6 Pieces of Equipment for Small-Scale Hay Baling

There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your own hay curing in the field, a golden promise of winter feed for your animals. But turning a lush field into dry, nutritious hay is a race against the weather, and success hinges entirely on having the right tools for the job. For the small-scale farmer, this doesn’t mean massive, expensive machinery; it means smart, appropriately-sized equipment that gets the job done efficiently.

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Making Quality Hay on a Small-Scale Farm

Making good hay is both an art and a science, a four-step dance with Mother Nature: cutting, curing, raking, and baling. The goal is simple: to cut grass or legumes at their nutritional peak and dry them to a moisture level of 15-20% before rain or excessive sun degrades their quality. Too wet, and you risk mold or, even worse, a barn fire from spontaneous combustion. Too dry, and the nutritious leaves shatter and turn to dust, leaving you with little more than straw.

On a small farm, your fields might be hilly, oddly shaped, or dotted with obstacles—conditions where massive commercial equipment is impractical or impossible to use. The challenge is to find machinery that is nimble enough for your acreage but robust enough to perform each critical step reliably. Your timeline is compressed, and a single broken-down machine can mean losing an entire cutting.

This is why your equipment choices are so crucial. Each piece, from the mower that makes the first cut to the spear that moves the final bale, must work in concert with your tractor and your land. Investing in the right-sized, reliable tools is an investment in self-sufficiency and the health of your livestock.

The Right Tractor for Your Hay Operation

Before you buy a single implement, you must have the right tractor. It is the heart of your entire haying system, and every other piece of equipment depends on it. For a small-scale operation, you don’t need a 100-horsepower beast; you need a compact or sub-compact utility tractor that is properly equipped for the work ahead.

The three most important specifications to consider are Power Take-Off (PTO) horsepower, three-point hitch lift capacity, and hydraulic remotes. The PTO drives the mower, tedder, and baler, and each implement has a minimum HP requirement. Always ensure your tractor’s PTO rating exceeds the implement’s needs by a healthy margin for safety and performance. The three-point hitch lifts and lowers the equipment, so its capacity must be sufficient for your heaviest attachment, which is often the baler.

Finally, hydraulic remotes—the ports on the back of the tractor that power hydraulic functions—are essential for operating modern balers, which use hydraulic cylinders to open and close the tailgate. A tractor without the right power and features is a frustrating bottleneck. Get the tractor right first, and the rest of the system will fall into place.

Sickle Bar Mower – BCS Duplex Mower Attachment

The first step in making hay is a clean, even cut. While disc mowers are fast, they can be aggressive, require more horsepower, and struggle on rough terrain. For small, uneven pastures, a sickle bar mower is a superior choice. It works like a giant pair of scissors, slicing stems cleanly at the base without pulverizing the grass, which allows for faster drying and less leaf loss.

The BCS Duplex Mower Attachment is an exceptional tool for the micro-farm or homestead. Designed for BCS two-wheel tractors, this double-blade system is incredibly efficient and low-vibration. Its design allows it to glide over bumpy ground and cut tough, dense forage without clogging. Because it lays the hay down gently in a full, fluffy swath, air circulates well from the start, kickstarting the curing process.

Keep in mind, this is an attachment for a walk-behind tractor, not a full-size one. Maintenance involves keeping the blades sharp and properly aligned, but the process is straightforward. This mower is perfect for someone with one to five acres, challenging terrain, or who already values the versatility of the BCS two-wheel tractor system. It is not, however, a high-speed solution for someone with 20 flat acres to cut in an afternoon.

Hay Tedder – Tar River T-200 Two-Rotor Tedder

After cutting, hay needs to be fluffed to ensure it dries evenly. This is the job of a tedder, an implement that gently lifts and spreads the cut hay, exposing the damp underside to sun and air. Skipping this step, especially in humid climates, is a recipe for moldy, inconsistent bales. A tedder can shave a full day or more off your drying time, which is often the difference between getting hay in the barn and watching it get rained on.

