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When it comes to haymaking, one of the most crucial decisions a farmer or producer must make is the cutting height. The height at which you cut your forage plays a significant role in the overall quality and yield of the hay, as well as the long-term health of the pasture. Below, we’ll explore why cutting height matters, highlighting the benefits of getting it right and the risks of cutting too high or too low.   Impact on Forage Quality Cutting height directly influences the nu …

  Here at Tractor Tools Direct we field quite a few phone calls, chats, and emails asking about different types of mowers and their uses, more specifically, asking which type can be used for hay production. This blog will discuss the differences between three types of mowers – drum mowers, which are a fantastic choice for cutting hay, and bush hogs and flail mowers, which are not. However, the latter two definitely have their own important roles on a small farm. A Drum Mo …

Small-farm operators who are new to hay production are often unsure of the differences between tedding and raking when it comes to baling hay. They confuse the two processes thinking they are one and the same and/or that the same implements can be used to perform both tasks. Let’s discuss this here. Tedding is the act of fluffing and spreading cut forage to increase air and sun exposure and decrease drying time. Tedding is typically done after the hay is mowed and before it is raked into …

After more than a decade of helping small-farm operators meet their haying needs, Tractor Tools Direct has narrowed down its inventory to two types of hay rakes–wheel rakes and belt rakes. There are several practical reasons for this including these machines’: Ease of use Ease of maintenance and repair Availability of replacement parts Ability to be sized to specific farm/tractor requirements Affordability Read on to determine which of these rakes best meets the needs of your smal …