Blog
Small Farm Success: The Case for DIY Hay Production
At Tractor Tools Direct, we are committed to helping small farm operations achieve haying independence. Our extensive range of commercial-grade, high-quality implements for compact tractors is designed to make hay production not only feasible but also efficient for small-acreage farmers. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s a smart move for small farmers to start baling their own hay, empowering them to take control of their haying operations and improve their farm pro
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Jun 16th 2025
Stop Cutting Hay with a Bush Hog or Flail Mower — A Drum Mower Wins Every Time
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
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Jun 2nd 2025
When to Cut: A Guide to Timing Your Hay Harvest
Hopefully, you have used the slow winter months thinking ahead to a great baling season. Once the grass starts growing, you’ll need to be ready to spring into action! This blog will give some advice on how to know when it’s time to make the cut! The haying season is divided into multiple cuttings, with the number of cuttings being dependent on the climate and geography of the region. In northern regions of the U.S. and Canada, where the summer season is shorter, far
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Apr 30th 2025
Ready, Set, Mow: Preparing for the Hay Season
Perfect hay-baling conditions can be hard to come by, especially with the unpredictability of late spring weather. That’s why it’s crucial to start preparing for the hay season at least a month before your first cutting. In this blog, we’ll outline the steps to ensure your equipment, fields, and storage are prepared well before the first cutting.
Prepare Your Hay Baling Equipment
Ideally, much of the spring preparation should have been done the previous fall. If you foll
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Apr 1st 2025
Drum Mower? Flail Mower? Which do I need?
Here at Tractor Tools Direct we field quite a few phone calls, chats, and emails asking about different types of mowers and their uses. This blog will discuss the differences between the two types of mowers we carry–drum mowers and flail mowers–and explain why they are not interchangeable. They definitely have very different uses on a small farm.
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drum mower is a hay mower. Its purpose is to cut the stem of a crop at its base leaving the cut plant as unscathed and complete as possible.
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Oct 1st 2022