Have new 4105 -- Want to hay

kfvintx · Nov 29, 2011

Background and details: I have about 90-100 acres in coastal. It has been leased out for past 10 years with little done to it other than grazing. Prior to leasing out and getting somewhat run down, it produced really good. Now it has some small cedar and mesquite trees scattered throughout along with some thin and/or barren areas. I intend to gently renovate (aerate or use cultivator and then apply proper fertilizer hoping to not reseed or have to start from plowing under) back to fully producing. Hoping that some aeration/conditioning along with some fertilizer along with getting cut on regular basis will get back to what I want over the next couple years.

I have a JD 4105 for cleaning up and renovating (still researching and deciding on best method for this).

Question: what haying equipment can I run with JD 4105 (41hp; 33hp at PTO)? I know I need a mower -- is disc mower good to get started? What about smaller MOCO? I think I'm OK on rakes. Baler -- can I run a small round (4 x 5) baler? Don't really want to do square as round has better market in my area and less labor.

I'm just looking for advice on getting started and what to keep an eye out for if I wanted to. I know everything will be on the small side and will likely move into larger equipment later. I also know smaller means more time -- this is something I want to do...... all time on the tractor at the ranch is consider quality stress relief from hectic city life and job.

Thanks for all input. I know there is alot of experience and knowledge on this topic so any parting with it is greatly appreciated. :thumbsup:

--Kenny

ctlguy · Nov 29, 2011

Disc mowers are great for lower hp applications, they are fast and have few wear parts. Downside, spendy. As far as the 4x5 rounds and moco if you do have plenty of time as far as operating you could be ok depending on the individual att hp needs. I would worry about the imp weight as well, especially if you have any hills as round balers and moco's (esp if they have a conditioner) are heavy att and in a downhill situation you may not be in control any longer. Lot's of cut seats out there with the tell tale pucker crease left in the seat :laughing:

dmay · Nov 29, 2011

JD 4105 (41hp; 33hp at PTO) just barely meets the minimum PTO requirements to power a small round baler. You also have to consider the overall weight of your tractor and how a round baler being operated is going to feel behind you. I'd find one to rent and test before investing in a purchase.

Verticaltrx · Nov 29, 2011

I don't think you have enough tractor to handle either a disc mower or a round baler, unless they were both very small. Best bet on the mower would be a good sickle bar or a small 7' mower conditioner (with sickle). Drum mowers are another option although I have personally never used them.

As for the baler, you need more hp on the PTO to do much of anything with even a small 4x4 round baler. We have a 446 JD round baler (4x4) and tried it once on our 5045e JD (38 PTO HP). It was so under powered first and second gear were all that were useable in light hay. Heavy hay would bog down and stall the tractor.

The do make some very small round balers from overseas that would work with your size tractor, but there are probably others who could give better advice on those.

Tx Jim · Nov 30, 2011

I also agree that your tractor is lacking in HP & weight to operate a rd baler or disc cutter. A drum cutter and sq baler would be an option along with maybe a custom hay baler person.

blueriver · Nov 30, 2011

You can accomplish this. They make disc mowers for your HP and round balers as well.

For example Frontier DM 1160 disc mower is rated for 40hp ... it is a 7'10" cut (6 disc)and Frontier makes the 1150 that is a 5 disc for even less HP tractor. I have seen disc mowers that have 3 disc.

Case IH 8430 round baler is rated for 40 hp and the 8420 for less hp.

With Bermuda grass a sickle mower can work...but its a tuff cut....other factors to consider ... everything pulls harder in sandy soil or hilly country.

Also look for a 3 point hitch sprayer ... good for weed control and knock those little saplings dead. Can also use the sprayer for liquid fertilizer.

kfvintx · Nov 30, 2011

Field is relatively flat so not worried about hills. I know it can be a concern but less than 10' elevation change across entire field.

Where can I find requirements of older equipment? Just out of curiosity I started looking and just happen to see JD 926 MOCO and JD 567 baler. Both 2000-2003 model years with prices I could afford and justify. Both are 540 PTO but can't find anything for hp requirements to know if even worth considering. By no means have I narrowed my choices to these but just offering as starting point and for comparison.

And yes, sprayer on the list as well. Just haven't got that far in my research yet.

In the past, including this year, we have gone in halves with someone to cut and bale they hay. It is still an option but I would like to become a little more self-sufficient in this area.

Again, thanks for all input and opinions. It is greatly appreciated.

JD5210 · Nov 30, 2011

For JD equipment after 1999. You can find the manuals online. The 926 requires 65 to 75 PTO HP.

