more on doing my own hay

To sum up what I learned, the 8n is good for the raking, maybe OK for the mowing, but is a bad choice for the baling.

If I were to try to pick up a second tractor, (I can hear my wife now) what are some specifics that make for a good tractor for baling. What I know so far is live PTO, live hydrolics, 40 plus hp.

I am hoping to pick up something in the spring and I am bargain hunting so if I can stay flexible on model and make I have a better chance.

Thanks again/Doug

A 1960's vintage tractor will have a lot more amenities than will a 1950's vintage one. The suggestion of getting a 3020 is a good one, and except for the cost of a good 3020, I'd say that getting one of them ought to be a first choice.

Some good models: IHC f656 and f504, Ford 4000, Oliver 1600, 1650, 1550 (including the Cockshutt badged models), MM U302, AC D17 and 180, Case 730 and 830, and John Deere 3010, 3020, 2510,and the 2020!

I have a 300 IHC row crop tractor - it's the mid-50's version of an H, it has 36 hp, 8 forward speeds with the TA, independent pto. (That TA allows me to shift hi/lo in each gear without clutching - _very_ handy for baling...) It has pulled the 270 NH baler and a hayrack of 120 bales on my hilly ground (the last few years a bale basket) for about 35-40 years now. Dad & now I make 2000 - 6000 bales a year. This is a lower volume baler, but this combo has preformed very well, and I plan to keep using them. I just put $1500 into rebuilding the tractor.

Lots of good slightly different directions from the others. I have an Ollie Super 77, that works good for baling too. As does the Ford 960 I have. I love the tranny options on the 300 for baling....

--->Paul

my advise...what its worth.

Scott

I do round bales as well as square. For the moment, I'll think in terms of small squares only.

I would look for something in the nieghborhood of 50 to 60 HP, Live power or better yet, independent PTO. I'm "Diesel only" at this point. With the 50-60 HP size, you'll get a bit more "built-in wieght" that will make pulling a loaded wagon easier as well as safer. And even if you don't need remote hydraulics yet, you might someday. They make a tractor far more versitile. Another plus on the good hydraulics is it gives you the option of adding a loader with relative ease.

You need to build in reliability to your equipment roster. An 8N is a good old tractor, but they're 50+ years old. It can lay down on you at any moment. That's just not a viable option when you're in the hay business.

Go over-kill as opposed to under-kill. Too big is OK. Too small is too small. John

Anything that has live hydraulics and independent PTO should do what you ask. While it is true you can 'get by' you can get what you need for the same money. I'd try for 50+ hp. Plenty of tractors out there, some are over priced for what you get (I can never understand why the 8n's sell as well as they do, add $1000 to them and get a something with what you need plus diesel).

I like th 630 better and thats 40hp... I even used a straight H international (25hp) THAT WAS A NIGHTMARE... not enough power to get threw tough wads and no independant PTO so I sheared lots of shear pins that day.

:)