 80T, the trailer version of the 3pt hitch model 80R3 shown on Chat's Tractors website.

 

[flusher]

FWJ: The drive housing has the words "Twin Wheel Drive" on the casting.

I googled and found this website, a little gem with a wealth of info on old iron:

Allis Chalmers snap coupler sickle mower for sale

My sicklebar mower is, I think, an Allis Chalmers 80T, the trailer version of the 3pt hitch model 80R3 shown on Chat's Tractors website.


QUOTE]

FWJ:
If you compare the photos of the AC 80R3 mower on Chat's Tractors website with the photos I posted earlier in this thread, you can see that some modifications were made to my mower by a previous owner. Looks like two braces and a gusset were welded onto the rear support bracket carrying the big pulley. Probably a good idea to include this added support on that bracket.

Also a piece of pipe was welded onto the frame to provide storage for the restraint chain when it's not in use.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm inclined to believe you're right about the mower being AC. Dad had a WD and a mid-mounted mower. Parts of it looked a lot like yours. After seeing the complexity of the snap-coupler mounted mower, I'd bet the towed model was fairly popular. AGCO is not too bad about finding parts, and compared to Deere and Case/NH, they're actually reasonably priced.

 

[flusher]

I'm inclined to believe you're right about the mower being AC. Dad had a WD and a mid-mounted mower. Parts of it looked a lot like yours. After seeing the complexity of the snap-coupler mounted mower, I'd bet the towed model was fairly popular. AGCO is not too bad about finding parts, and compared to Deere and Case/NH, they're actually reasonably priced.

There is a version of the AC 80 called the 80S that's a mid-mounted mower (AC calls it "side mounted" hence the "S"). Perhaps this is the one you're remembering.

That mower on the Chat's Tractor website is probably the AC 80R2 that works with AC's 2-arm quick hitch. It's certainly not the version that goes on a 3pt hitch.

I've already ordered the ops/parts manual for the mower from manuals.us.

 

[Rara Avis]

For used equipment check out...
New & Used farm equipment, tractors, combines, and other used and new machinery by Fastline Publications

When it comes to haying as a business, you will need a Mower/Conditioner...so your hay will dry properly...

 

[BryanM]

well if you had followed this thread at all, my question was should I could get info $ out of haying to pay for some land small parcel. Well I picked up a book on small farm haying, and went to an auction this mourning just to see what farm equip. was going for. they had a couple older tractors; 64 oliver 1850 diesel went for $2800 , 60 farmall wide front gas went for $1900 and a IH 45t baler looked in okay shape for age and had bales still in it went for $150. which I almost got a hand in but couldnt convince myself if I could get parts for this baler so I let it go. Then I got hmoe told the wife she says why didnt you buy!!!!!!! Go figure! So what do you think good deals? I am going to a few more auctions the next couple wks to look at a 273 baler by NH, and a JD 14T got any idea what these thinks should go for if in okay working shape? thanks for the help!

 

[zzvyb6]

I'll bet money that if you had brought home the baler, the wife would have asked why you brought home that old orphan piece of rusty junk. Meanwhile the auctions will keep coming, 273's are good balers. I have a 14T paid $250 for it not working 20 years ago and still can order parts for it from JD. Ag junk yards are full of needles, knotter and plunger parts. Don't forget, you will need a rake: bar or wheel = $250 --> $1500.

As Spring arrives, prices will go up. Winter is a great time to fix, repair, replace, paint, inspect, modify, update, reconfigure and dream. If you want to practice/try out the baler, buy a few bales, break them up and feed them thru as a stationary operation. Start looking for buyers right now, too. Neighbors are the best. Plan out the pickup and delivery of the stuff, too. Trailer, truck, come get it. Ask people what's best for THEM. That's how you can corner the market. For horse people, Sevice outweighs price (within reason). I've been in both positions.

 

[BryanM]

What do you think about the tractor prices/ avg? I am taking your reply as it probably is a good thing to wait for a 14t or273IH ? What do you think an AVg $ amount is for a working avg baler of these brands? I have no clue?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

With the tractors what type of parts support is a big issue before buying. If you can't get parts quickly then keep looking unless it is a spare tractor you can live without.

 

[zzvyb6]

Have not followed tractor prices. I myself am looking at used JD 327, 328 and 336 models. Problem is many of those at dealsers have throwers or kickers. I just want a 1/4 turn drop chute. Prices on these in my region are $2000 to $4500 depending on build year.

As time goes on this Winter and Spring, the drought and flood conditions in hay producing areas will drive up demand for home baling ability. This is for hobby horse farms, small boarders, etc.

Hay prices of $4.00 to $8.00 a square bale will be common by spring as people run out. If you can rebale rounds into squares there is some opportunity, too.

If you can sustain this price in your area, 10 acres could make you 1000 bales easy from 2 cuttings, more if you fertilize. This requires good weather sequences, but you can see how tempting it is to buy the right equipment and get it paid for. A wiser choice would be to NOT screw your customers and earn their favor as a fair farmer, not an opportunist. Jut focus on good, clean product that smells good.