Guide to Hay Production Equipment

Hay production is one of the many areas where modern farming technology has done away with a lot of backbreaking, tedious labor. Specialized equipment for hay production is a worthwhile investment whether you’re making hay for your own livestock or selling hay for profit. Small family farms and large industrial operations can both benefit from these time-saving technologies to make quick work of producing high-quality hay bales. Read on to learn about the various kinds of hay production equipment available.

Shopping for farm equipment in Kansas? Visit your nearest PrairieLands Partners location and ask our qualified staff to help you find a machine with all the features you need. We have great deals on new and used equipment, and expert technicians on hand for all your servicing needs.

Hay Mowers

Hay mowers are harvesting tools that attach to your compact or subcompact tractor’s 3-point hitch. There are three main types of hay mowers suited to different purposes.

Sickle Bar Mowers are used both for hay and general mowing. This tool features triangular blades that move back and forth to cut down vegetation. Sickle bar mowers are lightweight, need less horsepower than other tools, and their low movement generates less dust than other mowers. However, they’re slower and more prone to clogging than other mowers.

Disc Mowers feature small discs mounted to a cutter bar that skims along the ground, controlling the cutting height. They’re faster than sickle bar mowers, but also heavier, requiring a more robust tractor equipped with hydraulics.

Drum Mowers are the heaviest option, using cylinders that counter-rotate with blades attached to a disc on the bottom. These strong, durable mowers can cut through thick vegetation without the need for hydraulics.

Hay Tedders

Turning hay is essential for proper drying. The hay tedder takes care of this tedious process with the use of spinning tines that catch the loose hay and toss it out the back. This technique avoids the clumping that can occur when rakes are used for this process. Hay tedders are particularly handy in wet climates, being able to turn rain-soaked hay with ease. They don’t require a lot of horsepower to operate, and they’re easy to transport.

Hay Rakes

This is another tool with three main options available. Your choice of hay rake is going to primarily depend on your location.

Wheel Rakes are simple, fast, and productive, requiring little adjustment. The trade-off is lower quality hay, as hay will not dry as completely when raked with a wheel rake. This may not be as much of a concern for farmers in dry climates, but it’s also worth noting that their low-lying design can cause wheel rakes to collect dirt and small stones along with your hay. Wheel rakes aren’t going to be the tool of choice for selling premium hay. 

Rotary Rakes are designed to reduce leaf loss while making uniform windrows. Their tines don’t contact the ground, so you’re going to get cleaner hay with a rotary rake. Rotary rakes can handle wet, heavy hay just as well as dry hay. They also have the advantage of being highly maneuverable and well-suited for working on sloped ground.

Belt Rakes are versatile, compact, and can be used with your tractor in reverse, making them ideal for raking in tight spaces. They deliver fluffy, consistent windows, and they’re capable of handling both wet and dry hay. They’re also lightweight and portable, coming in a variety of sizes.

Hay Balers

Your choice of hay baler will depend in part on the type of tractor you have—to use a big baler, you’ll need more size and horsepower. Bailers are also divided into two main categories based on the shape of the bales they produce.

Round Balers roll your hay in a round chamber until it reaches the fixed size, then tie the bale with twine or net. Round bales have the advantage of being easy to move—just roll them straight into the barn.

Square Balers function the same way, except the hay is formed into blocks. These tend to be faster and more powerful machines, requiring tractors with higher horsepower. Many farmers prefer square bales for being easier to handle and stack.

Round balers and square balers vary in popularity between different regions, so you might want to consider choosing the kind of baler that’s more prevalent in your area.

We hope this guide helps you narrow down your options and select the right equipment for your farm. If you have any questions, head to PrairieLand Partners and speak with our staff. We have convenient locations all over Kansas.