Tedder opinions

[Robert_in_NY]

I hope I'm not too late in this but have used both two and four basket tedders and understand the problem since I faced it as well. I learned to drive in different places in the row and it spreads the crop differently and more evenly. Pto speed matters too.
The difference on 10,000 bales in time spent makes a four basket a joy for me. The two basket took forever. My vote would be for four basket and learn to like it.

I think I understand your guys problems with the four basket tedder. The tedders are usually 17' wide so basically they are designed for two swaths from a 9' cutter. If you are using a smaller cutter then I can see why you are having problems. One way to deal with this is to lay the swath wide and flat and don't ted just two rows, ted the full width of the tedder.

 

[jimg]

I own a 4 basket tedder (Tonutti GT500) and 7' moco (MF725) and Ive not had any issues. As Robert suggested I do swath to the widest possible degree..but not to accommodate the tedder as much as to get the drying action earlier. It takes me quite a while to mow my biggest field and in that time more drying occurs in a swath than windrow. Anyway, I can engage 2 swaths w/ the tedder and a 4 basket does make the job MUCH faster. The only real problems Ive run into are evenly spreading out slugs left by the mower. In those spots I wind up running over it a couple times.

One subject I dont think thats been mentioned is where to engage the row/swath w/ the tedder. I read that the basket should hit the row/swath head on. I did experiment quite a bit this spring and found I got best results when the swath fed in between the baskets. As was also mentioned PTO speed makes a big diff esp on the first pass.

On a related note Id be interested to know who rakes daily to prevent dew wetting? This spring I made hay both ways and my unscientific conclusion is that raking gives a better result. Just curious to hear other views about it.

 

[Grrrr]

On a related note Id be interested to know who rakes daily to prevent dew wetting? This spring I made hay both ways and my unscientific conclusion is that raking gives a better result. Just curious to hear other views about it.

You mean like putting them into rows before nightfall?

I've tried it and it was too much of a nuisance to do and I didn't have time to do it with all the rest of the tedding.

We also don't get that much dew here in the summer.

 

[HayDR]

Renze:

I wonder if you have ever seen this tedder in Europe?

 

[Renze]

Renze:

I wonder if you have ever seen this tedder in Europe?

No, in Europe all of these tedders are 3pt hitch. The brand isnt familiar either. Is it a Tonutti ?
Only the wheel rakes of Tonutti are sold in Holland.
There are some trailed tedders, but those mostly have an extra set of carrying wheels mounted on an arch, to give it enough ground clearance.

Fella (Germany) has a 10 basket tedder which has hydraulic lift on each individual wheel. It doesnt fold up, but the elements all fold to the back, so a 40 hp tractor can move it. It looks kinda funny, a small old tractor with 2 rows of 5 baskets behind it.

 

[Grrrr]

In the UK, we have loads of vareities of these old things:

Known as Fahr Centipedes, badge engineered lots of times.

The were some versions with more baskets, some with TPH mount etc etc.

They all share one common factor, they are a bugger to fold up.

 

[MFRED]

That picture of that Fahr just sent shivers down my spine. I'm glad tedders have improved since then.

 

[jimg]

You mean like putting them into rows before nightfall?

I've tried it and it was too much of a nuisance to do and I didn't have time to do it with all the rest of the tedding.

We also don't get that much dew here in the summer.

Yes, thats right. In my area esp since Im very near a large river we can get some pretty heavy fog. Yes, its a nuisance BUT I thought it was of benefit.

 

[aczlan]

In the UK, we have loads of vareities of these old things:

Known as Fahr Centipedes, badge engineered lots of times.
The were some versions with more baskets, some with TPH mount etc etc.
They all share one common factor, they are a bugger to fold up.

we have one of those here in upstate NY, we blew a wheel last week and the dealership wants ~$220 for the wheel, bearing, tire and tire.

ouch.


Aaron Z

 

[CCP]

Haven't been here in a bit, my mom passed away and then we've been busy with hay, finally got a break in weather here.

Grrr, those tedders are similiar to what I, now you guys no my frustration. Not bad when in a wide open, rock free field, but, when in a battle field, as I call a couple of them, they are a pain.

CCI, my husband tried to talk to someone at your business regarding drum mowers. His disc mower broke yet again. I think this is the 3rd time he has rebuilt it. Anyway, not sure who he spoke to but I think there was a misunderstanding about what he was looking for.