Making hay

Tom in Mo. · May 27, 2020

In central MO we've had a long cool spring with lots of timely rain. Starting Friday it looks like a week straight of sun, no rain. Haying season will be in full swing. Grease your bearings....

old · May 27, 2020

Thing is they said this week was going to be dry then a few days latter they started calling for rain so I'll not hold my breath till I see if really happen

Northvale PA · May 27, 2020

We got started Saturday when the rain quit here. Been strange weather pattern in this area with a
breeze off the ocean bringing clouds and morning fog. Doesn’t clear out until noon. Soaks everything.
During the week I can only bale after work, so we run both balers until gets too late. Photos from
yesterday evening. Good weather and long weekends rarely happen at the same time.

Northvale PA · May 27, 2020

She chickened first. Only need one discbine, but Yes, we have 2 rakes we pull with the Fergusons, 2 tedders, 4 wagons, 2 big tractors and 2 balers. It is a pain to get everything out, greased, oiled, fueled, tuned up, hooked up and running. But it sure is a good feeling when everything is running well. Racing the sun. Team work at it’s best.

wingnuttx · May 27, 2020

NVPA..... Thank you for the action shots! You have some really nice equipment. Easy to understand that equipment preparation for such an event must take you a full day. Wishing you all safe working days in the weeks to come baling hay. A lot of millinials buy bailed hay at their local feed store to decorate their yard for some occasion but truly don't understand the time and money involved in producing the baled hay.

showcrop · May 27, 2020

Northvale, if you can't bale until after work when does raking take place? We like to get it raked at least two hours before baling. Speaking of raking don't you know that it is impossible to make good hay with a roll-a-bar rake??? At least that is what they keep telling me.

Northvale PA · May 27, 2020

My wife is home these days and raked during the afternoon. Normally we have to time all this stuff. For
2nd and 3rd cut alfalfa I double rake the evening before baling and it will get rolled over the next day,
maybe during her lunch break. Weekend baling is just plain better than juggling work and hay work. But,
it rained all day Friday and it was time to get going. As far as a rollabar rake, I like them. But if the
windrows need more drying, we run the reel tedder over them.

Northvale PA · May 27, 2020

I pulled the 2 balers out Monday evening and spent about 1 hour each greasing everything, oiling the chains, running the knotters and looking and listening. In the fall I go over each one, replace missing tines, clean them out and make a list of any more major repairs. I think the biggest help to well running machines is plenty of high quality tacky grease. Cheap insurance. I learned the hard way.

Bill VA · May 27, 2020

We are locked and loaded, waiting on a weather window...

showcrop · May 27, 2020

Northvale, I think that your last pic is a year old.

Briar Hill Brittanys · May 28, 2020

I'd like to be mowing early Friday PM. The ground is still pretty spongy, but I believe it can get done. Two fields won't be able to get done until Buck Branch drops a couple of feet.

Northvale PA · May 28, 2020

Good catch. That is my fall baler cleanout time. Make a list of parts needed and repairs to make.

Making hay

Tom in Mo.

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old

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Northvale PA

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Northvale PA

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wingnuttx

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showcrop

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Northvale PA

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Northvale PA

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Bill VA

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showcrop

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Briar Hill Brittanys

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Northvale PA

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