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Hay, Forage & Livestock EquipmentSmall-Scale Hay Equipment Setup
You do not need a full line of big machines to make hay on a few acres. A thoughtful setup, with some work shared or hired out, can feed a small herd without a huge investment.
Key points
- Start with a tractor that fits your tools, and hire or share the costly pieces.
- Choose bale type based on your animals, storage and lifting equipment.
- Store hay under cover and keep it away from buildings you care about.
- Use ROPS, seat belts and shields every time.
- Add equipment one piece at a time as the numbers justify it.
What equipment do you need to make hay?
Hay needs cutting, drying, raking and baling, then moving and storing. That means a mower, a rake, a baler and a way to move bales, plus a tractor with the right power and hitch. A tedder to speed drying is optional.
On small acreage, you do not have to own every piece. Many people own a mower and rake and hire someone to bale.
Think of the whole chain. A good mower with a poor rake or an undersized baler leaves you with hay that dries unevenly or never gets baled at the right moisture. Plan every link together.
How do you size equipment to a few acres?
A 5-acre homestead with a few animals needs far less than a 30-acre hay field producer. Look at your yearly feed need, the number of cuttings your region allows and the yield from your ground. Ask your extension office for realistic figures for your area rather than guessing.
Pick machines that match your tractor. Check your operator's manual for PTO speed, power and hitch category, and ask the dealer to confirm that each implement fits.
- Mower: sickle, disc or drum style.
- Rake: wheel rake or basket rake for small fields.
- Baler: small square, round or hire out.
- Tractor: right hitch and PTO for each tool.
Should you buy, rent, share or hire?
Balers are the costliest piece, and they sit idle most of the year. Hiring a custom baler can make more sense than buying. Sharing a baler with a neighbor works if you can agree on timing, since everyone needs hay at the same weather window.
If you buy used, follow a used-equipment checklist and have a mechanic inspect the machine. Talk to your lender and accountant before you commit. Terms and tax rules vary.
Whatever you choose, ask what the work will cost per bale and compare that to buying hay. Consider your time, fuel and repairs as well as the purchase price.
What are the options for small bales and round bales?
Small square bales are easy to handle by hand and fit small barns and horse owners. They take more labor to bale and stack. Round bales are faster and suit cattle, but they are heavy and need a loader and a spear or a bale bed to move.
Think about your animals, your storage and your equipment. Do not make round bales if you cannot lift them safely.
If your animals are only a few horses, small squares may be right. If they are a few cattle, round bales and a spear on the tractor may be right.
Where do you store hay and equipment?
Hay stored under cover loses less than hay left out in the weather. A simple pole shed with good drainage helps. Keep hay away from the barn and stable buildings where possible, because heating hay can start a fire.
Store the equipment dry too. A tarp, a lean-to or a shed makes the difference between a machine that works next June and one that is rusted.
What safety basics apply to a small hay setup?
Use ROPS and the seat belt, keep PTO shields on and shut everything down before clearing jams. Do not let children ride on equipment or play near bales. Call 811 before digging, and watch for overhead lines.
Small operations often involve a single person working long hours. Tell someone where you are and take breaks.
Make a short plan for who helps and how, since hay work goes better with a second person on the ground.
How do you grow your setup over time?
Start with the piece that causes the biggest bottleneck, then add. Keep a log of what you spend and the hay you make, and compare it with the cost of buying hay or hiring custom work. Your extension office can help you decide when it is worth investing in more equipment.
Sources and further reading
- Penn State Extension
- University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
- USDA Farm Service Agency
- NIOSH Agricultural Safety
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.