Mini Baler, Mini Rake

[wchp12]

So I saw on facebook one of the new mini balers and it got me wondering/thinking

http://tractortoolsdirect.com/showroom/wheel-rakes/

http://tractortoolsdirect.com/showroom/caeb-mini-round-hay-baler/

The rake seems pretty good but I just want to know what others have done I have B2650 and would love to make some side money baling, because out where I live its either bale big and a lot or go home. I know 11K+ is a lot of capital to start up but I just wonder if there is any money to be made or do I just find an old rake and modify it to fit my little Kubota and then find the smallest square baler and deal with breakdowns? I am not good at fixing things at all.

Just curious for thoughts/comments

 

[1970cs]

Ok first, who is cutting the hay? You could use a sickle bar mower but the drying times without conditioning the hay will be significant! Then what happens on rainy conditions you may have to buy a tedder.

Pat

 

[Diydave]

Question is, is how do you plan to market the hay you are planning to mow...

In the hay business, the easiest way to double your money is to fold it in half and stick it back in your pocket...

 

[nickelplated5s]

How do you plan on getting it out of the field and where will you store it? Around here custom cutting, left in field, gets you about 50 per ton. It costs 30+ to do it.

 

[Ramos]

Feel bad throwing out another negative comment but....

If you are 'Not good at fixing things at all', running a baler may not be your' cup of tea. I have run two, three and six tie, new and old balers for the last 40 years. They all require routine adjustments and frequent repairs. Balers are the antithesis of a low maintenance machine.

 

[skeets]

Anudder thang ,, what kind of grass are you planing to cut and bail,, just grass aint so much to good for critters, there is a lot more to hay than just let it grow cut it and sell it!! How much alfalfa is in it timothy and clover and so on orchard grass will work but not for much money,, Around here they are getting ready fo a second cut, first was a bytch to get in. Also you need to look in to a ready market, unless your going to use this stuff for your own critters and dont have to worry about storage. Sometimes getting in to farming for money isnt a good idea, you either have to be born to it, love it, or have no other choice, but if your going to try and make money at it,, like the man said just keep your money in your pocket

 

[FrozenInTime]

For side $$, I work for a friend/farmer. I use his equipment/fuel, etc. Equipment, operating costs, etc, is not cheap. One big repair bill and your in the hole big time. I love to do hay work but would not do it on my dime. And, I get all the hay/straw I want for the price of a beer.

I run poultry so I don't need a lot of straw, might be different if I ran lots of cattle/horses.

 

[nickelplated5s]

Ramos, have you ever run a small baler, 2 string, with hydraulic tensioners? Are they worth the money?

 

[Ramos]

Ramos, have you ever run a small baler, 2 string, with hydraulic tensioners? Are they worth the money?

I much prefer hydraulic tensioning over spring tensioning. More consistent, easy to adjust and gives you a visual reference via the pressure gauge. One suggestion I have for anyone baler shopping is to take the Model # to the dealer and see to what degree it is being supported by the Parts Department. Many older balers are losing this support, as in NLA (No Longer Available) parts. Every component in the knotter head is a wear item. Make sure you will be able to get bill hooks, pinion gears, knives, twine disks and tucker fingers. Needles, and plunger parts (rollers, rails and knives) will also be important at some point. None of these parts are easily substituted or fabbed up. If you have a Case IH baler, try a Hesston or Massey Fergusen dealer for parts. All three of these brands were made by Agco and some of the discontinued Case parts are still offered through the 'other' guys. You will need to cross-reference models to get the Parts guys into the right book. This may be more information than anyone wanted but, thought I would throw it out there.