Renting or Leasing a Used Baler

I'm in need of advice.  My baler needs to be replaced but I'm not sure on a "permanent" solution.  A possible "stop-gap" has emerged to get me through the next year or so.

 

A friend of mine died about 6 years ago and his son asked If I would be interested in renting/leasing his dad's 1995 New Holland 650 with Auto-Wrap. The baler has sat in the shed unused for those 6 years or so.  I looked at it and it seems straight with no missing teeth on the pickup or obvious hydraulic leaks.

 

I don't know what to offer on a rent/lease and neither does he.  Any ideas on what an arrangement should look like?  Money per bale, cash for the season, or labor/parts to bring it to operating condition?  I would be using it with my tractor.

Renting or Leasing a Used Baler

what's it worth?

There is a Khuns 1036F 10 bale flat accumulator and matching grapple one year old on Sale any guesses on what it will bring.New 1036F $11400 and grapple $3800 at local dealer. I am going just to see. Also on a different sale a 15 bale Khuns accumulator and grapple?

what's it worth?

Fly Resisitence-A Highly Heritable Trait

The attached article just reinforces what we have seen over the last five-six years with no chemical fly control. 

We have only had one case where we did pour some yearling heifers a couple years ago.  They were sandwiched in between pastures that had the exact kind of cattle the article says are more prone to fly problems.  Flies were extremely bad that year for almost all cattle inour area, but our cow herd and yearlings here at home had few problems, just a handful of out of 250 head.  The yearling heifers, in the pasture away from home, had hundreds of flies, while the cows in the neighboring pastures would have thousands.  Neither cows on each side of the heifers ever received help from their owners. We brought the heifers in and poured them and put a fly tag in one ear.  If it had not been for the neighboring cattle, I don't think we would have had to do anything.

Our cows are the smaller framed, easy fleshing type, that get no shots, wormers, or fly control, and very little supplemental feed besides grazing.  just the kind that the article says are likely to be more resistant to flys.  The last time most of them went through the chute is when they get preg checked as a yearling breeding heifer.

Attached Files

•  Fly Control.pdf   102.51KB   5 downloads

Fly Resisitence-A Highly Heritable Trait

Weevil activity

The Alfalfa here on our farm in central Pennsylvania is 4 to 6 inches tall the cold weather this weekend could get a bit interesting. I am wondering if anyone south of us here is seeing any Weevil activity as it's a little early for us for weevils and has anyone sprayed for them

Weevil activity

Circle C conditioning rolls

I know that Circle C offers complete conditioning system that uses air bags instead of the factory tensioning......I'm not really interested in that due to the cost but I think I have read on here where you take your rollers out of your machine and send them to Circle C where they resurface them. I was wondering how much this would actually improve the dry down of the hay versus stock rollers? Thinking about doing this to a NH 499 if it would improve dry down a good bit faster.....not sure what the cost would be though and if it would be worth spending on a 499?

Circle C conditioning rolls

Haygrazer in sand?

I want to try to grow a crop of haygrazer this year. All I have is sand and I'm concerned about getting a stand. Plan on planting jackpot sorghum just don't want to waste my money if the stuff won't grow in sand.
Thanks

Haygrazer in sand?

Roller repair on NH 472

Is there any cheap way to repair the rollers on a NH 472 haybine? I just can't justify putting $1200/a roll into it.

Roller repair on NH 472

Tow bar for a Ranger

Anyone tow a Ranger,etc.?Did you build a tow bar or buy one?Looking for ideas.

Tow bar for a Ranger

Vicon cm 240 disc mowers

Are there any one with information on these mowers. My neighbor has 3 cm 240 mowers and we are looking into trying to make 1 out of 3. We have the serial numbers and the problem we have seen, the mowers are the same up until the last two series of mowers, which are 14052 and 14056, anything before this is different numbers. So my question would be did Vicon change the machines or was there some kind of sell out or buy out during this period.

 

 

Thanks Donny B

Vicon cm 240 disc mowers

Cattle Sprayer

Saw this and thought it was convenient. It will soon be fly season in the South and everywhere before we know it.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1V4mX1W

Cattle Sprayer

New barn floor

I'm building a new hay storage barn in a generally wet climate. Can't use rock or gravel as the plan is to unload a pull type bale wagon. Regardless of the thickness and compaction I'm pretty sure the bale wagon forks would drag the gravel. Was thinking about concrete with a plastic vapor barrier underneath but concrete is one - third the cost of the building itself. Is asphalt a bettering more economical choice and if so should it have a vapor barrier underneath.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

New barn floor

Bale Baron capacity

I've been really considering looking into the bale baron for a little while now due to expanding farther and farther away from the barns.

Was wondering what u guys running them thought they could pick up in a day. This would be the pull type model behind a 160 horse tractor putting out 40 gpm. Was wanting to be able to follow 3 balers. Barons website says it can due up to 1000 bales an hour. Is this possible? Can a guy operate it fast enough to accomplish this? This would be mainly be in straw at that capacity so even if the baron wasn't right behind the 3 balers , I could run it at night to catch it up when the balers shut down in the evenings from due.

Thanks for any thoughts or input.

Bale Baron capacity

hammer mill wheat ?

have some wheat to feed cows and have read its best to split kernels into two pieces . have a mixmill does anyone know if this could be accomplished ?

hammer mill wheat ?

Northern Iowa Ag Jobs

From AgWeb...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1Sj5eie

Northern Iowa Ag Jobs

Teff Residue

I had planned on 40ac of Teff here in Idaho in a field that will need to be worked up into a fair seedbed condition the following spring. Anybody know what kind of root ball and stalk residue I'll be facing? I'll most likely have to rely on discing or maybe discing in the fall and plowing in early spring. Plowing it straight under would put it right about the depth we run the fumigation shanks.

