8 Pieces of Equipment for Haying Season on a Small Farm

Standing at the edge of a five-acre pasture as summer heat peaks, watching orchard grass head out while scanning a tight three-day weather window, defines the urgency of hay season. Making clean, mold-free bales on a small acreage is a precise race against humidity, ground moisture, and mechanical breakdowns. Equipping a small farm with the right sized, dependable machinery turns what could be a chaotic gamble into a smooth, predictable harvest.

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Essential Planning Steps for Small Acreage Haying

Before cutting a single stem of grass, match tractor horsepower and hydraulic output directly to the planned implement lineup. A utility tractor in the 35 to 50 horsepower range serves as the workhorse for small-scale hay operations, balancing low soil compaction with enough PTO power to run compact mowers and square balers. Operating undersized equipment leads to bogged engines and uneven windrows, while oversized machinery damages tight field corners and jacks up maintenance overhead.

Watch long-range barometric trends and relative humidity rather than simple rain percentages. Quality hay requires three consecutive days of warm, low-humidity weather with steady air movement to cure down to safe packaging levels. Cutting too early on damp soil draws ground moisture up into the swath, whereas cutting too late risks running into sudden afternoon pop-up storms.

Establish your field access and storage staging before the first swath falls. Clear barn alleyways, stage dry wooden pallets across storage floors, and verify that gates provide ample clearance for wide rake frames and trailers. Smooth transit paths between the field and the barn reduce transit time when dark clouds appear on the horizon.

Drum Mower – Galfre 170 Compact Drum Mower

Mowing sets the pace for the entire curing cycle by laying down a clean, evenly sliced cut without crushing delicate plant stems into the soil. Sickle bar mowers frequently jam in thick, lodged grass, while disc mowers demand significant horsepower and expensive modular repairs. Drum mowers solve these bottlenecks by using simple, top-driven gearboxes that spin twin heavy-duty drums, gliding over rough ground effortlessly.

The Galfre 170 Compact Drum Mower is built specifically for compact and utility tractors, cutting a clean 5-foot-7-inch path with minimal mechanical complication. Key specifications and build features include:

• PTO Power Requirement: Minimum 35 PTO horsepower with Category 1 or 2 three-point hitch
• Cutting Mechanism: Two counter-rotating drums equipped with three reversible, free-swinging knives each
• Drive System: Heavy-duty V-belts that slip under extreme impact, protecting internal tractor gearing

Replacing worn blades requires only a quick lever tool release, making field maintenance fast and inexpensive. The mower carries significant right-side weight during transport and operation, requiring adequate front tractor ballast and cautious cornering on hillside terrain.

This unit is ideal for hobby farmers managing 5 to 25 acres of dense, mixed grasses or legume stands who need bulletproof cutting reliability. It is not suitable for sub-compact tractors under 30 horsepower due to the rear lift capacity needed during transport mode.

Hay Tedder – Sitrex 2GL-302 Compact Pull Tedder

In humid regions, cut forage dropped flat on the ground traps residual soil moisture underneath, drastically slowing the dry-down process. A tedder lifts the damp mat of green grass, spreading it into a fluffy, aerated blanket that allows sunlight and wind to penetrate all layers evenly. Skipping this step often adds an entire day to field curing time, elevating the risk of rain damage.

The Sitrex 2GL-302 Compact Pull Tedder utilizes two spinning rotors with flexible steel spring tines to gently invert heavy forage across a 10-foot working width. Its enclosed, oil-bath commercial gearbox provides longevity, while the pull-type drawbar setup means even low-horsepower tractors can pull it without taxing the hydraulic lift system. The low power draw requires only 15 to 20 PTO horsepower, making it an easy match for almost any small farm tractor.

Operating speed dictates forage quality when running a tedder. Spin the PTO at moderate engine RPMs to loft the grass gently; running too fast shatters protein-rich leaves on clover and alfalfa, leaving only coarse stems behind.

This pull tedder fits small-acreage operators working against tight, humid drying windows who need to shave 12 to 24 hours off curing time. It is largely unnecessary for farmers working in arid, semi-desert regions where wind and intense sun dry forage within forty-eight hours naturally.

Rotary Hay Rake – Kuhn GA 300 GM Single-Rotor Rake

Once hay cures to target moisture, it must be gathered into uniform, structurally sound windrows that match the baler pickup width. Wheel rakes tend to roll hay across the soil surface, incorporating dirt, stones, and ash into the crop. A single-rotor rake lifts the hay gently off the stubble, rolling it sideways into a loose, breathable box-shaped windrow without soil contamination.

The Kuhn GA 300 GM Single-Rotor Rake delivers clean windrows across an adjustable 10-foot-6-inch working width. Notable operating features include:

• Gearbox: Fully enclosed Masterdrive gearbox designed to handle heavy crop volume without gear lash
• Tine Action: Cam-track-guided tine arms that lift vertically at the windrow curtain to preserve stem structure
• Ground Following: Pivoting three-point headstock with dual pneumatic balloon tires that ride smoothly over ruts

Adjusting rake height is critical for clean operation. Set the tines so they clear the ground by roughly one-half inch; running tines directly into the dirt damages the spring steel and introduces debris into livestock feed.

