8 Supplies for Prepping Haying Equipment Before the First Cut

When the spring grass starts shooting up, the countdown to the first hay cut begins in earnest. Waiting until the afternoon of the first clear weather window to check your machinery is a recipe for broken parts, lost crops, and immense frustration. Preparing your small-scale haying equipment ahead of time ensures a smooth, safe harvest when every sunny hour counts.

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Why Early Season Hay Equipment Prep Matters

Picture a perfect three-day weather window, the grass at peak nutritional value, and a sudden, grinding halt in the middle of the first field because of a dry bearing. In small-scale haymaking, timing is everything, and the margin for error is razor-thin. Preparing machinery before the season starts turns potential multi-day breakdowns into quick, controlled maintenance sessions in the comfort of the barn.

Haying equipment sits idle for most of the year, allowing moisture to collect in gearboxes, seals to dry out, and old grease to harden. Taking the time to inspect, lubricate, and adjust every component now prevents catastrophic failures under load. It also saves money by catching minor wear on belts, chains, and knives before they destroy more expensive internal components.

Essential Safety Steps Before You Begin Tuning

Working around heavy agricultural machinery carries inherent risks that cannot be ignored. Before touching a single bolt or grease fitting, park the tractor and implement on a flat, level surface, engage the parking brake, and shut down the engine. Always remove the ignition key and pocket it so no one can accidentally start the tractor while someone is working underneath the mower or baler.

Never rely solely on the tractor’s hydraulic system to hold heavy components like cutter bars or baler chambers aloft. Always engage physical safety locks or use heavy-duty jack stands to secure these parts before working beneath them. Finally, ensure the Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft is completely disconnected from the tractor to eliminate any chance of accidental engagement.

Grease Gun – Lincoln 1134 Heavy Duty Pistol Grip

Haying machinery is packed with high-speed bearings and pivot points that operate under immense pressure and dusty conditions. A reliable grease gun is the most critical tool for purging dirt and moisture from these joints before the first spin. Without fresh grease, dry bearings will overheat rapidly, leading to seized shafts and expensive repairs mid-harvest.

The Lincoln 1134 Heavy Duty Pistol Grip stands out because it delivers up to 7,500 PSI of pressure, which is plenty of power to push through stubborn, clogged grease fittings. Its cast aluminum head and heavy-duty spring ensure long-term durability, while the pistol grip design allows for easy, one-handed operation in tight spaces.

• Dual-port head design for versatile hose placement
• Variable stroke mechanism for high-pressure or high-volume delivery
• Comes with an 18-inch whip hose and coupler

When using this grease gun, always wipe the grease zerks clean before attaching the coupler to avoid pumping abrasive grit directly into the bearing. Loading grease tubes can occasionally trap air pockets, which requires purging via the pressure relief valve to restore flow. This manual tool is ideal for hobby farmers managing small acreages, though operators with massive fleets might eventually prefer a battery-powered alternative.

Gear Lube – Lucas Oil 80W-90 Heavy Duty Gear Oil

The gearboxes on rotary mowers, tedders, and balers endure extreme shear forces and heat during operation. Over winter, condensation can mix with the gear oil, degrading its lubricating properties and promoting rust on internal gears. Changing or topping off this oil before the first cut ensures smooth power transfer and prevents costly gear failures.

Lucas Oil 80W-90 Heavy Duty Gear Oil is formulated with special additives that cushion gear teeth and resist thermal breakdown under heavy loads. It provides excellent rust protection and maintains its viscosity even when operating in hot summer weather.

• Extends gear life by reducing friction and wear
• Resists foaming to ensure continuous lubrication film
• Compatible with both conventional and synthetic gear oils

Before pouring, check the manufacturer’s manual to confirm capacity and location of the fill, level, and drain plugs. Look closely for signs of leaking seals around input and output shafts, as fresh oil will quickly escape if a seal is compromised. This heavy-duty oil is perfect for standard agricultural gearboxes, but it should never be used in hydraulic reservoirs or wet clutch compartments.

