What a great site this is. I am looking for a new tractor and really like the Boomers. I typed in TC45 in google and found you guys. I have a 47 acre hilly parcel and need something I can use for 80% mowing(brush hog)pastures. I would like to know if I decide to cut my own hay with smaller equipment on 10 or 15 acres, will the TC45DA handle the job. Thanks a bunch!
Can I cut & bale hay with a TC45DA?
- Thread starter MarkR
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Inspector507
Super Member
MarkR,
Welcome to TBN.
I don't have your answers, but someone here will soon chime in that does. The TC45DA is a great tractor.
Welcome to TBN.
I don't have your answers, but someone here will soon chime in that does. The TC45DA is a great tractor.
MikePA
Super Moderator
Round bales or square? Is the land to be hayed flat or hilly? A square baler can really jerk a tractor around. The issue with baling isn't just the hp of the tractor, it's also the weight of the tractor. Having said that, there are some threads in the Kubota forum, with pictures, of haying with a tractor about the same size as a TC45DA. I'd also ask your dealer what he/she recommends. They should know what size tractor and equipment would work in your locale. Have you ever baled hay before? I ask because it's a hot, itchy, tiring job that can not be put off. If doing square bales, do you have people who can help you? Got a place to store them?
How much $ do you want to spend? What equipment do you already have? Hay rake, wagons, mocos, bale spear, etc.? Could end up being a lot of money, not to mention a lot of work, for only 15 acres, unless you buy used. If you buy used, how handy are you? How close is a dealer for parts when you need them? Even then it could be a decent chunk of change. Might be easier to have someone else do it. Do you work full time and will be haying in your spare time? If so, can you take off with short notice when the hay is ready to be cut, raked and baled? Would you like working a full time job, coming home, wolfing down a meal (maybe) then spending four, five or six hours on the tractor?
How much $ do you want to spend? What equipment do you already have? Hay rake, wagons, mocos, bale spear, etc.? Could end up being a lot of money, not to mention a lot of work, for only 15 acres, unless you buy used. If you buy used, how handy are you? How close is a dealer for parts when you need them? Even then it could be a decent chunk of change. Might be easier to have someone else do it. Do you work full time and will be haying in your spare time? If so, can you take off with short notice when the hay is ready to be cut, raked and baled? Would you like working a full time job, coming home, wolfing down a meal (maybe) then spending four, five or six hours on the tractor?
jinman
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Mark, I'm going to echo what Mike said about getting someone else to cut and bale your hay. I think the TC45DA is a great utility tractor, but a mediocre haying machine. I would not want to do haying with anything less than a TN-size tractor. Once you get round bales in the field on 10 acres, you'll have plenty of work for the TC45DA just getting the bales out of the field. It can handle bales with a 3PH spear and light bales less than 1500# on a quick-attach spear. If it was my tractor and I was going to handle a lot of bales, I'd plan on using the 3PH and keep the loader on front for counterbalance.
I think you will love the convenience, size, and ease of operation of the TC45DA for the hundreds of utility functions around your property using the loader, rotary cutter, etc.. I just believe you will be a lot happier getting someone else to do your haying for you. I also think your tractor will last a lot longer if you don't run it at or near it's limit all the time.
I'm attaching a photo I took of a D45 at a local dealer. You can see the handling of a round bale. It makes the D45 look pretty well loaded. I've also handled bales with my TC45D and it does a good job on the 3PH. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I think you will love the convenience, size, and ease of operation of the TC45DA for the hundreds of utility functions around your property using the loader, rotary cutter, etc.. I just believe you will be a lot happier getting someone else to do your haying for you. I also think your tractor will last a lot longer if you don't run it at or near it's limit all the time.
I'm attaching a photo I took of a D45 at a local dealer. You can see the handling of a round bale. It makes the D45 look pretty well loaded. I've also handled bales with my TC45D and it does a good job on the 3PH. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
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DVerbarg
Platinum Member
Mark,
Like the others have said the financial ROI for cost of all the haying equipment when considering its only 10 to 15 acres, not to mention the time invested, will never be positive. You may be better off having someone else do the work instead.
However if you are measuring ROI on a feel good measure and don't mind spending some money that will never give a positve return then we can definitely get behind that as many of us have done the same thing when buying some of our toys. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
However I have a TC40D and have used it in doing square bales. Here is a little background: My parents live next door and have 35 acres in alfalfa hay and I occassionally go out and help with the haying. They have a older MF 275 (comparable to the TN series size) for their work. The TC40D handles the conditioner (moco or whatever it may be referred to in your area) and hayrake just fine. The baler is usually handled by my parent's MF275. There have been two instances where their MF was experiencing problems and in that pinch we used the TC40D. If I did not have a point of comparison I might be tempted to say the TC40D can handle it fine but when compared to the larger tractors there is a definite difference. The HP is only part of the equation, the mass and weight of the tractor is a major factor. Our area is fairly flat. If it were a bit hilly there would be no way I would want to run a baler pulling a wagon behind the TC40D. The weight of a baler and the weight of a small wagon loaded coupled with the action of the plunger/compaction on the baler is all the TC40D can handle due to the weight/mass issue.
For baling a flat 10 acres 3 times a year you might get by with the TC45DA. But if you have the finances to throw at this and not be concerned for financial ROI I would opt for the TN series. If finances are a concern then pay someone else to do this work, you'll come out ahead.
Like the others have said the financial ROI for cost of all the haying equipment when considering its only 10 to 15 acres, not to mention the time invested, will never be positive. You may be better off having someone else do the work instead.