Teff Residue

Header does not raise up even

I am at my wits end! Anyone know why this header will not raise up even?
I have replaced cylinders that I knew were good because the dealer mechanic said that's the problem !
I have adjusted the springs on both sides till I cannot see that this is even the problem!
Help

Header does not raise up even

Anyone Tried Dessie Teff????

Noticed Southern States carries Dessie Teff.  I can't confirm if it's coated or uncoated - yet.

 

Anyone tried this variety?

 

What is the good, bad and ugly regarding it.

 

Southern States stores are all around my neck of the woods - would be an easy pick-up, which is why it peaks my interest.

 

Thanks!

Bill

Anyone Tried Dessie Teff????

Cub Cadet sputters under load / dies

A friend has a cub cadet riding mower. First mow of season.
He has to jump it to start as the battery is shot.
Starts and runs okay. Fires up the mower deck, runs okay for a bit and then sputters and dies. Shuts down mower deck mower runs fine, no issues.

He takes off the deck, greases spindles checks belts all appear okay. Puts it back on has to jump mower again ....but once running he has the exact same result.

Any ideas on what might be the issue?

Cub Cadet sputters under load / dies

Alfalfa fall dormancy

What all exactly does the fall dormancy rating of alfalfa mean and how important is it to plant a variety that has the suggested dormancy for your region? The reason I ask is I have a field that I am planting alfalfa into this spring but I suspect I may have a weed issue in this field so I wanted to plant a roundup ready variety but didn't want to give up the leaf hopper resistance. I looked at the alfalfa variety leaflet and there were only a couple varieties that were both roundup ready and hopper resistant and they were all fall dormancy of 4. Here a fall dormancy of 5-7 is suggested. I have been using a variety with a dormancy of 5 and I have never actually seen it go fully dormant in the winter.....stayed green all winter but doesn't really grow in height. Is it going to hurt anything to plant a variety with a dormancy of 4 here?

Alfalfa fall dormancy

PDM60 Installation

Greetings Gang! I haven't posted in quite a while... (So long as a matter of fact, the last was before the X models came out. But I have been faithfully lurking!). Anyways, I thought I'd make a feeble attempt at a contribution as, once again I've used information here to assist with a repair on my 2011 RTV1100C. In this case, it was to complete a front left and right axle replacement. See excellent post by Bordercollie:

http://ift.tt/25rG372

In addition to replacing the front axles, I took the opportunity to install a used PDM60 I picked up on a motorcycle forum.

To preface, I could not find any previously posted information on the PDM60 or its installation on the forum. Please accept my apologies in advance if I somehow missed that information. For those of you that don't know, the PDM60 is an ignition triggered electronic fuse block. The one I installed is an older, non-programmable unit. The newer ones can be programmed to your liking. There are six circuits which combined will supply a total of 60 amps of fused power for whatever electronic gizmo you'd like to add to your RTV. There are 3-15A and 3-5A circuits. This particular unit is being used to fire my GoLight Stryker, so I have 5 circuits leftover. Eventually, I'd like to add an LED lightbar, and will just have to connect to one of the remaining 5 circuits when the time comes.
The first pic shows the PDM60 prior to installation.

The second pic shows a Posi-Tap connector I've used to connect the trigger wire to the solid yellow wire which exits the lower portion of the relay panel behind the seat and above the fuse panel. I could hear one of the relays clicking when the ignition key was turned on, so I just used my multimeter to locate the power-on circuit.

The third pic shows the main power wire for the PDM60 which I've attached to the main power wire (Lower of the two red wires. Top red wire is main power wire for relay panel.) for the relay panel.

In the last pic, in the dead center of the photo, is the bolt which fastens the fuse panel to the frame. There are two of these, one on either side of the fuse panel. I've taken a pic of the outer bolt of the two, because the inner bolt is very difficult to photograph. This location serves as an excellent main ground for the PDM60, which I've attached to the inner bolt of the two.

Hopefully, this will be helpful to someone.

With warmest regards,

Brian

Attached Images

	DPP_0030.jpg (44.8 KB)
	DPP_0031.jpg (44.9 KB)
	DPP_0032.jpg (45.9 KB)
	DPP_0033.jpg (54.4 KB)

PDM60 Installation

Mold In Hay

Successful Farmer....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/22SFgtp

Mold In Hay

Sub soil irragtion

I am totally new to sub soil drip irragtion, but the thoughts of never having to worry about drought again would be awesome! Where I live river land is more expensive to buy, but I wonder if the extra cost per acre could be offset by using sub soil drip irragtion with the increased tonnage of orchard grass and alfalfa? Wonder what kind of tonnage increase I could see per acre? The thought of farming less acres and making more hay per acre sounds great!

Sub soil irragtion

How much are you paying for seed?

I reseeded some pasture last fall. I paid $150 for a 50 lb bag. This spring its up to $199/bag.

This is a mix of red clover,white clover, Duo Festulolium, and two types of orchard grass.

I buy it at a company that blends and bags It as their own brand.

I just thought that price was plenty expensive...

Whats everyone else paying?

How much are you paying for seed?

Plunger Knives

Any tips on changing plunger knives on an 1839 Massey Baler? Should stationary be changed as well? Thanks

Plunger Knives

New Holland Discbine Tongue Weight????

Looking at the online manual for the Deere 600 series mower conditioner and the max vertical static load on the tractor's drawbar - tongue weights are as follows:


”Machine Weights

NOTE: Weights are with typical optional equipment.

Weights with other optional equipment will vary.

The maximum static vertical load for these machines is achieved with turn limiters installed.

