What I would call heavy hay 100 bales ( small square 14 x 18 inch) per acre weighing 70 to 80 pounds each (first cutting, maybe 25 to 50 bales or more in the supplemental cuttings) or more I think I would want 60 to 70 PTO horsepower. Next thing you have to do is figure out how much you want to spend. A tractor with live or independent PTO, diesel, wide front axle (not a tricycle), high flow hydraulics with 2 remote valves is what you should be thinking about. If you are not locked into a certain make or model and don't mind something 30, 40 years in age or more a lot is there in the 5000 dollar range give or take. Remember, the older they are, the more service issues that will tend to follow. Start talking 25 years or newer will start putting you in the 8 to 10 thousand dollar range give or take. Cab with AC add another 3000 or so. A lower houred machine will bring a premium so add a few thousand more. If I could swing it I would consider something on the order of a John Deere 2550, 2555, 2750 or 2755 with factory cab (Sound-Gard cab), dual speed PTO, and HI-LO. A non 4 wheel drive version probably could be found in the 12 to 15 thousand dollar range. I would keep the Ford for a raking and light chore tractor if finances allow. The other posters have addressed most of the issues with power requirements and possible future acquisitions.
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Today's Featured Article - Madison's County - by Anthony West. Philip Madison has been a good friend of mine for quite some time. He has patiently suffered my incessant chit chat on the subject of tractors for longer than I care to remember, and on many occasions he has put himself out, dropped what ever it was he was doing, to come and lend a hand cranking handles, or loading a find onto a trailer. Although he himself has never actually owned or restored a tractor, he was always enthusiastic and always around helping with other peoples projects.
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