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Large or small? Round or square? When it comes to choosing a baler, there are a multitude of options. Even within the various categories of balers there are important distinctions. For the purpose of this blog, intended for small farm operators, we will concentrate on mini round balers and small square balers. Most small farm operators do not have a large enough tractor in either weight or horsepower to consider a big round baler or big square baler. If that’s what you’re looking for, there are …

The ability to make quick repairs and perform routine maintenance on your hay equipment is crucial to an efficient and productive hay season. The following is a list of parts, supplies, and tools that every hay producer should have on hand--some in the equipment shed and some in the tool box to carry out to the field. You likely already have several of these items on your small farm. If you need to purchase any, however, most can be found at your local equipment dealership, at an ag box store, o …

A compact tractor is the heart of any small-farm operation. Therefore, you likely already own one and would like to use it for hay production too. And guess what? Contrary to the folks at the local coffee shop who have laughed at you for even mentioning it, you likely can. Even subcompact tractors with as little as 20 horsepower can be used to bale hay. Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect match between your tractor and your needed hay equipment. Before shopping for hay equipment, …

When baling hay, one of the decisions a producer must make is what type of bale binding to use. Hay binding materials include hemp twine, polypropylene twine, sisal twine, net wrap and others. This blog will discuss hemp twine. What is hemp? Hemp is a plant with thin stalks and compound palmate leaves. Its flowers are small and greenish yellow. Though hemp originated in central Asia, it is now grown in temperate regions throughout the world. Not to be confused with cannabis, the source of mari …

When testing and demoing our equipment here at Tractor Tools Direct, we often look for grassy city lots that need attention and then donate the harvested bales to local charitable organizations. In this way, we turn our passion for small-farm hay production into compassion for those in need. Ibex TX 45 Drum Mower,Ibex TS130 2+2 V-Rake, and Ibex TX31 Mini Round Baler with Net Wrap on a city lot and donated the hay to Peacefield Equine Sanctuary. Peacefield is operated by Bruce and Elizabet …