However if you are measuring ROI on a feel good measure and don't mind spending some money that will never give a positve return then we can definitely get behind that as many of us have done the same thing when buying some of our toys. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
However I have a TC40D and have used it in doing square bales. Here is a little background: My parents live next door and have 35 acres in alfalfa hay and I occassionally go out and help with the haying. They have a older MF 275 (comparable to the TN series size) for their work. The TC40D handles the conditioner (moco or whatever it may be referred to in your area) and hayrake just fine. The baler is usually handled by my parent's MF275. There have been two instances where their MF was experiencing problems and in that pinch we used the TC40D. If I did not have a point of comparison I might be tempted to say the TC40D can handle it fine but when compared to the larger tractors there is a definite difference. The HP is only part of the equation, the mass and weight of the tractor is a major factor. Our area is fairly flat. If it were a bit hilly there would be no way I would want to run a baler pulling a wagon behind the TC40D. The weight of a baler and the weight of a small wagon loaded coupled with the action of the plunger/compaction on the baler is all the TC40D can handle due to the weight/mass issue.
For baling a flat 10 acres 3 times a year you might get by with the TC45DA. But if you have the finances to throw at this and not be concerned for financial ROI I would opt for the TN series. If finances are a concern then pay someone else to do this work, you'll come out ahead.
Thanks for all the advise. I am not sure I even have time to make hay. It is just very expensive to buy around here. The TC45 is at the upper end of my budget,and I thought I would get the biggest I could afford if it would save me some money in the long run. Perhaps I should go with a smaller utility and buy a used AG tractor? I also dont have alot of time for repairs; that is why I am looking for a new one.
Thanks again for the help. Mark
Thanks again for the help. Mark
DocHeb
Veteran Member
The general consensus in historical posts was that you would have difficulty doing hay work with the typical haymaking attachments with a CUT. Some members say it can be done, but these comments tend to come from people selling equipment. There are significant weight and power issues in using a Class III compact tractor for haying. Those concerns are magnified if there is any slope on your land. There are specialized small bailers for <40hp tractors, but they are very expensive.
Also, inexpensive used hay working equipment tends to be inexpensive because it has worn out. Balers can be pretty finicky, and required significant operator knowledge to keep them tuned-up and running properly.
I have read all these threads in the past myself because I had visions of doing some hay work myself, but I have thought better of it. Consider hiring out your hay work, or do it on shares.
Also, inexpensive used hay working equipment tends to be inexpensive because it has worn out. Balers can be pretty finicky, and required significant operator knowledge to keep them tuned-up and running properly.
I have read all these threads in the past myself because I had visions of doing some hay work myself, but I have thought better of it. Consider hiring out your hay work, or do it on shares.
Soundguy
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This won't answer your question.. but the dealer I bought my 7610s from had a disc mower on it for display which they removed before delivering my tractor.., and when i went back the next week to pick up my manual.. the disc mower was mounted on a 45.
A lot smaller tractors bailed hay decades ago.. I know people that have bailed with ford 8n's and also jd B's I think weight is just as important as the hp..
Hobby hay vs comercial hay will also make a difference.
One other thing.. to save some money.. you can try to find a sickle bar mower rather than a disc mower...
Soundguy
A lot smaller tractors bailed hay decades ago.. I know people that have bailed with ford 8n's and also jd B's I think weight is just as important as the hp..
Hobby hay vs comercial hay will also make a difference.
One other thing.. to save some money.. you can try to find a sickle bar mower rather than a disc mower...
Soundguy
MikePA
Super Moderator
<font color="blue">I am not sure I even have time to make hay...I also dont have alot of time for repairs; that is why I am looking for a new one. </font>
Mark, forget about tractor related issues, re-read my first response. If you want to make hay, these 2 statements do not apply. If you want to make hay, you have to have the time, there's no way around it. And the smaller the equipment and the older it is, then the more time you need, both to make hay and to repair it.
This thread can go on forever with people suggesting alternatives, but guess what? Any alternative that costs less usually requires more time, something you said you're not sure you have. Buy the tractor you want and forget about making hay.
Mark, forget about tractor related issues, re-read my first response. If you want to make hay, these 2 statements do not apply. If you want to make hay, you have to have the time, there's no way around it. And the smaller the equipment and the older it is, then the more time you need, both to make hay and to repair it.
This thread can go on forever with people suggesting alternatives, but guess what? Any alternative that costs less usually requires more time, something you said you're not sure you have. Buy the tractor you want and forget about making hay.
DVerbarg
Platinum Member
Mark,
Mike made a great point about haying; you have to have the time. Not just the time but also on short notice. You can't schedule baling 2 weeks in advance. You may suddenly have to take a half day of work for cutting and then a day off of work to get the baling done as you work within the windows of good weather.
Haying equipment, especially used stuff, usually requires that you are mechanically inclined and willing to tinker, adjust and fix things on the fly. If you decide to go forward and puchase your own haying equipment find a local someone who you trust who also knows haying to help you look the equipment over.
Depending on your area another option is to hire out the baling work but do the cutting and raking yourself.
I'm not wanting to discourage you from doing it if you really want to, just want to paint an accurate picture of what to expect.
Mike made a great point about haying; you have to have the time. Not just the time but also on short notice. You can't schedule baling 2 weeks in advance. You may suddenly have to take a half day of work for cutting and then a day off of work to get the baling done as you work within the windows of good weather.
Haying equipment, especially used stuff, usually requires that you are mechanically inclined and willing to tinker, adjust and fix things on the fly. If you decide to go forward and puchase your own haying equipment find a local someone who you trust who also knows haying to help you look the equipment over.
Depending on your area another option is to hire out the baling work but do the cutting and raking yourself.
I'm not wanting to discourage you from doing it if you really want to, just want to paint an accurate picture of what to expect.