Maximum Static Vertical Load on Tractor Drawbar-Specification

Specification

625 Mower-Conditioner -Weight: 1100 lbs
630 Mower-Conditioner -Weight: 1350 lbs
635 Mower-Conditioner -Weight: 1626 lbs"

Anyone know the tongue weights for the New Holland H7000 series discbines?

Thanks,
Bill

New Holland Discbine Tongue Weight????

Because We Own Land...

The discussion about painting prices in the shout box reminded me about invited thieves who come out to the ranch to offer their bids for work we need done.  Because we own and live on this beautiful ranch, these contractors must think we are loaded with money and they want to steal some of it for themselves.

 

A company bid $3800 to wire our 30 x 40 ft metal shop. I got it done for about 1/5th that price by working as the assistant to a retired electrician.

 

Another company came out and offered to lay crushed concrete on our 0.4 mi of ranch road at a price of $42,000. We already had a bid in hand for about 1/3rd that price if we were willing to wait until this company located and purchased a used crusher., We were attempting to find an equivalent bid from any company that could get the work done without having to be so patient. When my wife told the $42,000 offer people they were triple the lowest bed we had, these guys quickly lowered their bid to $24,000.  They had already placed some marker flags on part of the area near the shop by the time I arrived. Guess they were thinking we were a couple of easy targets.

 

Care to share your experiences...Happy Easter!

Because We Own Land...

Some auction prices from today

Consignment sale today.

 

 12 JD 568 baler with all the options 6800 bales $17,000

Kuhn 600 7' disc mower $5000??

Kuhn speed rake 12 wheel v rake $5200

side delivery rakes 250-$700 some were in pretty good shape

7' sickle mowers 300-$700

 

Some auction prices from today

Happy Easter

May you all be blessed this Easter.

Happy Easter

Krone moving North American headquarters

Going to Indiana

http://ift.tt/1LP9IRg

Krone moving North American headquarters

Wild Mustard

I've got wild mustard in a last fall planted alfalfa/orchard mix....Flower stems are shooting...can't use sencor...Should I go in and just top mow the stems off ? Alfalfa is only 3" tall , orchard bout the same

Wild Mustard

Birds foot trefoil for grazing??

Dose anyone use birds foot trefoil for pasture? Dose it grow in hot weather?

Birds foot trefoil for grazing??

John Deere HX15 vs Land Pride RCM5615 rotary cutters

Shopping around for a new batwing rotary cutter. Never run a batwing before but have used smaller cutters from both JD and LP in the past with good luck. Specs between these two look pretty similar. Will only be used for mowing pastures. The Deere is priced $2k higher from what I've checked so far. Which is going to the best all around mower? Or is there really not a huge difference, especially for just pasture mowing and given the price difference.

Also may have the chance to get a used Bush Hog 2615L for roughly 1/3 the cost of either of the new ones I mentioned. Has some dings and seen a few acres but been well maintained and I know the family who owns it. Would that be a better route than new? I don't particularly like the thought of spending a fortune on something that will only cover a couple hundred acres of pasture each year. I obviously don't expect to get as many years out of the used mower but I ought to run awhile at least.

Thoughts?

John Deere HX15 vs Land Pride RCM5615 rotary cutters

Owl boxes for pest control

Has anyone used owl boxes on their operation for pest control? I have heard both good and bad things about this method. Has it worked for you? Is it effective? Did you build your own box? Did you have to use another form of pet control along with it? Thanks in advance!

Owl boxes for pest control

Farm Machinery Values

AgWeb...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1RAEsBh

Farm Machinery Values

Making my own hay, not on my own land

I'll keep this short.  I have a coworker, good friend of mine too, just lives a mile or two down the road from me.  She just bought her house, has an acre of grass field she says I can bale.  I just have a little operation, 6 acres of my own and I put up another 7 acres with my neighbor as well for his cows.

 

My coworker's field has never had any love, and yield would be very low this first cutting.  She currently pays somebody just to come mow it as she doesn't want the grass tall.  Eventually she'd like to run some cows on it but doesn't know when that will be.  I will fertilize and spray her field to help my yields, and it will be mowed so she won't be paying anybody to do that.  So in essence, with me baling up her acre, I'm saving her the costs of having it mowed and I'll turn her ground into some very productive land by doing some of my own investment into it.

 

With this in mind, am I already doing enough for her? Or on top of that, should I offer her something per bale?  I won't be pulling a lot of hay off this field this year, it needs a lot of work.  I don't want to be unfair to her, but at the same time, I also do feel like she already is getting benefit from it too as she'll save the expense of paying somebody to mow it and she'll have a really nice grass field when she decides to use it for herself.  Which I'll happily use in the meantime, I just love making hay and am trying to grow a small operation.  But mostly, I just love making hay.

Making my own hay, not on my own land

Bale Wagon Pallets - Rodney R

I think I need to build some pallets this season.  My barn floor is stone dust covered with a layer of plastic, covered by more stone dust (to protect the plastic), covered with 4" of 1" crushed stone but my bottom bales still get dusty.  Nature of the New England humid weather I guess. For some reason, 2nd cut doesn't get dusty - only the 1st cut.  Laying down a layer of loose hay helps but I still have to make excuses for the bottom bales.  I run an old 1047 wagon, so based on previous posts the pallets should be about 72" deep and 108" wide.  It sounds like the wooden ones are preferred over the metal ones.  I was planning to get some pine 1 1/2"x4's sawn for the runners, and pine 3/4"x4's sawn for the cross pieces.  I'm not sure what to do for the metal mesh though, as the cattle panels at the local farm store are 8' or 16' wide, and I need 9'. Any suggestions? 