For a compact tractor, the Tar River T-200 Two-Rotor Tedder is an ideal match. Its simple, rugged design and 9-foot working width are perfect for small fields. With just two rotors, its PTO horsepower requirement is very low (around 18 HP), making it compatible with a wide range of smaller tractors. The T-200 spreads hay thoroughly without being overly aggressive, preserving the delicate, nutrient-rich leaves.

Using a tedder is simple, but technique matters. You must set the tine height correctly so it picks up the hay without digging into the dirt, which contaminates the forage. Because of its straightforward, mechanical nature, maintenance is minimal. This tool is a non-negotiable for anyone serious about making high-quality dry hay. If you live anywhere with unpredictable summer rain, a tedder is your best insurance policy.

Wheel Rake – Frontier WR1008 V-Wheel Rake

Once the hay is properly cured, you need to gather it into neat rows, or "windrows," for the baler to pick up. A wheel rake is the simplest and most reliable tool for this job on a small scale. Unlike PTO-driven rakes, wheel rakes are ground-driven—the forward motion of the tractor causes the wheels to spin and sweep the hay to the center. This means no extra demand on your PTO and fewer moving parts to break.

The Frontier WR1008 V-Wheel Rake is a fantastic choice for compact tractors. With eight wheels on a V-shaped frame, it efficiently gathers hay into a fluffy, uniform windrow. Its working width is adjustable, allowing you to create windrows perfectly sized for your baler’s pickup. The design is brilliantly simple, relying on physics rather than complex mechanics, which makes it both affordable and incredibly low-maintenance.

The main consideration with a wheel rake is that it can sometimes pull in rocks or debris if your field isn’t clean. It’s also important to match your ground speed to the hay conditions to create a smooth, even windrow without roping. The Frontier WR1008 is for the practical farmer who values reliability and simplicity over complexity. It’s a perfect companion for a compact tractor and a mini baler.

Mini Round Baler – Abbriata M60 Mini Round Baler

The baler is the final and most significant investment in your haying system. For small-scale operations, mini round balers are a game-changer. They create small, dense, weather-resistant bales (typically 40-60 lbs) that are easy to handle, transport, and store without heavy equipment. They also require significantly less tractor horsepower than their larger cousins.

The Abbriata M60 Mini Round Baler is an Italian-made machine renowned for its reliability and compatibility with low-horsepower tractors. It requires as little as 18 PTO HP and can be configured for either twine or net wrap. The M60 produces a tight, well-formed 2×2 foot bale that sheds water well if left in the field temporarily. Its simple, chain-driven, fixed-chamber design is easy to understand and maintain.

Operating a baler has a learning curve. You’ll need to learn how to drive to create an evenly shaped bale and how to monitor the machine’s sounds to know when things are working correctly. Your tractor will also need at least one set of rear hydraulic remotes to operate the tailgate. The Abbriata M60 is for the serious hobby farmer who is ready to take full control of their hay production. It’s a significant financial commitment, but it’s the key to true hay-making independence.

How to Ensure Your Hay is Properly Cured and Safe

Baling hay at the correct moisture level is the single most important factor for quality and safety. Hay baled too wet (above 20% moisture) will grow mold, making it unpalatable and even dangerous for livestock. Worse, the biological activity in damp hay generates immense heat, creating a very real risk of spontaneous combustion and barn fires. Hay that is too dry will lose its leaves during the baling process, resulting in a bale of low nutritional value.

The old-timer’s method of twisting a handful of hay to see if it’s brittle or cool to the touch has its place, but it’s not a substitute for objective data. The ideal moisture content for baling is between 15% and 18%. This narrow window requires a precise tool to measure moisture accurately from deep within the windrow, not just on the sun-baked surface.

Relying on guesswork is a gamble you can’t afford to lose. A single bad batch of hay can sicken your animals, and a smoldering bale can take your entire barn with it. Taking the time to test your hay before baling isn’t an extra step; it’s a fundamental part of the process.

