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Farmers who want to make the jump to baling their own hay often ask about the differences between tedders and rakes. They also often ask if they can get by with one or the other. In this blog we will discuss the differences between these two implements and how to determine if both are necessary for your small-farm operation. However, before deciding which implement is right for you, it is first necessary to understand the workings of the hay mower that cuts the crop that is to be raked or tedde …

When you think about baling with a mini round baler, you tend to picture a perfectly windrowed, rectangularly shaped, 3- to 5-acre hay field under blue skies and warm temps. However, here at Tractor Tools Direct, we would like to suggest some out-of-the-box uses for mini round balers. Uses that you might not have ever considered. Baling Leaves In heavily wooded areas, a mini round baler is the perfect size for baling leaves that can then be used for garden compost or animal bedding. Leaves ca …

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 …

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 …

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 …