Bale Wagon Pallets - Rodney R

Cool Season Pastures

Getting ready for spring grazing

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1VLfRQk

Cool Season Pastures

Fire In Oklahoma And Kansas

Has burned 400,000 acre in 2 days!

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1SkdMYW

Fire In Oklahoma And Kansas

JD 625 MoCo

Thinkin of buying one of these , Not familiar with "impeller" style crimping....Good for alfalfa ? Looks like Deere has done a lot of improving on the disc cutter end ? Thanx......Tater

JD 625 MoCo

What mistakes do people often make when designing their own corral?

I would like to hear some of your thoughts on this. What mistakes are common when designing and building a corral? I have heard designing the alley way too big is one. Thanks in advance!

What mistakes do people often make when designing their own corral?

New Holland 276 baler/ thrower

So last hay season I bought a new baler, a new holland 276, sure the hell beats using an allis Chalmers 303! Only real bad thing I've noticed about this baler is that it chews the strings off in the thrower. The model # is 54A, and from the research that I have done it appears that this is the thrower for a 273 and 275. It also appears that a model #70 is the actual right thrower for the baler. Any feedback or knowledge of a 276 with a #70 thrower would be greatly appreciated!

New Holland 276 baler/ thrower

It's Spring in East Tennessee

East Tennessee is greening up. Here is a short video of new orchard grass stand I planted last fall

https://youtu.be/NL0PUbGRT_A

It's Spring in East Tennessee

sewer jetter

anyone here have any experience with one of those jetter things that goes on a pressure washer? I have a 300 foot line that is restricted with mostly sediment i need to clean out so i bought one and need advice from those with experience.:shitHitsFan:

sewer jetter

New Holland H7450 exploded view on my shop floor

I've been working through the bar on my 7450. Replacing a few gear sets and drive shafts, drive knuckles, cleaning it up and servicing. Kinda looks like a mess but got all the parts now so it will be back together soon. Cost $2600 in parts but that's a lot cheaper than a new machine!

New Holland H7450 exploded view on my shop floor

MF 1359, 1363 & 1366 Mower Conditioner Roller Questions

Looking at the MF mower conditioners, 1359, 1363 and 1366 - they have a rubber on rubber set of rollers as an option.  This rubber (I've seen this on a 1359) looks to be milled rubber.  It has shallow herringbone pattern - looks almost (if not) identical to the older ticor rollers - except milled rubber vs tire/belting laminate.

 

Here is a link to the brochure - look at page 10:

 

 http://ift.tt/1VEDZEe

 

The brochure text says, "Rubber-on-Rubber Rolls Featuring a herringbone tread pattern that helps improve windrow formation, our rubber-on-rubber rolls are designed for those who prefer more crushing-type conditioning action. The shallow lugs minimize leaf damage compared to deep-lug urethane rollers that tend to scuff the crop and damage the leaves."

 

Question is - anyone have any experience with this type roller on these machines?  How do they hold up.  I have concerns that they might be easily damaged (as they appear to be soft) vs the old ticor rollers and could potentially delaminate.

 

What kind of hay would you run through these rollers, grass, legumes?

 

Any experiences would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Bill

 

p.s

 

I like the 1359 and other than the rubber on rubber rollers, the only other option is steel on steel rollers.  Don't know if I want to go that route.  I wish the ticor was still available.

MF 1359, 1363 & 1366 Mower Conditioner Roller Questions

John Deere 1010 Distributor

Does anyone have a drawing of the distributor in a 62 John Deere 1010 special? My rotor is not turning and before I pull the dist. I would like to know what might stay in the engine.
thank you
Kenny

John Deere 1010 Distributor

Tips for buying used rotary rake

Found a Kuhn ga 4121 gth '07 model, they're asking $5800. It's about a 2.5 hrs drive.

Anyone own one? Do you like it?
Any weak points you know of?
Thanks!

Tips for buying used rotary rake

cheat grass/downy brome control

I killed off and drilled smooth brome on a field back in fall of 2014. It takes smooth brome a year before you really get a good stand. Everything has started to green up here and grass is starting to grow. I'm noticing in spots what appears to be cheat or downy brome. Anyone know of a good way to control the cheat/downy with out killing the smooth brome I'm trying to grow. 
 

cheat grass/downy brome control

Warm Season Grasses

Complimentary to KY 31 fescue....from Progressive Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1WH01Vj

Warm Season Grasses

Security Cameras

From Progressive Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1XLl8G5

Security Cameras

Mad Cow?

France....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/25kmL3r

Mad Cow?

Alfalfa Stand Issues

I was wanting to post a couple of pics on some of my alfalfa.  Looks like I have some kind of pest but have no clue what it is.  I know it is making a decent alfalfa patch look pretty weak.  There is a milky looking sac at the base of the alfalfa stem.  Let me know if you have any thoughts......

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

Alfalfa Stand Issues

Small Power shift tractors

Anyone have a small (under 100HP) powershift tractor with 4WD & cab that's short and light?
Something with a 4 cylinder that's got a tight turn radius?
Nice for loader work in tight spaces.
Maybe pre-tier 4? Not something new and $70,000 lol

Smallest I can find are MF/Challenger with Dyna 4 and Kubota M100X.
Any others?

Small Power shift tractors

Nurse Cow

I have not had a true nurse cow here in a few years. One of my big cows came up lame. Vet thinks it is the stifle. He said to sell her while she could still get around. She was heavy bred and my stubborn constitution decided to work with her. She calved and cow weaker. Gave her CMPK and bute. She is still trying but can not get up on her own. Her calf is a good one so I decided to buy a nurse cow. The calf will pay for the cow.

A dairy friend sold me a nice young cow. Picked her up Saturday, roped the calf and put him in the pen Sunday. She has not entirely adopted him but he has laid claim to her.

