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Haymaking follows several important steps, including cutting, raking, and baling hay.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’re ready to update your existing equipment, Agriteer can guide you through the process with equipment to meet your needs. The wide selection includes equipment for cutting hay, such as mowers and mower conditioners; tedders and equipment used for drying hay; hay rakes; round and square balers; and equipment used for moving and handling hay.

With all the innovations in the field of hay farming, you’ll want to know the factors involved in choosing the right equipment for your farm.

 

Types of Hay Cutting Equipment

Once your hay is grown, the next step is cutting. You have several options for cutting hay, and your choice depends on your needs.

Swathers

A swather cuts down the hay and lays it in neat rows for the baler to collect. These hay cutting machines can be self-propelled or attached to your tractor. Some farmers prefer swathers instead of mowers because swathers can eliminate the need to rake the hay into rows after it has been cut.

 

Types of Hay Mowers

There are three common types of mowers for cutting hay. Mowers are typically pulled by or attached to a tractor.

Sickle Bar Mowers

• Lightweight
• Good for subcompact and compact tractors
• Can mow in angled lines
• Highly versatile

Disc Mowers

• Can easily handle thick hay at high speeds.
• Larger models require more tractor horsepower due to their size.

Drum Mowers

• Can handle thick hay at high speeds.
• A durable mower option.
• Available in different drive configurations.

 

Types of Hay Rakes

If you opt for a mower, a hay rake may be needed to gather the cut hay into rows for baling. The three types of tractor rakes include:

• Wheel Rakes: Least expensive, easy to use, and easy to repair.
• Rotary Rakes: Gentle on crops and can be used in a variety of crop conditions.
• Belt Rakes: Lightweight, can be used with many types of tractors, and some models can be converted to a tedder.

 

Hay Tedders: Equipment for Drying Hay

Once your hay is cut, you can allow it to dry in the field. When the weather is humid or damp, you may need a tedder to stir up the hay and help it dry when the sun is out. There are basically two kinds of tedders:

• Heavy-Duty Tedders: For frequent tedding and larger farms.
• Light-Duty Tedders: For small farms or infrequent tedding.

Tedders are typically towed behind tractors, so be sure your tractor can support the tedder. Some rakes can also be used as tedders, eliminating the need for a separate tedder.

 

Types of Hay Balers: Square vs. Round Bales

After hay is cut and dry, the next step is to put it into bales. You can choose from square bales or round bales.

Square Bales

These are the rectangular bales you see on hayrides and in horse feeding areas.

• They are popular for feeding horses and other livestock.
• Smaller square bales are easier for an able-bodied person to lift.
• They are easy to stack onto trailers or trucks.
• They are easy to store and use for many purposes.

Round Bales

These are the large round bales often seen in fields after harvest.

• They can be stored in the field, although protection from moisture helps preserve hay quality.
• They are heavy, often weighing hundreds of pounds.
• They generally need to be moved with a large tractor or heavy-duty equipment.
• They can provide larger quantities of hay for feeding livestock.
• They can be useful for operations feeding larger numbers of cattle

Equipment for Transporting and Handling Hay

Once you have harvested and baled your hay, you need to transport it. Two equipment options for handling and transporting hay bales include:

Bale Accumulators

• This equipment can be used behind a baler or with other equipment to collect and group bales.
• Once the bales are grouped, they can be picked up and transported for storage.

Stack Wagons

• Also known as bale wagons.
• These wagons are used to collect and transport hay bales.
• Depending on the model, they may be pulled by a tractor or be self-propelled.
• Bales can be loaded onto the wagon and transported to a storage location.

 

Find New and Used Hay Equipment at Agriteer

For cutting, tedding, baling, and transporting, Agriteer has the equipment you need to get the job done. Agriteer offers new and used hay equipment that ranges from haying equipment for small tractors to self-propelled equipment for large farms.
To learn more about Agriteer and how they can assist you with your farm equipment and service needs, contact Agriteer.