8 Tools for Making Hay on a Small-Scale Homestead

Standing in a waist-high field of sweet-smelling orchard grass, the dream of homestead self-sufficiency feels closer than ever. Yet, turning that lush pasture into high-quality winter forage without a massive investment in industrial tractors can feel like an insurmountable hurdle. With the right scale-appropriate tools, any small-scale landowner can successfully harvest, cure, and store premium hay by hand or with walk-behind machinery.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

The Challenges of Small-Scale Haymaking

Standard agricultural equipment is designed for sprawling acreage, leaving the small-scale homesteader in a difficult position. Massive tractors compact delicate pasture soils and cannot maneuver around tight orchard rows, garden borders, or steep slopes. Trying to hire a custom baling operator often fails because commercial crews prioritize large contracts over tiny, one-acre plots.

Consequently, homesteaders must master the art of micro-haymaking, which demands high physical labor or specialized walk-behind machinery. The window between cutting and baling is incredibly tight, often requiring just three days of perfect sunshine. Without the right tools to speed up drying and handle the crop efficiently, a sudden rainstorm can rot an entire season’s worth of livestock feed.

Two-Wheel Tractor – BCS 739 Power Unit

A walk-behind tractor serves as the mechanical heartbeat of a modern micro-homestead, replacing the need for a costly, full-sized utility tractor. It provides the mobile power source required to operate heavy-duty cutting, raking, and baling attachments across uneven terrain. Because it features a reversible handlebar, this single engine unit can power front-mount implements like mowers and rear-mount implements like tillers.

The BCS 739 Power Unit is the ideal choice for small-scale hay operations due to its robust all-gear drive transmission and automotive-style dry clutch. Unlike belt-driven alternatives, this machine delivers consistent torque to demanding attachments without slipping under heavy loads. It features a reliable Honda GX340 engine, three forward speeds, and three reverse speeds, allowing operators to match their pace to the density of the forage.

• Engine: Honda GX340 (approx. 10.7 HP)
• Transmission: Oil-bath all-gear drive
• Wheel size: 5.0" x 10" agricultural tires
• Compatible implements: Sickle mowers, belt rakes, mini-balers, snowblowers

Before buying, understand that this unit requires physical stamina to steer on slopes, especially when paired with heavy implements. It is perfect for homesteaders managing one to five acres who want one versatile machine for tillage, mowing, and haymaking. It is not suitable for those looking for a ride-on, low-effort mowing experience.

Sickle Bar Mower – BCS 30-Inch Attachment

Standard lawnmowers pulverize grass, destroying the long stems needed to build a stable hay bale that sheds water. A sickle bar mower acts like giant hedge trimmers, slicing the grass cleanly at the base so it falls in neat, unbroken swathes. This clean cut preserves the nutritional value of the stems and allows the forage to dry evenly on the ground.

The BCS 30-Inch Sickle Bar Mower excels because of its low-profile design and individually replaceable steel teeth. It glides under thick, tangled forage without clogging, cutting cleanly on both the forward and backward strokes of the blade. The 30-inch width is narrow enough to navigate tight orchard rows and fence lines while still covering ground quickly enough to beat incoming weather.

• Cutting Width: 30 inches
• Drive Mechanism: Oil-bath transmission (no belts)
• Blade Type: Heat-treated steel sections
• Best For: Thick field grasses, cover crops, and light brush

This attachment requires regular blade sharpening and careful adjustment of the skid shoes to avoid hitting hidden rocks. It is the ultimate cutting tool for homesteaders working on rough, uneven ground where a rotary mower would scalp the soil. However, it is not meant for clearing thick woody brush over an inch in diameter.

Hand Scythe – Falci 100 Italian Scythe

For operations under half an acre, or for harvesting steep banks where machinery cannot safely travel, a hand scythe is the ultimate low-impact tool. It allows a single operator to cut forage quietly and efficiently without burning fossil fuels or damaging soil structure. A well-balanced scythe cuts grass quickly through a rhythmic, sweeping motion that relies on technique rather than brute strength.

The Falci 100 Italian Scythe stands out because of its hand-forged, high-carbon steel blade and adjustable wooden snath. This light, elegant tool is manufactured in Italy using traditional methods, resulting in a blade that holds an incredibly sharp, paper-thin edge. The ergonomic dual-grip snath can be adjusted to the user’s height, reducing back strain during long hours in the field.