John Deere Ag - New Equipment: Technical Publications - Equipment Search

sweettractors · Nov 30, 2011

kfvintx said:
Background and details: I have about 90-100 acres in coastal. It has been leased out for past 10 years with little done to it other than grazing. Prior to leasing out and getting somewhat run down, it produced really good. Now it has some small cedar and mesquite trees scattered throughout along with some thin and/or barren areas. I intend to gently renovate (aerate or use cultivator and then apply proper fertilizer hoping to not reseed or have to start from plowing under) back to fully producing. Hoping that some aeration/conditioning along with some fertilizer along with getting cut on regular basis will get back to what I want over the next couple years.

I have a JD 4105 for cleaning up and renovating (still researching and deciding on best method for this).

Question: what haying equipment can I run with JD 4105 (41hp; 33hp at PTO)? I know I need a mower -- is disc mower good to get started? What about smaller MOCO? I think I'm OK on rakes. Baler -- can I run a small round (4 x 5) baler? Don't really want to do square as round has better market in my area and less labor.

I'm just looking for advice on getting started and what to keep an eye out for if I wanted to. I know everything will be on the small side and will likely move into larger equipment later. I also know smaller means more time -- this is something I want to do...... all time on the tractor at the ranch is consider quality stress relief from hectic city life and job.

Thanks for all input. I know there is alot of experience and knowledge on this topic so any parting with it is greatly appreciated. :thumbsup:

--Kenny

We have new and used 7 ft sickles also new and used disc mowers and good used small round balers you can handle with 40hp. Call Greg at 270-524-0385 Ken Sweet

AKfish · Nov 30, 2011

blueriver said:
For example Frontier DM 1160 disc mower is rated for 40hp ... it is a 7'10" cut (6 disc)and Frontier makes the 1150 that is a 5 disc for even less HP tractor. I have seen disc mowers that have 3 disc.

Case IH 8430 round baler is rated for 40 hp and the 8420 for less hp.

With Bermuda grass a sickle mower can work...but its a tuff cut....other factors to consider ... everything pulls harder in sandy soil or hilly country.

Also look for a 3 point hitch sprayer ... good for weed control and knock those little saplings dead. Can also use the sprayer for liquid fertilizer.

I've been "chasing" the small tractor hay operation for nearly 8 years, now. (Kinda funny... to write that and realize how many years I've been working at a small Hp-tractor farming operation.)

I started out with a JD970 (33hp and 30hp@pto) moved up to a JD110 (43hp and 33hp@pto) and now have gone to a JD5075M (75hp and 60hp@pto).

Still have the JD110 and used it this past summer to mow, rake, and tedd timothy hay. As blueriver indicated - there are some very nice disc mowers out there that will do a great job with a small tractor. Kuhn makes the Frontier line and JD "spray paints" 'em green. I have a Kuhn DMG 400 (4-disc and 5'3" cut). It cuts fast and clean and will cut in heavy thick hay. The counterpart Frontier model is the 1040.

I looked at the Frontier 1050 and think for many hay types and conditions you could use it with 33hp. But, if you're slogging through real tall, and wet conditions - stay with a 4 disc model.

I personally, would not recommend investing in a round baler for a small CUT. The cost is too high and the baler will overpower your tractor in most situations. And, if you ever upgrade to a larger tractor - you'll have a round baler that is a poor fit. If you generally bale in hot and very dry conditions - west Texas - cut 1 day and bale the next... and the bales never weigh more than ~400lbs; you might get by. But, you'll work the "dog crap" outta your tractor, too!

Go with small squares or hire someone to come in and bale it for you. ("Course you'll have to move those rounds, too. Don't get 'em too big or your tractor won't lift 'em - except on the rear 3pt.)

I've got an older, JD336 square baler. The 110 will do a real good job on the baler. But, it won't go fast and you have to pay real close attention to how heavy the windrows are when raking. The baler will overpower the tractor... so, you have to watch how fast you pull the baler into the windrows.

This is startin' to get too long winded -- and -- if I had 90-100 acres of hay ground and seriously wanted to "do-it-myself"; I'd buy a nice double rake and sprayer for that JD4105 and hire someone to mow and bale the hay.

When the time comes and you're ready to do the hay crop yourself - buy a good, 95hp 2WD tractor and 4'x6' round baler and mower conditioner (or mower).

The JD4105 can do all the raking and spraying and maybe fertilizing. And that big tractor can handle the heavy chores.

Best of luck.

AKfish