how many hp required

Dave

Heavy enough to handle the weight & rocking action of the plunger (not a modern compact-utility tractor - an old cast iron machine is better!).

You want live pto - 2-stage clutch or independent.

A good selection of slow gears is nice - a 5 speed is better than a 4 speed, an 8 or 10 speed is even better.

Color doesn't matter, just look for features. My IHC 300 row crop is great - 5 speed with TA (gives it 10 speeds), independent pto, heavy enough to handle the baler & wagon, about 36 hp.

A baler takes about 15 hp, moving the tractor & baler takes about 15 hp, and adding a wagon takes another 5hp. About.

You are talking a smaller hay field. Not a 100 acres or more. right?

--->Paul

--->Paul

I use a Ford 850 (about 40 hp) with an old Massey Ferguson 124 baler. As mentioned below, live pto is a big plus. My tractor don't have it. It is possible to bale without live pto, it just takes more talent! ;^)

Seriously, if you know you're going to bale and you don't have a tractor yet, insist on live pto. A Ford 860 is the same tractor as mine only with a live pto. I just looked at a MF 65 with live pto also. It's for sale but the seller wants $4000 which I don't need to spend right now.

As for balers, if you're trying to get by with older less expensive equipment, there's lots of choices. Having gone the MF route, I'd say try a John Deere or New Holland. They make good balers and they're still making good balers....ie, parts are still available. It's best to make friends with a neighbor who knows his stuff. Then after doing him a quantity of favors, have him return the favor by going with you when you go to look at old used balers. He'll know what to look for in the way of critical wear areas, expensive fixes, etc. Of course you'll also have to listen to his personal biases which may or may not be grounded in fact....but you'll be closer to making a good decision than relying on your own judgment (assuming you have no experience). I speak from sad experience as evidenced by my non-live pto tractor and my MF baler!

Other considerations will be how are you going to cut the hay and put it into windrows? Sickle mower and a side delivery rake? That's what I do. Other options would be a swather, mo-co, bushhog with the side cut out, I've heard of lots of ways to do it. Again, listen to others, ask questions and make your own decision. It can be done. And fun can be had doing it!

Good luck.

The same goes for other tractor companies. I think the only one that was always good was NH.

We had a couple of MF balers and the last one was a great baler and I would put it against a JD any day.