• Blade Length: 60cm to 85cm options
• Material: Forged high-carbon steel
• Maintenance: Requires regular peening (hammering) and whetstone honing
• Best For: Small plots, steep ditches, and quiet morning harvests

Using an Italian scythe comes with a steep learning curve; users must learn to peen the edge with a hammer and anvil to keep it thin. It is an excellent fit for the self-reliant homesteader who values hand tools and quiet work. It is not recommended for those who lack the patience to learn traditional blade maintenance.

Wooden Hay Rake – Seymour 854-18 Hand Rake

Once the hay is cut, it must be turned to dry and eventually gathered into long windrows for collection. A standard metal garden rake is too heavy, grabs the soil, and tears the delicate leaves off the drying stems. A traditional wooden rake glides over the stubble, gently gathering the forage without introducing dirt or stones into the winter feed.

The Seymour 854-18 Wooden Hay Rake is built specifically for this delicate task, featuring a lightweight ash handle and a wide, 18-tooth hardwood head. The cylindrical wooden teeth are designed to catch dry grass while sliding effortlessly over the cut stubble below. The wide head allows the operator to gather large volumes of loose hay with minimal passes, saving valuable time and energy.

• Head Width: 27 inches
• Tooth Count: 18 hardwood teeth
• Handle Material: 60-inch American ash
• Best For: Manual windrowing and gathering loose hay

Wooden teeth can snap if they catch on hidden roots or heavy rocks, though they are easily replaced with basic hand tools. This rake is a must-have for anyone managing a manual hay harvest or cleaning up after a mechanical baler. It is not suitable for heavy soil cultivation or clearing rocky land.

Belt Rake – Molon 120 Walk-Behind Tedder

On a larger homestead scale, raking and turning hay by hand becomes a bottleneck that risks crop spoilage. A belt rake attaches to a walk-behind tractor to perform two crucial tasks: tedding (fluffing the hay to let air circulate) and raking (gathering it into clean windrows). This mechanical assistance slashes drying times, ensuring the crop cures before the next rain cycle.

The Molon 120 Walk-Behind Tedder/Rake is the benchmark for small-scale mechanized haymaking. It features a dual-belt drive system equipped with flexible steel tines that gently lift and throw the grass rather than dragging it. By adjusting the front wheels and rear deflector, the operator can switch from a wide-spreading tedding action to a precise windrowing action in seconds.

• Working Width: 47 inches (120 cm)
• Tine Type: Double-prong flexible steel
• Compatibility: BCS 700-series tractors (8 HP and up)
• Functionality: Dual-mode (rake and tedder)

This unit is relatively wide and heavy, requiring a tractor with steering brakes for easy maneuvering at the end of rows. It is the perfect investment for homesteaders putting up one to three acres of hay who cannot afford to lose their crop to sudden summer showers. It is unnecessary for those harvesting less than a quarter-acre by hand.

Pitchfork – Ames 1821500 3-Tine Hay Fork

Moving loose hay from the field to a wagon, stack, or baler requires a tool designed to lift and throw high-volume, lightweight material. A standard garden spade or heavy manure fork is useless here, as they either drop the loose stems or cause immediate physical exhaustion. A dedicated hay fork uses long, springy tines to pierce and hold large bundles of dry forage with minimal effort.

The Ames 1821500 3-Tine Hay Fork features thin, oval-shaped steel tines that are specifically forged to slide into packed hay and release it cleanly. The flexible 48-inch ash handle provides excellent leverage, allowing the operator to lift loads high onto a wagon or stack without bending over. The head is securely connected with a heavy-duty steel ferrule, preventing the fork from wobbling under load.

• Tine Count: 3 sharp, forged steel tines
• Handle Length: 48 inches
• Connection: Steel ferrule with cap
• Best For: Pitching loose hay, building haystacks, and feeding livestock

The sharp tines are designed solely for dry, fibrous material and can easily bend if used to pry rocks, dig soil, or lift heavy wet manure. Every homestead making hay needs at least one high-quality three-tine fork for handling loose material. It is not a multi-purpose garden tool and should be stored safely out of high-traffic walkways.

Mini Baler – Abbriata M60 Mini Round Baler

Storing loose hay requires massive loft space and is highly susceptible to mold if air circulation is poor. Baling compresses the dried forage into compact, transportable packages that are easy to stack, count, and feed out over winter. For the small-scale farmer, a mini baler produces lightweight bales that can be easily handled by one person without heavy machinery.