It is an adjustment for a dairy cow to figure out the new milking machine.

 

Daisey upon arrival. Tied so the calf can nurse. Her letting him nurse freely. The calf is 2 weeks old.

Attached Thumbnails

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Nurse Cow

Grinders/Mixers

Machinery Pete says they are hot!

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1ppMZgB

Grinders/Mixers

Bale film

Was wondering if anyone knows where a bale film supplier is nears faribault mn. I just bought a Anderson Hybrid X for custom work for my first job. Im new to Wrapping and custom work, I'm only 22. So any info will be greatly appreciated!! THnks!!

Bale film

Bale film

Was wondering if anyone knows where a bale film supplier is near faribault MN. Started my first custom bale Wrapping now looking for plastic dealer near me. Any info will help thanks!!

Bale film

Reinoculating seed

With this new field I inherited, I got given a 4 bags of Cisco 328 that the inoculant has expired (in Feb) - I was going to use it to topdress one of my mixed fields to beef it up. Is it worth re-inoculating the seed before I drill it in? Anyone done it with alfalfa seed before?

Reinoculating seed

Rhino tedder good or bad?

Anyone seen/owned or used a Rhino Tedder?   A nearly new 4 rotor is for sale locally. Thanks for any input. Jim.

Rhino tedder good or bad?

Best practices for Bermuda seeding or sprigs and fertiliztion

Good morning farmer and ranchers,

 

I have 25 acres about 30 miles south of Sealy, black gumbo clay in an area Cotton and maize thrive.  I have disc the pasture land, have weeds and native Bermuda coming up and I am looking for the following and in what order...

 

>  Bermuda seeding or spriging?

 

>  What's the best type of Bermuda seed?   Best sprig?

 

>  Should I spray for weeds first then seed or sprig?   Or after seeding

 

>  Should I fertilize with the seed or weeks after I see it coming up?

 

I'm leaning towards seeding, for don't anyone down here who would sprig the grass in???

 

Thank you for your suggestions!

 

Be safe,

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

Best practices for Bermuda seeding or sprigs and fertiliztion

replacing axle oil seal - new position?

I finally got the rear axle / reduction box from my NH 1425 completely disassembled and now it's time to install the new oil seals.   In reading about oil seal installation, I came across this site which tells me NOT to install the seal in the same location on the axle as the old seal.  As far as I can tell, this is actually possible on the NH 1425 as the bore in which the seal sits is considerably deeper than the width of the seal so I could push it further into the bore with a simple shoulder on the press tool.

 

Indeed there is a shallow but perceptible wear groove in the axle where the old seal rode.   But it's real smooth and clean.

 

Is this really important?   What do the voices of experience say about this issue?   Thanks!

 

 

replacing axle oil seal - new position?

Dry matter yield test??

I was looking at certain dry matter yield data for different orchard grasses. My question is when they call it dry say 3 tons per year yield. Is that at zero moisture in the hay or is there a certain moisture they are at to give there yield data?

To me dry matter is zero moisture but, just want to make sure I'm reading it right.

Dry matter yield test??

1037 bale wagon question

Just purchased a 1037 last week, got it home and hooked it up to tractor. I have used 1033 wagons in the past. I can't get the first table to go up unless I reach under and trip it manually by to valve. One thing I noticed that is different is there is a rod connecting the auto tie to the normal first table trip. The header was down so that wasn't holding it out. The other thing I noticed was on a 1033 as soon the trip the leaver for the second table it goes up and comes down. On this 1037 as soon let the leaver go the table comes back down. I guess there was one more issue, when I got it home the rolling rack had slid back 3/4 of the way. It has a cylinder on it and the controls say auto tie and rolling rack forward. I tried that and the rolling rack never moved

1037 bale wagon question

Hustler Zero Turn

Did not see this one last year.....pretty cool.

 

Regards, Mike

 

Hustler Zero Turn

Tying knots

Still can't get my knots to stay together when joining poly twine balls so my baler always missed two bales when switching. I've been using a square knot and there's no way I can get it to come apart when I tie it but some how the baler fairies get it apart lol. Any other knots you all would recommend trying?

Tying knots

Torque setting on new 5070 baler drive clutch

Well I got me a new baler and want to have it tuned to perfection for the upcoming season. I read in the instruction manual that I need to "warm the clutch" before checking  the torque it takes to make it slip. I am fabricating the tool and got a scale to pull the 150lbs needed for the test.  The manual says trip the knotter and rotate flywheel forward then backwards till the needle protection latch and then roll flywheel until crank arm is against the needle protection latch. I can do this. The next step gives me heartburn and would like to hear from someone that has done it.  The book says engage PTO and let the drive clutch slip due to resistance from needle protection latch for 30 seconds to warm the clutch before checking the torque  with the tool. I would expect the clutch to be smoking.  Anyone done this?

 

Thanks,

 

DonMc

Torque setting on new 5070 baler drive clutch

1980 JD 346 Wire Tie Baler Maintenance

I am in the process of putting new billhooks and the billhook shafts on the baler.  I've done the billhooks before and they were easy but never have tried to replace the shafts.  It looks like the shaft is held by a roll pin that is attached to the gear drive.  I've run through my operator's manual but no joy.  If any of you have replaced the shafts, is it just a matter of getting the right sized punch and knocking the roll pins out? I've attached a photo of what I think is the roll pin.  Appreciate any help.....

Attached Thumbnails

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1980 JD 346 Wire Tie Baler Maintenance

CATTLE PANELS

Looking for a really good deal on panels . Looking for the simple field kind . the type you'd get at rural king for 18-20 bucks . I have a lot of fence to put up in woods and I prefer panels . But I would like to buy in bulk and usually that means cheaper . Any ideas ,contacts, tips , would be appreciated .

