Hay operation using Gc2610

radrock · Mar 10, 2013

Gary Fowler said:
At $15K for a baler to bale mini bales, I think it outrageously priced. For that amount, one could buy a used old iron tractor and a used square baler and rake and sickle bar cutter.

I would have to agree on that one as well!

Ed of all trades · Mar 10, 2013

There is a company in Pa that makes horse drawn equipment, J&K or something like that, that sells a trailer type sickle bar pto mower that would work well. If you mounted a weighted barrel on your front end loader, hung it from chains ect. to press down the windrow as you bail the hay with a round bailer it just might work and would prob. feed better. I gave a GC2400 and have just figured that might work.

94BULLITT · Mar 10, 2013

How much hay could you buy for $15k?

liberty2701 · Mar 10, 2013

I know it does come down to dollars and cents.15k is alot. I was just wondering if it has been done by anyone on the forum. A cost analysis would have to be done for hay in my area and the demand for the smaller bales.

mud23609 · Mar 10, 2013

If you take your time and shop right, a person could buy a complete set of older used equipment including a tractor large enough to handle it for 15k.

I was at an auction last summer that a guy could have done it all in one shot. Watched a 65 horse massy loader tractor go for 5500 bucks, the haybine went for about two grand, rake went for a hundred bucks, and the round and square balers each went for a touch over 2000 bucks. All older, but working equipment.

In addition you would get your hay done in probably a fifth of the time that it would take with that little tractor and baler. Food for thought.

liberty2701 · Mar 10, 2013

mud23609 said:
If you take your time and shop right, a person could buy a complete set of older used equipment including a tractor large enough to handle it for 15k.

I was at an auction last summer that a guy could have done it all in one shot. Watched a 65 horse massy loader tractor go for 5500 bucks, the haybine went for about two grand, rake went for a hundred bucks, and the round and square balers each went for a touch over 2000 bucks. All older, but working equipment.

In addition you would get your hay done in probably a fifth of the time that it would take with that little tractor and baler. Food for thought.

All good advice. thanks