gertman":3j32fv3s said:
It seems that quality hay gets more expensive and harder to find every year, so next year I'm considering baling my own. I'll have to buy everything (round baler, mower, tedder, and rake) any suggestions on what features or options you fellow cattlemen think are must haves on the above listed equipment.
I just bought a very good 2 year old vermeer rebel baler for $8000, I have been using the 8 wheel rake from vermeer for the last six years, have had to replace teeth. You should be able to pick up one of the rakes used for around $1000 to $1500. A lot of people really like the disc mowers, I am, still using a sickle mower. You can buy a good used sickle mower from $500 to $2000. The international 1300 or the new holland are both good mowers. Look for a 9 foot one. A friend gave me a New Holland mower conditioner model 488 it needed a little work. It will also do a good job. I cut rye grass and bermuda with it. It is a nine foot cut. My rake will rake two windrows together behind the conditioner. I really do not see any need for a tedder. Tedding hay is a step that is not necessary in my opinion. The tedder has only been in the USA for the last 15 to 20 years. All of the equipment listed above and owned by me can be run with a 45 to 50 HP tractor.