Blog
Small Farm Hay Production: Choosing a Hay Rake
Choosing a hay rake for your small-farm operation can seem like a daunting task. The choices for hay rakes are many. Different regions of the country seem to prefer different styles of rakes. In this blog we will break down their similarities and differences so that you can make the most sensible investment for your hay production needs.
What is a Hay Rake?
A hay rake rakes hay into windrows which are lines of hay that can be more easily picked up by a baler. It is a common misconception that
…
Aug 5th 2019
Small Farm Hay Production: The Case for Making Your Own Hay
At Tractor Tools Direct, we bring haying independence to small farm operations. Our lines of commercial-duty, high-quality implements for compact tractors make hay production possible for small-acreage farmers. In this blog, we will discuss the reasons why these farmers may want to make the jump to baling their own hay.
Hay Quality
Livestock owners who purchase hay from others can’t control the quality of the hay available. When you make your own hay, you always know its quality and can monit
…
Jun 3rd 2019
Net Wrap Versus Twine—Mini Round Balers
Here at Tractor Tools Direct, we have recently added a line of more affordable net-wrap mini round balers. Because of that, we are fielding questions about which type of baler is better—net wrap or twine. In this blog we will discuss the pros and cons of each so that you can make the best choice for your small-farm operation.
The Mini Round Baler in General
First, it is necessary to keep in mind that this blog will discuss mini round balers. The uses of such balers vary from those of larg
…
May 1st 2019
The Belt Rake—An Exceptional Choice for Small-Farm Hay Production
Here at Tractor Tools Direct, our Ibex Belt Rake has become one of our very best sellers. At the same time, it is also a product with which most of our customers are unfamiliar until they find it on our website. For this reason, this month’s blog will answer the question: What is a belt rake, and why is it such an exceptional choice for small-farm hay production?
Although belt rakes have been a standard choice for hay making in Europe for quite some time, they are now becoming quite popular in
…
Apr 1st 2019
The Versatility of the Power Harrow
Many people are familiar with the use of power harrows for market gardens. These machines are perfect for seedbed preparation and weed control. However, their design makes them perfect for other jobs as well–on the small farm and beyond.
First, let’s look at the design of a power harrow. A power harrow has a series of vertical tines connected to horizontal axes. As these axes turn, they till the soil to an adjustable level. A mesh roller follows these axes further tamping the soil and sealing t
…
Mar 1st 2019