CATTLE PANELS

seading thin spots of alfalfa plant or spray first

I have some spots of my alfalfa that in am going to reseed. It is round-up ready and there is just a little bit of green in the bald spots should I plant and let it come up or spray first?

seading thin spots of alfalfa plant or spray first

How much for a good burn down

I am going to try to spray a field and replant it. I will be spraying with cornerstone and was thinking a quart per acre but after reading the label I am not sure how much per acre I need. How much do you guys spray per acre when you are spraying for a good burn down? I would also like to know how long I need to wait after spraying before I replant? The field I am spraying doesn't have a lot of weeds or grass so there isn't a lot to get rid of.

How much for a good burn down

2015 Beef Windup

AgWeb...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/25cQj2P

2015 Beef Windup

Time of day to spary

Having trouble getting in my hay fields to spray due to rains and high winds during the mornings and early afternoons.  Looking at the winds for this week predicts winds for almost every day in the 12-18 mph except for some later afternoons.  I've always been told to not spray in the later afternoons as the plants are not as active in absorbing the chemicals.  Anyone got any thoughts on spraying later in the afternoon with paraquat, etc.

Time of day to spary

Asian Beef Demand.

To benefit US.....hopefully.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1nYmBNg

 

 

Asian Beef Demand.

Which windrower to buy?

So I'm looking at upgrading from my old hw340 windrower to a new one. I'm keeping my options open to which brand I'll go too at this stage but be either new holland 240 or John Deere R450 or Massey 9860 all with disc fronts. So like to hear everyone's thoughts and which has best condition rollers in them. Queensland Australia so do a lot of thick stalk forage etc. any help from the guys over seas would be nice as you guys are always ahead of us in the way of new hay gear. Thanks brad

Which windrower to buy?

Horse owners are all different

First off I am a long ways from being an Expert regarding Horse Owners, & Their feeding habits.

 

 

I have been in the Creech KY Hay Warehouse.  They cater to the different Horse Farm Ways.

If a stable has a driving desire for something exotic, Creech  will get it for them.

I will say, Most Breeding Farms have very conventional ideas.

Usually their animals spend their nights in a stall in a really nice barn.  In the barn stall there is a  touch of alfalfa. 

 

Some have an idea that a Ohio Wheat Straw is the perfect bedding material.

Though at least one will use a clean grass hay for a bedding material. Every Morning the owner or Manager walks the isles and if any horses are not nibbling on their bedding material, that hay is pulled and replaced with fresh hay.  This soiled, & picked over bedding is then fed to their cattle.

 

During the day these horses are in paddocks. Maybe 5 mares to a paddock, but just one stud to his own paddock. each paddock has one or more stocker cattle who clean up the grass the horses leave untouched.

Creech makes it coming and going.  He will haul off the ruined straw bedding for the Stables.
Bales this straw in a large industrial baler and ships this straw to the  Pennsylvania Mushroom Growers.
I suspect any of us would be happy to subsist on his straw disposal income.

I used to know a now retired Idaho Alfalfa Grower who had more ground in pivot tracks than I have in my whole farm. 

 

 

My farm is on the line between the Arid West and the Humid East. 
We should be irrigated, but we do not have the water.

Horse owners are all different

more herbicide for spring

http://ift.tt/1nXRHVg

more herbicide for spring

turn signals

what does it take to add turn signals to a "06" RTV900 that doesn't have them? Thanks.

turn signals

Clemson Hay Field Day

April 16th

 

http://ift.tt/1nX5mMc

 

 

 

Clemson Hay Field Day

Picloram+D also know as Grazon P+D??

Planted 25 acres of orchard grass last August and now have a awesome stand, but of course I gotta spray it. Dead nettle is my main weed, but had some pig weed in it last year. After researching picloram+d also known as grazon p+d it seems to be a lot more effective on dead nettle and the other few weeds I have in the stand. Also read it has a long residual so I'm hoping what pig weed I may still have will be controlled. What's everybodys thoughts on it? Will it harm first year grass at all? Right now it's 8-12" tall and growing beautifully.

Picloram+D also know as Grazon P+D??

Grazon P+D??

Planted 25 acres of orchard grass last August and now have a awesome stand, but of course I gotta spray it. Dead nettle is my main weed, but had some pig weed in it last year. After researching grazon p+d it seems to be a lot more effective on dead nettle and the other few weeds I have in the stand. Also read it has a long residual so I'm hoping what pig weed I may still have will be controlled. What's everybodys thoughts on it? Will it harm first year grass at all? Right now it's 8-12" tall and growing beautifully.

Grazon P+D??

bale wagon

anyone know where a person can find a clutch pawl for a 56 bale wagon?

bale wagon

bale wagon

anyone know where a person can find a clutch pawl for a 56 bale wagon?

bale wagon

WANTED Head for RTV1100

I'm looking for a good used head for my RTV 1100. Engine is a D1105. I also have an 1100 that I'm parting out. sadly this one also had a cracked head but has a lot of good used parts. Please let me know your needs.

Thanks for any help!

Attached Images

IMG_20160318_192625.jpg (47.4 KB)

WANTED Head for RTV1100

Need advice on a rake

I am looking for advice on which type of rake;

We are a smaller operation, cut and bale mixed grass hay on 200 acres or less once a year (climate allows only one cut)

The ground is a bit sloped and hilly in places, some flat lands, nothing too extreme.

We have been using a Fella rotary rake for 12 years and like it, but want something to cover more ground per pass.

A twin rotor rotary would work but is out of our price range.