This implement is the right choice for growers dedicated to producing clean, high-grade horse or dairy goat hay on 5 to 30 acres. It is not intended for rough, stump-filled clearings where rigid tines might strike immovable obstacles.

Small Square Baler – John Deere 348 Square Baler

Small square bales remain the preferred forage package for equestrian facilities, small homesteads, and livestock producers who hand-feed daily rations. A high-performing square baler must compress fluffy windrows into uniform, tight, stackable packages while maintaining consistent twine tension. Inconsistent bale density leads to sagging stacks, broken strings, and uneven air movement during storage.

The John Deere 348 Square Baler represents the industry benchmark for reliability, speed, and clean knot tying in small square packaging. Its 74-inch-wide pickup reel sweeps wide windrows cleanly, while the gear-driven twine knotters tie reliably stroke after stroke. Key operational specifications include:

• Bale Dimensions: Standard 14-inch by 18-inch cross-section with adjustable lengths up to 50 inches
• Plunger Speed: 90 strokes per minute for dense, consistent flake separation
• Tractor Matching: Minimum 35 to 45 PTO horsepower with sufficient tractor chassis weight for stability

Operating a square baler involves a mechanical learning curve, particularly regarding twine tensioning, shear bolt replacement, and knotter billhook lubrication. Keep extra grade-5 shear bolts in the tractor toolbox, and blow off chaff around the knotters every fifty bales to prevent miss-ties.

The 348 is built for producers who demand commercial-level knotter reliability and strong resale value across years of service. It is not the best fit for micro-operations with extremely limited budgets, where a serviced legacy baler like a New Holland 273 may suffice.

Hay Moisture Tester – Agratronix HT-PRO Probe

Baling hay based on hand twists or surface feel alone introduces massive risk. Moisture trapped deep inside the dense center of a bale fosters thermophilic bacteria, creating mold that sickens livestock and generates internal heat that can trigger spontaneous combustion. A direct-read moisture probe provides the objective data required to make safe baling and storage decisions.

The Agratronix HT-PRO Probe features a rugged 20-inch stainless steel probe that reaches the exact center of small square bales where heat concentrates. Its backlit digital display provides instantaneous readouts spanning 8% to 45% moisture content, with an integrated calibration clip that ensures testing accuracy in seconds. The unit automatically compensates for ambient temperature variations, preventing false readings during hot afternoon work.

Testing technique determines accuracy. Insert the probe firmly into the cut-edge side of the bale, perpendicular to the internal flakes, which provides direct contact with stem cores. Test at least six to eight random bales across different low-lying and shaded areas of the field before moving the load into the barn.

This testing tool is mandatory safety equipment for every farm baling dry hay, regardless of acreage or experience. It is not designed for continuous silage monitoring in high-moisture wrapped round bales above 50% moisture.

3-Point Bale Spear – Titan Attachments Conus 2

Even on small farms centered on small square bales, handling auxiliary round rescue bales, bulk straw bedding, or multi-bale transport frames requires heavy-duty rear lifting capacity. Fork attachments can slip or puncture wrapping unpredictably, whereas a tapered bale spear penetrates the dense core of a bale for secure, centered transport.

The Titan Attachments Conus 2 Bale Spear installs directly onto Category 1 or 2 three-point linkages, delivering high structural rigidity without complex hydraulic plumbing. Essential specifications include:

• Capacity: Rated for up to 3,000 pounds of static load capacity
• Main Spear: 49-inch forged spring steel spear with a heat-treated Conus 2 tapered sleeve
• Stabilizers: Twin 17-inch bottom stabilizer spikes to prevent bale rotation during transport

Ensure that the tractor’s front axle carries adequate ballast weights or a front-end loader bucket before picking up heavy loads on the rear three-point hitch. Transport bales low to the ground—roughly twelve inches above field obstacles—to maintain a low center of gravity across uneven farm terrain.

This spear is right for utility tractor owners who need an affordable, heavy-duty tool for moving large round bales or staging bedding loads. It is not suitable for sub-compact tractors with three-point lift capacities under 1,200 pounds.

Hay Accumulator – Kuhns Mfg 410 Tie Bale System

Manually gathering hundreds of 50-pound square bales scattered across a rough pasture is exhausting, slow, and labor-intensive. An accumulator trails directly behind the baler chute, organizing individual bales into distinct, uniform packs that can be lifted, loaded, and stacked using a tractor-mounted loader grapple. This mechanization turns a four-person manual hauling crew into a safe, one-person loader operation.

The Kuhns Mfg 410 Tie Bale System arranges ten small square bales into an interlocking pattern (four cross-tied bales and six inline bales) using purely mechanical gravity gates. Because it requires no electrical connections or hydraulic pumps, there are no valves to overheat or electronic sensors to fail in dusty field conditions. The matched ten-bale loader grapple can clear a field and load a flatbed trailer in a fraction of the time needed for hand tossing.

Trailed accumulators add roughly fifteen feet of length behind the baler, demanding wider turnarounds at field borders and headlands. Baler output must remain consistent; irregularly shaped or undersized bales can cause mechanical jamming inside the accumulator staging chutes.

