Haying equipment on a budget

If $500 is a fair exchange for 125-135 rolls of hay a year...then that is how it'll stay.

I'd advertise for someone to rent the land and take halves on the bales with a pre-arranged price per bale and commitment that the tenent wil buy all your hay from you.

Rule out a square baler because there is no such thing as help these days. About the only folks who buy squares anyway are horsey's and they are particular as hell. This is decent mixed hay, cattle don't seem too particular...like my dead uncle said...if they make a turd, they'll eat it....hehehe!

Tell me how much I should expect to pay for field ready, getter done equipment.

In regards to the 4 wheel rakes, I have one and think that it does a excelent job, many people don't like them but if you can get the hang of raking with one its not that bad. I've also used a v-wheel rake on a caddy and that's heck of a rake!

Kelly

Every brand has at least one good model, but all brands/models can be in BAD condition. I strongly sugest, buying used, that if you do not know what it should have, not have, or be able to identify worn, rotted, missing, bent, broken, parts and pieces, take someone with you who can.

Seriously, know what condition you are buying. If you don't take someone with you who does.

Example - I looked at many $2000 square balers that litterly couldn't be ran without fixing first and/or daily. I bought an old ford, under $100, and have ran 7000 bales through it with nothing but minor adjustments and simple repairs. Likewise, I have a friend that paid $10,000 for a dozer. Had no clue what he was buying. One look and I told myself it wouldn't last two weeks, it lasted ten days and the trans went. Is currently sitting in 5' of weeds. Same with his backhoe. The first time he went to dig a hole both the outriggers broke (rotted out). Seems to break down every time he uses it. He is footing the bill for the repairs and calling me for help. Just wish I could get him to involve me up front????? ???

KEH

No, I don't expect like new and cheap. But the scoop is, these 40 acres belong to my sister and she is getting raped by the guy baling for her. I told her we'd pick some equip. and do it ourselves. Would you like to have 40 acres of hay for $500 a year? Hehehehe! It doesn't justify buying $30,000 worth of equip., but getting some stuff sufficient for the job, would. Doesn't have to be the finest, mostest, bestest, fastest. Just reliable and able to do the job.

Bottom line is I know nothing of this stuff.....it has been 35 years since we last cut any hay on the homeplace and that was with an ancient JD #5 sickle and a '46 Oliver 60! We had a neighbor come and square bale it. I don't want anybody's junk and that is what prompted the inquiry. When it comes to 'deals' somebody else always gets them ahead of me....hehehe! But I wouldn't recognize a steal if it was put in front of me, concerning this equipment. I see lots of JD, NH and Vermeer rollers used around here. Most still using side delivery rakes. Never used a tedder in my life. Maybe just best to tell her to find a different person to cut and roll for her.