So hard to decide... need input Bobcat/Kioti

[Hay Dude]

As a fairly experienced hay farmer, Im looking at what youre doing from a completely different perspective. I understand why you want to do this, but you will struggle just to break even, more likely youll lose money on the hay end. Now that may not be an issue, but please dont think youll make money unless you have a LOT of tractor work you can do, or another source of income (I do construction).
If I were you, Id buy a used, proper farm tractor since it sounds like you want to do this as a business, not a pastime. Starting off with payments (even at “ zero “ financing) is going to put you in a hole that hay sales cannot keep up with. Id want to see you doing more of the other tractor work, say mowing fields and snowplowing, etc., before you even worry about hay. Remember, you are going to need a baler, disc mower, rake, Tedder and wagons if you do small bales and barn storage. Thats a LOT of capital investment. Its not just about a tractor.
I started out exactly the same way you did, and I wasted a lot of time on smallish equipment only to outgrow it and lose money on it while concentrating on hay.
If I were in your shoes, Id buy a good low hour, non tier 4 larger frame 75+ HP tractor with a cab and a loader before I bought a light weight small frame new tractor with all the pollution nonsense. Look around, youll see few for-profit farmers run a tractor like that. Only Personal or hobby use guys make hay with tractors like that. That way you can probably run a 12-15’ mower and a round baler or small square baler without breaking the bank.
Spend your money on new or newer attachments, not tractors.

 

[redman135]

Hay dude, what is causing the weird characters in your post?

 

[Hay Dude]

Hay dude, what is causing the weird characters in your post?

Dont know, but apostrophes seem to cause it :laughing:

 

[rScotty]

As a fairly experienced hay farmer, Im looking at what youre doing from a completely different perspective. I understand why you want to do this, but you will struggle just to break even, more likely youll lose money on the hay end. Now that may not be an issue, but please dont think youll make money unless you have a LOT of tractor work you can do, or another source of income (I do construction).
If I were you, Id buy a used, proper farm tractor since it sounds like you want to do this as a business, not a pastime. Starting off with payments (even at “ zero “ financing) is going to put you in a hole that hay sales cannot keep up with. Id want to see you doing more of the other tractor work, say mowing fields and snowplowing, etc., before you even worry about hay. Remember, you are going to need a baler, disc mower, rake, Tedder and wagons if you do small bales and barn storage. Thats a LOT of capital investment. Its not just about a tractor.
I started out exactly the same way you did, and I wasted a lot of time on smallish equipment only to outgrow it and lose money on it while concentrating on hay.
If I were in your shoes, Id buy a good low hour, non tier 4 larger frame 75+ HP tractor with a cab and a loader before I bought a light weight small frame new tractor with all the pollution nonsense. Look around, youll see few for-profit farmers run a tractor like that. Only Personal or hobby use guys make hay with tractors like that. That way you can probably run a 12-15’ mower and a round baler or small square baler without breaking the bank.
Spend your money on new or newer attachments, not tractors.

Absolutely agree. That's great information and is the same thing I've heard from my farming friends. Big & comfortable older tractor, newer implements, and no payments because haying is a break-even business.... but enjoyable.
rScotty

 

[zeroforhire]

Thanks everyone. I looks like I may have it backwards. I thought the tractor was the thing to buy new because I would need to rely on it... Then piece together implements.

 

[GSVette]

Iirc Jordon has(or had) a implement ‘loaner’ program which I found very interesting when I was contemplating my tractor purchase. They were in my final down select and if not for the screaming deal I got on my LS- I’d have likely bought from them.

 

[Hay Dude]

Thanks everyone. I looks like I may have it backwards. I thought the tractor was the thing to buy new because I would need to rely on it... Then piece together implements.

You can do it that way, but in my experience, go more well used on the tractor. If possible get a real good baler. That’s the piece that’s hardest to get fixed quick when it breaks and the hay is just right for baling and rain is a few hours away. :laughing:
Rakes and tedders are cheap/easy to fix, unless you have a teenage son who likes to wrap them around trees.
The Lower HP tractor you have in mind would struggle to run a discbine in tall grass or uphill.
You also have to figure age will start playing havoc on your shoulders stacking small bales, so a higher HP heavier used tractor will be able to pull a round baler or a small bale accumulator.
I have big shoulders, but my labrums are torn in both.

Since I don’t know what bale you want to make, I can’t help much more. I used EZ Trail bale baskets and a small baler and a NH 4x5 round baler.
Now I do rounds and big squares. No more little bales.

 

[zeroforhire]

Iirc Jordon has(or had) a implement ‘loaner’ program which I found very interesting when I was contemplating my tractor purchase. They were in my final down select and if not for the screaming deal I got on my LS- I’d have likely bought from them.

Sent you a message

 

[zeroforhire]

You can do it that way, but in my experience, go more well used on the tractor. If possible get a real good baler. That’s the piece that’s hardest to get fixed quick when it breaks and the hay is just right for baling and rain is a few hours away. :laughing:
Rakes and tedders are cheap/easy to fix, unless you have a teenage son who likes to wrap them around trees.
The Lower HP tractor you have in mind would struggle to run a discbine in tall grass or uphill.
You also have to figure age will start playing havoc on your shoulders stacking small bales, so a higher HP heavier used tractor will be able to pull a round baler or a small bale accumulator.
I have big shoulders, but my labrums are torn in both.

Since I don’t know what bale you want to make, I can’t help much more. I used EZ Trail bale baskets and a small baler and a NH 4x5 round baler.
Now I do rounds and big squares. No more little bales.

that makes perfect sense. Thanks

 

[Jchonline]

Kioti hands down. Why buy a rebranded machine? Parts will be tougher to funnel through Kioti to Bobcat, etc. Bobcat has tried before and failed. There is no reason to believe they will be successful this time.

There is no reason to get a 10 ft baler if you have 5 acres of land. That is a huge waste of $$ unless you are bailing other properties.