Hay Business Equipment Requirements

Making hay is a chain of machines, and the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. A good mower with a bad baler still leaves you with hay on the ground when the rain comes.

Key points

Hay making is a chain: size and balance all the machines, not just one.
Check PTO speed, hitch and tractor capacity before buying implements.
Shut off, remove the key and wait before clearing any jam.
Plan storage as part of the equipment list.

What machines are in a basic hay-making setup?

The core sequence is cutting, conditioning, drying, raking, baling, moving and storing. Each step needs equipment, and each depends on the one before it. The tractor has to power all of them, so size it for the heaviest implement.

A 30-acre field for a small operation needs a different kit than a ranch putting up hay for several hundred head. Match your equipment to your acreage and to how fast you must move when the weather window opens.

Hay quality depends on timing, and timing depends on equipment that is ready on the day. A breakdown during a three-day dry window can cost more than the repair itself.

Tractor sized for your implements and PTO needs
Mower or mower-conditioner
Tedder, if you want faster drying
Rake to form windrows
Baler: round, small square or large square
Equipment to move and stack bales
Covered storage or a plan for protecting bales

How do you choose between baler types?

Round balers are common on beef and larger operations because bales can be moved with a loader and left outdoors if needed. Small square balers produce hand-friendly bales that horse owners and small farms often like. Large squares are efficient for high volume and for hauling, but need heavy equipment.

Think about who will buy or use the hay and what your handling equipment can lift. A baler that makes bales you cannot move is a bad choice.

A beef producer feeding round bales through winter may favor round balers, while a horse barn buying forty bales at a time may want small squares. Ask your customers what they want before you commit to a baler type.

What size tractor does a hay operation need?

The answer depends on the largest implement you will run. Check the implement manual for its PTO and hitch requirements, and check your tractor's manual for what it can safely handle. Do not guess, and do not run implements the tractor cannot control on slopes.

PTO speeds are commonly 540 and 1000 rpm, and implements are built for one or the other. Make sure the tractor's PTO matches the implement before you buy.

What should you check on used hay equipment?

Used mowers, rakes and balers can save money, but they hide problems. Inspect them closely, and bring someone who knows the machine if you can.

Ask to see it work if possible, and check the wear parts.

Before buying a baler, ask the dealer service department what parts and service are available in your area. A machine that is hard to repair locally costs more than its price suggests.

PTO shields and guards present and intact
Knives, teeth, tines and belts for wear
Bearings and gearboxes for noise, play and leaks
Hydraulic hoses for cracks and weeping
Tires and wheels
Condition of the baler's chamber, belts or chains
Maintenance records and age

How do you keep hay equipment safe to operate?

Hay machinery causes serious injuries every year, mostly from entanglement and from clearing jams. Always shut off the engine, remove the key and wait for all moving parts to stop before touching a clogged mower, rake or baler. Never remove PTO shields or guards.

Use the seat belt with ROPS, and avoid working steep slopes with heavy loaded implements. Follow the operator's manual and guidance from NIOSH and your extension service.

How do you store hay and protect your investment?

Storage is part of the equipment list. Hay left in the weather loses quality, and wet hay can heat and become a fire risk. Plan a covered area, good drainage under outdoor bales and enough spacing for air movement.

Keep storage away from other buildings when you can, and ask your insurance agent about fire coverage for stored hay. Your extension service has storage guidance for your region.

Cover bales well, and note that sealed plastic can trap moisture if the hay was baled too damp. Your extension service can explain moisture limits for your type of hay.

When should you hire instead of buying a full hay line?

A full set of hay equipment is a large investment. For a small acreage, hiring a custom operator or sharing equipment with neighbors may make more sense than owning a baler used a few days a year.

Run your cost per hour and compare it with custom rates in your area. A lender and an accountant can help if you decide to finance a purchase.

When to get help: Ask the dealer service department or a qualified mechanic to inspect used balers and gearboxes, and ask your extension office about hay storage and quality in your region. Talk to your insurance agent about coverage for stored hay.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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