Looking at purchasing a carted 8 wheel Vee rake, but am concerned it might not work well on the ups and downs of our hilly/sloped areas.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

Need advice on a rake

Need Help with Guidance for Spraying

We're looking for some sage advice, please.  We are a small operation in central TX. We have about 16 acres of coastal bermuda that we round bale. We spray the field ourselves with our 38HP Kubota tractor and a small sprayer with about a 13 foot boom. We spray mostly to control grass burs and johnson grass. We only got 1 cutting in 2015 but our neighbor who bales for us said it was the best hay he had seen all year. We kept some of the round bales for our horses and they are thriving. 

 

We are looking for advice on how to spray straight lines with minimal overlap and to avoid missing large swaths. 

 

Here are some things we've tried since I got my applicator license 2 years ago. Remember - we're tenderfoot beginners with limited resources. First year we tried a homemade foamer. My husband got the idea from youtube    He put tubing down the boom that was attached to a small air compressor. It was fantastic until the compressor burned out 3/4 way through "the spray." The next time we tried a better compressor and the same thing happened. We ended up missing an entire swath so I was out there with a wheel barrow cutting grass burs off a few weeks later before they matured. THAT was fun.  But - we are now ready to spray again in about a week. I have looked and looked for Apps on my phone to help with GPS spraying. The only one I've found is one called Farm Spryer for my iPhone which is way too small and is not very accurate. You have to stare at the phone, try to drive and the gps picture of your swath is behind you instead of guiding you. We've tried to figure a way to mount a tablet but ?? Do any of you have an App that works really well that you could recommend? Our neighbor says to follow your tractor tracks but that certainly hasn't worked. I've asked all around and looked on eBay, etc for for used foamers. Some locals sort of chuckle and keep their "secret spraying advice" to themselves. Or they have huge equipment and a big business. I would like some advice from others who may have faced the same challenge. Thanks in advance for anything that has worked for you..we love our hay and want to keep it that way

Need Help with Guidance for Spraying

Harvest Tec automatic applicator moisture accuracy

How accurate is the moisture tester on the harvest Tec system? I have a bht-2 moisture meter and it is way off. I know some on here like the bht-2 but I have no faith in mine at all. I would like to get a automatic applicator, but if it's moisture meter is as off as my bht-2 it would be useless to me. Also has harvest Tec ironed out the kinks in the automatic applicator. I have ready bad and good reviews. Also how good does the automatic on option work?

Harvest Tec automatic applicator moisture accuracy

Ipads And Harvest Tec

From AgNews.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/22n5G9Q

Ipads And Harvest Tec

Krone 4 basket tedder

I bought a new 4 basket tedder this past spring. Hooked it to 4430 Deere and it wouldn't raise off the ground. Pressure checked out at 2300 psi. Increased pressure to 2500. Still would not lift. Hooked up to neighbors 5525 @ 2800, worked good. Why would Krone make a machine with such a small lift cylinder that requires that much pressure to operate? Not everyone has new tractors. Any one know what I might do to make it work on 30 series Deere? Don't want to turn pressure up on that old of tractor. I probably wouldn't ever buy anything else from Krone if this is any indication of how their equipment is built. Thanks for any help.

Krone 4 basket tedder

Spring Challenges

Calving and early forages.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1XwxTnT

Spring Challenges

BB330 New Holland 3x3 square baler

I am casually looking at one of these. Is it a good baler? I've been told the Massey/Heston and Krone balers are better. It is a new baler held over from the first year of production. It has steerable tandems, crop cutter, hydraulic chute, scale, camera and color touch screen monitor. What should it be worth?

Just looking for your observations, comments, and input. I keep talking about making this leap but it's a big jump! Thanks!

BB330 New Holland 3x3 square baler

Side by side utility vehicles

I'm looking at getting a utility vehicle for around the farm. The main uses will be for checking/making fence, pulling the water wagon out to the pastures, and picking rocks into the box. I've looked around a little and they all have some good points. My neighbor had an older Polaris ranger, seemed nice but the last couple of years it seemed to have enough repairs. Just looking for any advice I can get, good or bad.

Thanks
Chris

Side by side utility vehicles

big square bale accumulator

I have BB940 and am looking at a bb9060 I don't have an accumulator yet but am going to need to get 2 if I purchase this other baler. Any one have ideas on what brand to look at? Massey, Stack2 these are just a couple I found. Thanks for any input.

big square bale accumulator

Grazing restrictions on pasture herbicides

http://ift.tt/1puEuF6

Grazing restrictions on pasture herbicides

Simpco Bale Separater and EZ Unroller

Would like input from a current user of either of these machines.

Simpco Bale Separater and EZ Unroller

Problem with 1431 New Holland discbine

Have a 1431 discbine, with rubber rolls, that i put a brand new cutterhead on in the spring of 2014. During 4th cutting in 2015 I started to break the drive belts. Turtles appear to all be in time. Checked all fluids in each gear box and checked each gear on the cutterhead. All oil levels were the same as when i checked them before 2015 hay season. Could I be dealing with a bad slip clutch? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, J.

Problem with 1431 New Holland discbine

Wheat Balage? High moister hay?

Last fall I planted about 16 acres of wheat, did it as a cover crop/option for early spring grazing if needed.  By the looks of things now I think I'm going to be doing very well on my pastures and will have the wheat as an excess.  Will it work for me to cut it and roll it up as balage?  If so at what stage would I want to cut it?  I'm only feeding about 50 head of beef cattle so I don't need real high dollar feed, but am wondering what the quality would be for winter feed if done this way.  I'm a little far out, and with only 16 acres I won't have anyone wanting to come in with a combine to harvest it that way so balage or pasture is about my only options I think???

 

Wheat Balage? High moister hay?

