Tractors

[flowerpower]

We just started investing in some farm equiptment & I have a few really dumb questions.

We have these 2 tractors-

Kubota L2250 26 1/2 HP

www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/001/2/9/1291-kubota-l2250.html

Massey Ferguson 203 38HP

www.tractordata.com/industrial-tractors/000/1/9/195-massey-ferguson-203.html


I want to start making my own hay. We have the grass cutter and the baler. The baler has its own engine. It's not PTO driven. What I need is a hay rake. There are 2 styles, right? Are some PTO and some tow behind? Is the MF strong enough to use either of these rakes? Any advice is totally appreciated. I said they were dumb questions. lol

[Joseph Lofthouse]

Aug 27, 2012 6:29:21 GMT -5 flowerpower said:

What I need is a hay rake. There are 2 styles, right? Are some PTO and some tow behind? Is the MF strong enough to use either of these rakes? Any advice is totally appreciated.

I think that small hay rakes don't use much power. One of my neighbors rakes hay with a team of 2 horses meaning that it uses less than 2 hp to operate. It's one of the spinning wheel types that gets it's power from the turning of the wheels.

When I look at specs online, they specify a 20 HP tractor for rakes up to 20 feet wide, and 30 HP for rakes up to 30 HP at an operating speed of 14 MPH.

[oxbowfarm]

The most common hay rakes you will find used are the roller-bar style, New Holland is the most popular brand in the Northeast. They are ground-drive and you can pull them with just about anything at just about any speed. I've used them with a team of oxen with a forecart. An ATV would probably pull them. You could definitely do it with either of the tractors you've got, you just hitch them to the drawbar and go, once you get to the hay you drop the rake and start driving.

They have PTO rakes but they are way overkill for the amount of hay you are going to be making. Don't waste your money.

[flowerpower]

Thanks, guys.

"Ground driven'' - that's the term I couldn't think of. lol This is the type we need. I don't know where my BF got the idea the MF isn't strong enough. But he has been insisting we need a bigger machine. I'm happy to hear that what I really need is a team of Percherons or Clydesdales.

[bluelacedredhead]

Your man got the idea that the Massey wouldn't be strong enough because he's male and likes to collect "toys". Unless your place is very steep, you don't need a bigger tractor.

[oxbowfarm]

Its called heavy metal poisoning and its a very expensive and common ailment. It's nice to know people who have it as long as they don't have access to your bank accounts.