Penetrating Oil – PB B’laster Penetrating Catalyst

Agricultural implements are constantly exposed to moisture, fertilizer residues, and plant sap, which create a perfect storm for rust. Trying to force a rusted bolt, tension adjuster, or master link can easily result in sheared fasteners and hours of extra work. A high-quality penetrating oil breaks the rust bond, allowing frozen parts to move freely without damage.

PB B’laster Penetrating Catalyst is the industry standard for a reason; its unique capillary action draws the fluid deep into tight thread tolerances. It actively dissolves rust, corrosion, and grease rather than just sitting on the surface of the metal.

• Non-evaporating formula stays on the metal to continue working
• Leaves a thin protective barrier to inhibit future rust
• High-flashpoint chemistry for safer use around warm components

Spray the rusted parts generously and allow the catalyst to sit for at least ten to fifteen minutes before attempting to turn the fastener. For severely seized bolts, a few light taps with a hammer can help create micro-fractures in the rust to let the oil penetrate deeper. While indispensable for freeing stuck parts, remember that penetrating oil is not a replacement for heavy grease or gear oil and will wash away quickly if used as a primary lubricant.

Angle Grinder – DeWalt DWE402 Paddle Switch Grinder

Dull mower blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, which bruises the plants, slows regrowth, and increases the tractor’s fuel consumption. An angle grinder is the fastest, most efficient tool for restoring a sharp, clean edge to disc mower blades or sickle sections. It is also invaluable for cleaning up rusty surfaces on baler pickup teeth or chute guides.

The DeWalt DWE402 Paddle Switch Grinder features a powerful 11-amp motor that maintains wheel speed even under heavy pressure. Its paddle switch design includes a lock-off to prevent accidental starts, and the Dust Ejection System protects the motor from abrasive metal shavings.

• 11,000 RPM high-speed motor for fast material removal
• One-Touch guard allows for quick, tool-free adjustments
• Ergonomic grip reduces hand fatigue during long sharpening sessions

When sharpening blades, maintain the original factory bevel angle and avoid overheating the steel, which can ruin its temper and make it brittle. Always use a balancing tool after grinding to ensure the blade does not vibrate and damage the mower spindle. This grinder is a must-have for self-reliant hobby farmers, though users must wear proper eye protection, heavy gloves, and ear protection during use.

Moisture Tester – Farmex HT-Pro Hay Moisture Tester

Baling hay at the wrong moisture level is the single biggest risk in hay production. If the hay is too dry, leaves shatter and nutritional value is lost; if it is too wet, the bale will mold or, worse, combust inside the barn. A reliable moisture tester takes the guesswork out of the process, giving you the exact data needed to start baling with confidence.

The Farmex HT-Pro Hay Moisture Tester is a highly accurate tool featuring a 20-inch stainless steel probe that easily penetrates tightly packed bales or windrows. It features a digital display with a backlight, making it easy to read in direct sunlight or late-evening conditions.

• Moisture range of 8% to 44% covers all typical baling conditions
• Temperature limit display to monitor heating in stored bales
• Calibration clip included for quick, on-the-go accuracy checks

To get an accurate reading in the field, test multiple spots in the windrow by packing a sample tightly into a bucket before inserting the probe. Once baled, insert the probe into the end of the bale, perpendicular to the slices, to get a true representation of the core moisture. This tool is an absolute necessity for anyone baling their own forage, as it pays for itself by preventing a single ruined crop or barn fire.

Baler Twine – Bridon Cordage 9600/170 Plastic Twine

There is nothing more frustrating than a baler knotter skipping ties or twine snapping as a bale exits the chamber. High-quality twine must have consistent thickness and strength to feed smoothly through the tensioners and knotters without causing jams. Prepping your baler means clearing out old, degraded twine and loading fresh, reliable product.

Bridon Cordage 9600/170 Plastic Twine is engineered specifically for small square balers, offering a 170-pound knot strength that holds tight under high pressure. It is highly resistant to rotting, mold, and UV degradation, ensuring bales stay bound even when stored for extended periods.