Hay Moisture Meter – Agratronix HT-PRO Tester

A hay moisture meter is an inexpensive, essential tool that removes all guesswork from the curing process. It allows you to take precise readings from the densest part of the windrow, giving you the confidence to know exactly when it’s time to bale. This small device is your best defense against mold and fire.

The Agratronix HT-PRO Hay Moisture Tester is a reliable and easy-to-use choice. Its key feature is the 20-inch probe, which is long enough to reach the center of a windrow or a finished bale. It provides a direct digital readout of moisture content and includes a built-in calibration function to ensure its readings remain accurate over time. The backlit display is easy to read in any light, from bright sun to a dim barn.

There is no learning curve with this tool—you simply insert the probe and read the number. It should be used frequently as the baling window approaches, testing multiple spots in the field to get an average reading. The HT-PRO is for everyone who makes hay. It is not an optional accessory; it is a critical piece of safety equipment that pays for itself by protecting your feed, your animals, and your farm.

Bale Spear – Titan Attachments 49" Hay Spear

Once your mini round bales are made, you need a safe and efficient way to move them from the field to storage. While it might be tempting to use your tractor’s bucket, this is unstable, inefficient, and can damage the bales. A dedicated bale spear is the proper tool for the job, allowing you to securely lift and move bales without compromising their shape or your safety.

The Titan Attachments 49" Hay Spear is a robust and affordable option that fits most modern compact tractors. It features a universal skid steer quick attach mount, making it easy to connect and disconnect from your front-end loader. The main 49-inch spear is forged for strength, and two smaller stabilizer spears prevent the bale from rotating during transport. This setup provides a secure, stable lift every time.

Before purchasing, confirm your tractor loader’s lift capacity is sufficient for the weight of your bales. While mini round bales are light, you still need to operate within your machine’s limits. This spear is for anyone with a front-end loader making round bales of any size. It transforms moving hay from a clumsy, potentially dangerous chore into a quick, one-person task.

Best Practices for Storing Your Hay Bales

Your work isn’t done when the last bale leaves the field. Proper storage is essential to protect the quality and nutritional value you worked so hard to create. The enemies of stored hay are moisture, poor ventilation, and direct sunlight. Storing hay directly on the ground, even inside a barn, is a mistake, as ground moisture will wick up into the bottom layer of bales and cause them to mold.

Always store hay on a raised, dry surface. A layer of wooden pallets is an excellent and inexpensive solution, as it allows air to circulate underneath the bales. If storing in a loft or stack, arrange the bales with small gaps between them to encourage airflow and allow any residual moisture to escape. If you have a traditional barn with a haymow, a simple hay elevator can save your back when it’s time to load the loft.

For outdoor storage, which should only be a short-term solution, arrange the bales in a single row on a well-drained spot and cover them securely with a high-quality tarp. Ensure the tarp is tightly secured to prevent wind from getting underneath and trapping moisture. Protecting your finished bales is the final step in ensuring your animals have safe, quality feed all winter long.

Final Thoughts on Your Small-Scale Hay Investment

Assembling a complete set of haying equipment is a significant investment of both time and money. It can be tempting to cut corners or try to get by with inadequate tools. However, each piece of equipment—from the mower to the moisture meter—plays a critical role in a system where the failure of one component can jeopardize the entire harvest.

Think of this equipment not as an expense, but as an investment in control, quality, and self-sufficiency. By making your own hay, you are no longer subject to the fluctuating prices and uncertain quality of the commercial market. You know exactly what is in your feed and can ensure it was harvested at its peak and stored safely for your animals.

The right-sized tools empower you to work in harmony with your land and the weather, turning what seems like a daunting task into a manageable and deeply rewarding part of the farming cycle. With a reliable system in place, you can look forward to a barn full of sweet-smelling, high-quality hay that you produced yourself.

Making your own hay is a cornerstone of small-farm independence, giving you complete control over your animals’ nutrition. While it requires a dedicated set of tools, choosing the right equipment for your scale transforms this challenging process into a manageable and satisfying endeavor. With this system, you’re not just buying machinery; you’re investing in the health and sustainability of your farm.