The Abbriata M60 Mini Round Baler is a commercial-grade machine scaled down for walk-behind tractors, producing round bales that are roughly 16 inches wide and 22 inches in diameter. These mini round bales shed water naturally if left in the field and weigh a manageable 30 to 50 pounds. The machine uses a simple, reliable twine-binding system that is easy to service and adjust in the field.

• Bale Size: 16" x 22" (round)
• Bale Weight: 30 to 50 lbs (adjustable)
• Required Power: BCS tractor with 10 HP or more (BCS 740 or similar recommended)
• Output: Up to 50 bales per hour

This is a highly specialized, expensive piece of machinery that requires precise tractor speed adjustments and regular lubrication of its chain drives. It is the ultimate tool for the serious homestead producer looking to sell specialty hay or feed a small herd of goats or sheep. It is not economically viable for casual hobbyists harvesting minor garden plots.

Moisture Tester – Delmhorst F-2000 Meter

Guessing when hay is dry enough to bale is the most dangerous gamble a homesteader can make. If baled too wet, internal microbial activity will cause the bale to heat up, destroying nutritional value and potentially triggering spontaneous combustion. A digital moisture tester takes the guesswork out of the equation, providing instant, accurate readings of the internal moisture levels.

The Delmhorst F-2000 Meter is the gold standard for small-scale producers, featuring a rugged hand-held design and a sharp probe that penetrates deep into windrows or finished bales. It provides digital readings across a critical 8% to 40% moisture range, allowing farmers to monitor the curing process step-by-step. The meter automatically averages accumulated readings, giving a realistic picture of the entire field’s dryness.

• Probe Length: 10-inch or 18-inch options
• Accuracy: Within 1% in the critical storage range
• Power Source: 9V battery
• Display: Clear digital LCD

Users must calibrate the meter occasionally and ensure the probe tip is kept clean of sap and dirt to maintain accuracy. This tool is cheap insurance for any homesteader who stores hay inside a barn or wooden shed. It is not necessary for those who feed forage immediately as green chop without storing it.

How to Time Your Harvest Around the Weather

Successful haymaking is a high-stakes dance with the local weather forecast, requiring a minimum of three consecutive days of dry, sunny weather. The ideal window features low humidity, a gentle breeze, and high solar radiation to draw moisture out of the cut stems. Homesteaders should look for stable high-pressure systems and avoid cutting when there is a threat of dew-heavy mornings or sudden afternoon thunderstorms.

Timing the cut also depends heavily on the growth stage of the grass itself. To maximize nutritional value, cut the forage just as the seed heads begin to emerge but before they fully flower. Cutting too early results in low yields, while cutting too late yields coarse, straw-like hay that livestock will reject.

Best Practices for Curing Hay on the Ground

Once the crop is cut, the goal is to reduce moisture content from roughly 75% down to a safe storage level of under 15% as quickly as possible. Leaving the grass in dense, heavy swathes slows this process down, trapping moisture against the damp soil. Using a tedder or hand rake to spread the cut grass into a wide, loose blanket exposes the maximum surface area to the sun and wind.

Turn the hay at least once a day, preferably in the late morning after the dew has evaporated but before the sun reaches its peak. This prevents the top layer from becoming brittle and sun-bleached while the bottom remains green and damp. Gather the cured grass into tight, neat windrows just a few hours before baling to keep it clean and concentrated.

Safe Storage Methods to Prevent Barn Fires

Wet hay is a ticking time bomb; when moisture levels exceed 20%, aerobic bacteria multiply rapidly inside the bale, generating intense heat. If this heat cannot escape, internal temperatures can climb to over 150°F, leading to spontaneous chemical reactions that ignite the stack. To prevent this catastrophe, never stack bales that feel heavy, dense, or warm to the touch.

Store new bales in a well-ventilated barn on a raised floor of wooden pallets to prevent them from drawing moisture from the ground. Stack them with small air gaps between the rows, placing the cut edges of the bales facing down to encourage airflow. Monitor the internal temperature of the stack daily for the first six weeks using a compost thermometer or probe; any reading over 140°F requires immediate evacuation of the bales to an open outdoor space.

Transitioning to self-sufficient hay production on a small homestead is both a challenging art and a deeply rewarding science. By equipping yourself with the right balance of hand tools and specialized walk-behind machinery, you can secure high-quality feed for your animals while protecting your land. With patience, careful monitoring, and respect for the weather, your micro-harvest will keep your barn full and your livestock thriving all winter long.