• 9,600 feet total length per two-pack carton
• Consistent diameter prevents knotter misfires and tension issues
• Bright color options for high visibility in the field and barn

Before loading fresh twine, thoroughly clean the twine box and knotter assembly of old dust, rust, and chaff. Thread the twine carefully through all guides and tension plates exactly as specified in the baler manual to prevent premature wearing or cutting. This plastic twine is ideal for farmers who require durable, long-lasting bales, though those looking for biodegradable options may prefer sisal twine despite its lower rot resistance.

Belt Dressing – CRC 05350 Spray Belt Conditioner

Many older hay rakes, conditioners, and balers rely on V-belts to transfer power from the PTO to the working components. Over time, these belts can dry out, glaze over, and slip, reducing mechanical efficiency and causing premature wear. Applying a belt conditioner restores grip and flexibility, ensuring maximum power delivery when the crop gets heavy.

CRC 05350 Spray Belt Conditioner penetrates the rubber fibers of V-belts, flat belts, and serpentine belts to restore pliability and prevent drying or cracking. It eliminates squeaks and slippage, allowing the machinery to run quieter and more efficiently.

• Water-resistant formula prevents slippage in damp morning conditions
• Works on rubber, canvas, and leather belt materials
• Extension tube included for precise application in hard-to-reach areas

Always apply belt dressing with the engine completely shut off and the keys removed from the ignition to prevent severe injury. Spray a light, even coat on the pulley-side of the belt, allowing it to penetrate for a few minutes before starting the machine. While this conditioner is excellent for extending the life of solid belts, it cannot repair deep cracks or structural fraying, which require immediate belt replacement.

Torque Wrench – Tekton 1/2-Inch Drive Click Wrench

Haying equipment is subjected to constant vibration and high rotational forces that can easily loosen critical fasteners. Over-tightening bolts can stretch or snap them, while under-tightening can cause blades or wheels to fly off during operation. A precise torque wrench ensures that every critical bolt is tightened to the exact manufacturer specifications.

The Tekton 1/2-Inch Drive Click Wrench offers a wide torque range of 10 to 150 foot-pounds, making it highly versatile for agricultural use. Its all-steel construction has no plastic parts to break, and the high-contrast dual-range scale is easy to read even in low-light barn environments.

• Reversible ratchet head drives in both directions
• Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy
• Mechanical click is highly audible and tactile when target torque is reached

Always store click-style torque wrenches at their lowest torque setting to prevent the internal spring from losing its calibration over time. Never use a torque wrench as a breaker bar to loosen stuck fasteners, as this can easily damage the internal mechanism. This tool is indispensable for securing mower blades, wheel lugs, and gearbox mounts, though it may be overkill for simple sheet metal shields.

How to Safely Test Your Machinery in the Field

Once all maintenance is complete, a dry run in a safe, open area is essential before heading into the standing crop. Hook up the implements, ensure all guards are securely in place, and slowly engage the PTO at a low engine speed. Listen closely for any unusual vibrations, squeals, or grinding noises that indicate a dry bearing or misaligned belt.

Gradually increase the tractor engine speed to the standard operating 540 RPM PTO speed while observing the machine’s behavior. Watch the cutter bar, tedder arms, or baler pickup to ensure they are moving smoothly and tracking correctly. After running the machine empty for five to ten minutes, shut down the tractor completely, remove the key, and carefully feel the bearing housings and gearboxes to check for excessive heat buildup.

Final Inspection Checklist Before the First Cut

Before dropping the mower deck into the grass, perform one final walk-around to ensure nothing has been missed. Double-check that all safety shields are pinned in place, tire pressures are correct, and all hitch pins have safety clips installed. Confirm that you have a stash of spare parts, such as shear bolts, mower blades, and extra twine, readily available in the tractor toolbox.

Verify that the field itself is clear of large rocks, branches, or debris that may have accumulated over the winter. Taking these final precautionary steps ensures that your hard work during the prep phase translates directly into a smooth, productive, and safe first cut.

With your tools gathered and your machinery thoroughly prepped, you can face the upcoming hay season with complete confidence. Taking the time to service your equipment now ensures that when the weather clears, you will be making hay, not repairs. Here’s to a safe, bountiful harvest and a barn filled with high-quality bales.