3pt Tedder????

Going over my fields with the fertilizer spreader yesterday and noticed new/fresh ground hog holes, in addition to the ones we've already got - dang!

I have found that with my JD350 hay rake if I set the position control such that the rake can only drop a few inches, these ground holes don't pound the rear wheels like a pull behind - be it a baler or trailer. My thinking is that I'd rather miss a bit of hay than bust a wheel assembly in a ground hog hole.

After yesterday's trip around the fields, given how flimsey these 2 basket tedders look to me - I'm thinking I might ought to consider a 3 pt tedder to minimize any potential damage via limiting the down travel of the tedder - like I describe for my rake above.

Another reason for considering a 3pt tedder is that it would be easy enough to raise and move across various terrain on the place to another field as well as pull into my shed with the tedder mounted - and back out easy enough. Probably not a good reason, but it just strikes me that a 3 pt piece of equipment is a little more difficult for a thief to hook to a truck hitch and make off with it vs a tow behind.

However....

From what I read - it sounds like most don't like a 3pt tedder.

Anyone like/use a 3 pt tedder?

Listening.

Thanks!
Bill

Bill, I had a NH rake tedder a few years back that I bought new. They're OK, I guess, but I have a Pequea now, and it has fairly big tires. It doesn't do bad over groundhog holes, it still digs in and lets you know you just hit something you didn't want to. But, I'd much rather have the trailing kind vs. the 3 pt.

I would be looking for woodchuck bombs before buying a tedder.

I would 2nd what Jim said, those darned things multiply rapidly. Good idea to reduce their population or mark the den sites with a stake, post, cone or something easily seen. I've run a tow behind tedder over quite a few acres, always wood chuck dens, but the holes and openings were not too deep, wide mouth or anything. It had small wide tires, I have posted photos of it before, I think in response to one of your posts, or a hay topic on this forum. Not sure how to reduce photos, (forgot LOL !) seems the site was doing it, prior to the last change, and I had done it way back when as the size was an issue and my old photos were re-sized if they were to be posted. I don't know what the difference would be comparing a 3 pt vs a draw bar pulled tedder. You have a late model JD if I recall, 2wd model if I am thinking correctly, so the position control ought to stay fixed. If it was an older tractor with 3 pt issues, that may be a problem even though the top link is fixed, it settles and you will be in the dirt. I know with the one I was using, just set the height relative to the ground/stubble and that's it, plug and play. It was actually a great way to get some seat time, being a relaxing kind of task. They do work well. I came from the side delivery rake, sickle mower to mower conditioner era, this tedder and the Kuhn rake that the farmer I used to help had, was new to me, really liked the tedder for the orchard and timothy hay grasses, even the fields heavy with clover, just have to get it before you knock all the leaves off by handling it so much.

I use a Kuhn GF22N

2 rotor 8' 6" 3pt.

Easy to transport, only have to lift the 3pt.

Set pitch with top link, no changes once set.

Ted hay and never get off tractor to adjust or fold anything.

Can be a minor nuisance to hitch (awkward) and you do have to lift when you turn, but that's hyd.

I've run a manual fold Kuhn 5001T 4 rotor in the past, you could ted a lot of hay with it, but was a pain to fold for transport and you had to set the pitch every time. If I had one here, it would stay in working position and I'd leave in the field rather than pulling it home each time (half the crop is in one spot)

I have a Kuhn 5000MH 3pt. tedder and I really like it. It is 4 star and hydraulic lift for the 2 outer stars. It has 4 of the bigger tires on it. There is also a lever on it to help on going around corners. I don't have to lift it. Woodchuck holes will always be a pain. I watch for them and slow down. It is also a lot nicer going down the road. Don't have to worry about it swaying behind the tractor as you go down the road. Only drawback is moving from field to field, have to use a tractor, but it isn't really a big deal to me.

I have used a Kuhn 4 star trailer for many years. I have wood chucks but you always find them when mowing, then you just watch for them and slow down when tedding. A fellow who used to work with me broke a pin on a leg once but he always went much faster than I do.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Very good info!

Bill