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Need a bigger tractor for hay.

J

Joe Werner

Member
Hi, I farm about 20 acres of grass/horse hay and I would like to get a bigger tractor becasue currently I'm using an H. I have a NH 479 haybine a NH 273 baler. I would love to buy a 400/450, but Im worried that these may really suck the gas. I was then thinking about a 300/350. I was just wondering if anyone has expirence with doing hay these tractors. I would like a 400/450 just because Ive always wanted one, but is the fuel gonna hurt my pocket alot more with a 400/450 than a 300/350?

thanks Joe
 
The difference will be saved in time and power that is lost in overall efficiency. I would say it is a tossup. On 20 acres, a 350 is more correct in size and utility. Steer clear of the diesel 350. A 350U is also a great choice, check the stering for loose or binding components. Jim
 
I pulled a NH271 behind a IH340 last year and it did just fine. Yep the bigger the HP the more fuel it will suck down. My self I like to have a tractor for each job saves time and also helps when/if you brake down
 
A 300 is not much improvement in HP and will probably use more gas. You need a 656 for what you are doing. Power steering, good hydraulics, good live pto, ample HP.
 
The problem you got if you go with something as new as a 656 is the tractor is a LOT more complicated and there's a LOT more to go wrong.

Plus the gassers REALLY like the PREMIUM gas. You really don't want to work them hard on regular unleaded. Mid-grade at least.

300 or 350 is only a few more HP and a few hundred pounds heavier than an H but it will feel a bit bigger. They also add live PTO and live hydraulics.

Frankly I think a 300 or 350 would be just fine if you're on fairly flat ground.
 
I do all of my haying except raking with an H and really like it for that, but I can see that the 300/350 would be a lot more convenient in some ways with live power and hydraulics. There are occasions when I wish I had an M sized tractor but not often enough to make it make sense to have a third tractor all of the time, at least for now. On the other hand if I got a good deal I would get another tractor and then figure out how to store it.
Zach
 
I think the 300/350 tractors were upgrades on the H and that the 400/450 were upgrades on the M. I farm 15 acres of coastal bermuda hay with a 464 diesel for cutting (7.5 ft. Vicon disc mower) and baling (John Deere 336). For raking (John Deere bar rake) and tedding (Vicon 2 basket) I use a 140. Neither tractor has any trouble with their jobs. I think you would be fine with a 300 or 350, but if you really need extra power you can go bigger.

SF
 
Thanks for the answers guys. I only have one tractor right now which is the H. For the most part it does ok, but there are times when i could use a newer tractor. The H wont lift my NH 479, so i have to use a manual jack, which is a pain. The H is getting a little tired and i want to just use it for raking and tedding. I'm going to keep my eyes open for a nice 400/450, hopefully i can locate one thats close.
 
How many hours do you put on the H to do that grass? More than one cut? Get a tractor with live PTO at a minimum for baling. Forget the letter series Farmalls. (except SMTA)
 
LOL an H???? My baler manual calls for at least 70PTO HP. Makes 1800lbs bales......
Click to expand...

His baler makes 50lb bales. On flat ground, with no wagon, he could probably run it with a Super C.
 
Yes, find a 400 or 450. Will cost you about $300 more in fuel a year. Keep the H for raking.
Once you mowed baled with a TA and live PTO you will think you have died and gone to heaven
 
If you can afford the $3-4000 for the tractor I can't see how an increase in fuel consumption will affect you. If you need the power you need it. If you make power you burn fuel. No way around it.
 

Do yourself a favour and get a smaller utility tractor, IH 354 364 454 464 or newer, something with decent gears and live or Ipto.

Not sure about the tractor market where you are, but small 2wd diesel utility with 3 pt hitch, live PTO, diff lock and multirange transmissions can easily be had in the 2500-3000 range.

Forget the old gassers and Farmalls. I've raked hay and baled with a W-4 (standard tread version of H) and it gets the job done, but total last resort and a waste of time otherwise.
 
I'm writing from a 45+ year memory, but I worked on a ranch in SD in '64 and we used a 450 gas on an IH baler with a Farmhand accumulator on it. In the rolling fields, it had plenty of power and did just fine. We also had a 350D and I would not have wanted to pull the baler with that tractor... it had a loader with the attachment to pick up the 8 bales the accumulator dropped. We had 400 acres of irrigated alfalfa, so you know what we did almost every day. Get a 400/450 and keep the H for raking, pulling the hay racks, etc. ... you won't be sorry you had that extra power. Also the bigger tractor, when not working so hard, probably won't use any more fuel than the smaller tractor working harder, and you will appreciate the TA if your windrows are uneven.
 
alright thanks. It would be nice to have a 400/450 for the fields that are really heavy with hay. for the lighter fields ill still bale witht he H, just to save a few dollars.
 
When I was growing up we had a neighbor who had a Oliver Super 88 265 ci, which he used to cut hay with a NH 479 haybine, and baled hay with a NH 276 baler. Personally I would go with a Oliver Super 88 versus the 400-450. I'm currently looking for a Super 88 to go along with my Super M.
 
If you upgrade to a 400 or a 450, you'll never put your H on the baler again. Live PTO.. No more speed shifting Torque.... ahhhh :D Been there , done that. If you really want to treat yourself, find one with power steering.
 
The bigger tractor doing what you describe will burn more gas, but it will be nominal because the tractor won't have to work as hard doing it as the smaller one would. and you will find it's reserve power is an advantage. Keep the H for the light jobs if you wish. The main thing in my thinking is to get a tractor in good shape...the best you can find, they're the easiest to pay for and pay for to operate.
 
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