This system is an outstanding investment for solo or part-time farmers producing 1,500 to 10,000 bales annually who must clear fields quickly without hired help. It is not cost-effective for micro-growers putting up fewer than 500 bales per year on small, irregularly shaped garden plots.

Hay Storage Tarp – Inland Tarp Silver UV Bull Tarp

When barn space fills up or fields are located far from permanent outbuildings, outdoor hay stacks require robust physical shielding from weathering. Unprotected bales rapidly absorb driving rain and ambient moisture, leading to deep outer rot, protein degradation, and widespread spoilage. Standard blue poly tarps degrade under summer UV rays within months, shredding along the seams and leaving stacks exposed.

The Inland Tarp Silver UV Bull Tarp is engineered specifically for extended outdoor agricultural storage using a multi-layered 7-ounce woven polyethylene membrane. Important material characteristics include:

• UV Shielding: Silver exterior coating that reflects solar radiation, reducing heat buildup under the cover
• Waterproofing: Heavy-duty black inner layer offering complete water impermeability
• Tie-Down Structure: Heavy brass grommets set into multi-layered hem webbing every 18 inches

Proper anchoring prevents wind damage. Secure the tarp using heavy-duty rubber EPDM shock cords anchored to wooden pipes or ballast weights rather than tying rigid ropes directly to ground stakes, allowing the cover to absorb wind gusts without tearing grommets out.

This tarp is perfect for producers needing reliable, multi-season outdoor overflow storage that keeps hay saleable and dry. It is not a substitute for proper ground insulation; placing tarped stacks directly on damp dirt will still ruin the bottom layer of bales.

Managing Moisture Levels to Prevent Hay Spoilage

Safe, long-term storage of small square bales requires strict adherence to internal moisture parameters:

• Under 14% Moisture: Leaves become brittle, shattering during pickup and baling, which drastically strips nutritional protein value.
• 14% to 17% Moisture: The ideal target window for baling small squares; preserves leafy structure without risking microbial heating.
• 18% to 22% Moisture: High-risk zone requiring chemical preservative application (buffered propionic acid) to prevent mold proliferation.
• Above 22% Moisture: Extreme danger of biological heating, severe mold growth, and potential barn fires via spontaneous combustion.

Environmental humidity shifts rapidly throughout the day. Field moisture readings can swing by several percentage points between two o’clock in the afternoon and sundown as evening dew settles. If the moisture probe indicates readings climbing over 18% as the sun drops, halt baling immediately and leave the remaining windrows to dry off the following afternoon.

Proper Stacking Techniques for Small Square Bales

Stack construction directly impacts airflow, structural stability, and curing longevity inside the barn. Never stack hay directly on cold concrete or dirt floors, which draw moisture upward through capillary action. Build a solid base using dry, clean wooden pallets overlaid with a sacrificial layer of dry straw to ensure continuous air circulation underneath the stack.

TIER 1 (Base Layer): [ = ] [ = ] [ = ] (Bales run North-South) TIER 2 (Cross Tie): [ | ] [ | ] [ | ] (Bales run East-West)

Stack small square bales on edge (twine lines running horizontally along the sides rather than the bottom) whenever stacking directly out of the field. Stacking on edge exposes the cut stem ends to circulating air, allowing residual moisture and heat to escape upward through the stack chimney.

Cross-tie every alternating tier at 90-degree angles, interlocking the bales like masonry bricks to lock the stack together. Keep stack walls plumb and leave a two-foot clearance between the top bales and the barn roofline to allow hot, humid air to vent out through cupolas or ridge vents.

Post-Season Equipment Maintenance and Farm Storage

Protecting hay equipment during winter downtime ensures immediate readiness when the grass starts growing next spring. Begin by using high-pressure compressed air to thoroughly blow away all chaff, fine dust, and accumulated plant residue from mower gearboxes, rake tines, and baler knotter decks. Organic matter left on steel surfaces traps winter condensation, accelerating rust and pitting precision mechanical surfaces.

Thorough mechanical winterization involves several vital protection steps:

• Slacken all drive belts, slip clutch springs, and baler plunger tension bars to prevent metal fatigue and rubber rot.
• Clean knotter billhooks and wiper arms with fine solvent, then coat all bare metal surfaces with light machine oil or corrosion-inhibiting fluid.
• Pump fresh lithium grease through every grease zerk until clean grease purges out old dirt and field grit from bearings.

Store all implements indoors on dry wooden blocks or concrete floors rather than bare soil, which rusts steel implement tires and frames from below. If indoor barn space is unavailable, elevate equipment on pallets and cover implements with breathable, water-resistant canvas tarps rather than non-porous plastic covers that trap condensation.

Successful small-scale haying relies on matching properly sized implements to your acreage while respecting the strict timing that nature demands. Combining durable cutting, fluffing, and baling tools with vigilant moisture testing preserves feed value and keeps livestock healthy throughout winter. Investing in dependable equipment turns an unpredictable seasonal chore into a rewarding, self-sufficient farm harvest.