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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Hay moisture meter.

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doug in illinoi

12-29-2007 17:25:37




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I have always just baled hay by feeling/twisting several places in the windrow to see if I thought it was ready, then examining a few bales after I started baling. No alfalfa here yet, just grass mix. Have sometimes baled hay that actually is a little too dry, not wanting to take a chance on horse quality hay. Also have one small patch down in a shaded meadow that drives me about half crazy trying to get it baled, the hay really feels about the same, but need to be bale to take moisture samples off this patch in particular. There are some two prong grain sample meters on ebay claim to work for hay also. The $100 or so would be worth it if I can get it baled one day sooner, I work full time and farm after work. Have had hay I think is almost ready, but afraid to bale, end up getting rained on for a week. Can't always haul the baler 20 miles to find out it is indeed a little too damp. The moisture meter is worth it if I can save a day on drying. I also have a mower-conditioner going into this hay season, all last years hay was sickle bar and raked. MO-CO hay, from my experience, dries much faster than the sickled. Any recommendations as to meters? DOUG

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JT

12-31-2007 14:14:16




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 Re: Hay moisture meter. in reply to doug in illinois, 12-29-2007 17:25:37  
Doug,
Gemplers has 4, 1-Delmhorst and 3 FARMEX brand ranging from 215.00 to 325.00, but their prices seem a little out of line out of times, but it is a place to get some info and compare them. www.gemplers.com
Jim



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kidbob

12-30-2007 21:26:51




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 Re: Hay moisture meter. in reply to doug in illinois, 12-29-2007 17:25:37  
Delmhorst has been making high quality moiture testers of many types for years. I first sold their in the field hay testers about 30 years ago. They are quick and simple to use.



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hayray

12-30-2007 06:20:02




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 Re: Hay moisture meter. in reply to doug in illinois, 12-29-2007 17:25:37  
I have a Farm-Trek hay moisture meter. It has a meter connected to a probe that you stab into the bale. I bought one a few years ago after having to go back to customers and replace hay that did not cure right, the old twisting the hay stems a few times was not enough assurance for me. The meter gives me a lot more confidence and was well worth the money. The couple of times I had to go and replace several hundred bales cost me a lot of money. I think I paid around $175. There is also a company called Delmhorst or something like that.

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TomH in PA

12-30-2007 05:59:09




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 Re: Hay moisture meter. in reply to doug in illinois, 12-29-2007 17:25:37  
Cheaper alternative if you have a microwave handy:



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RickL

12-30-2007 04:42:17




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 Re: Hay moisture meter. in reply to doug in illinois, 12-29-2007 17:25:37  
been there done that for the testers. Alot of them will not test mixes. Alfalfa only. read the fine print. mow co will maybe gain you a day,don't get your hopes up there. trying to bale hay after working another job in evenings and weekends is really tough to do and have quality hay. Especially if you are selling it. I have no tester as of date now. went thru several and really had no real answers from using them. They read horrible out of the windrow thats for sure. Looking at installing unit in my balers but really niot sure on that either.

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e

12-29-2007 17:37:57




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 Re: Hay moisture meter. in reply to doug in illinois, 12-29-2007 17:25:37  
Just a thought.....maybe you should also look into an acid applicator for your baler. You'll find that you will still have border line hay with the meter, but you'll then have some way of dealing with it.



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