Cow Rub

We will be moving the cattle to the new pens and pasture soon. They have been here at the ranch and enjoying rubbing on trees, trucks, tractors, bbq's, sheds etc... The new pens are fairly sterile for that kind of stuff. I am thinking of building a rub of sorts. Please post a photo of any homemade structure that you like. I might just get a new F-350 for the cattle as they really like the mirrors for a good scratch!

Cow Rub

Periodical Cicadas

Looks like for those in the lower part of the Northeast and extreme eastern Mid-west, you will be visited by Brood V of the Periodical Cicada....and I see that these bugs are found no where in the world except the eastern US. 

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1UfBbxF

Periodical Cicadas

Ag Loans

If you need a loan, you might want to research AgAmerica....here is some info. Obviously not for everyone, but they are a source.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1LTeF4p

Ag Loans

2016 Haying Photos and Videos

Teslan said we needed to start a new photo and video thread for this year so here it goes.

 

Here's some of the calves so far this season.

 

 

 

2016 Haying Photos and Videos

Does a B6000 FEL fit a B7000 frame?

Hi Folks,
I am seriously looking at sourcing a B7000 4wd as I am having headaches with my recent purchase of a B6000 4wd with FEL due to the ccw PTO and limited 2 point linkage!
I was thinking of trying to pick up a B7000 and transferring over the FEL from the B6000 to B7000.
Does anyone know if this is possible? they seem like possibly similiar sizes!
Any suggestions much welcome! Thanks from Ireland.

Does a B6000 FEL fit a B7000 frame?

Raking For Drying Hay - Anyone Do This Anymore????

Edit - meant this to go into the Alfalfa/Hay section - been a long day...

 

Grass hay - timothy, orchard grass, teff....

 

Laying down some thoughts going into this Summer's hay season and how best to approach it for "us" and our time schedules after the day job is finished for the day/weekend.

 

With tedders on the scene - pretty much everything I read and see is - folks ted their hay, then another day rake and immediately bale - same day.  Baling right behind the rake.

 

"Windrow" comes to mind.  Is the concept of using a windrow to dry down hay obsolete now with a tedder?

 

As an example, I'm thinking we are going to (again around the day job schedule) cut/condition via haybine on a Thursday evening after work, ted the next morning after the dew is coming off, rake on Saturday and bale on Sunday.  4 day turn around.

 

All of the above assumes the weather cooperates....

 

Want the hay to be dry and want to retain as much color as possible.

 

I'm not sure we can make 3 day hay in our mountains, but we are open to it - especially with having a haybine now.  Also considering adding some propionic acid too.  3 day hay would definitely be new territory for us.

 

But - fluffy windrows - only purpose these days - for you're operation, just to get the hay lined up for the baler - drying was taken care of by mower/conditioner and tedding.  Are you baling right behind the rake?

 

Is the idea of raking - for drying, the day before just an oblosete idea from days gone by when there were no tedders?

 

It would free up a lot of labor, tractors and utilize available time around the day job to rake the day before baling - and MAYBE utilize the "wind" to dry out the windrow.

 

Just curious.

 

Thanks!

Bill

Raking For Drying Hay - Anyone Do This Anymore????

Recommended Alfalfa Seed

I live in the south central Indiana area and trying to decide on which alfalfa seed to purchase. I am planting 20 acres and wondered if anyone has used Elk Mountain Seed Co. Leader seed? Open to any suggestions on a better seed. I know nothing of what I am doing with this new crop.

Thanks,

Gary

Recommended Alfalfa Seed

Looking for tips on tedding

First, a little background:

 

My brother and I are in our 60's, third generation of the family to own our Central NY farm. Our main moneymaker is vegetables, but we also bale 50-60 acres of alfalfa/grass horse hay in small squares to sell retail out of the barn. We learned how to make hay as teenagers from our father and grandfather, and do it basically the same way they did. (Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!) Our customers, and more importantly their horses, all love the hay we make, so we must be doing something right. Our vegetable work prevents us from baling hay until June 10-15, but that's OK because before that haying weather is very iffy, at best. In 2015, June was impossible because of rain, and we really couldn't get much of anything baled until mid-July.

 

Our basic method is this: We cut in the evening with a 9-foot Oliver haybine, spreading the swath out as far as we can. We might mow in the morning if the previous day's activities get in the way, but prefer not to because the haybine works better if things are dry. The hay then sits a full day, and is usually ready to rake with our old John Deere rake around the time the dew is fully off the second day, say 11:00-noon.and is ready to bale 1-2 hours later. We bale with an Oliver 62T baler, no kicker, one of us loading by hand. This procedure varies, of course, depending on the weather.

 

We've never had a tedder, though there were times when we wished we had one. The old haybine tends to gather and drop clumps of hay when the hay gets tall, as it did in 2015. When we mow when it's wet, the hay sometimes doesn't dry evenly. And of course if it gets "rinsed" after it's been raked, it needs to be spread back out to dry quicker. So we wanted a tedder, but financial consederations prevented our buying one.

 

Until now. A neighbor has to quit farming because of age and health, and he has given us his old tedder. He says it's a Fahr, but there's no identifying plate on it. We've identified it as a Kuhn GF 440T, a 12-foot four-basket tedder. It has some problems, but nothing that looks like it can't be repaired. There are equivalent John Deere and New Holland models, with dealers for each brand within 12 miles, so getting parts shouldn't be a problem.

 

But I'm unsure of the best time to use the tedder. Our hay is mostly an alfalfa/grass mix, a bit heavier on the grass, as that's what the horse owners around here favor these days. (25 years ago, they wanted lots of alfalfa. Go figure.) Most of the grass is timothy, but there's some canarygrass, and quackgrass has a tendency to invade after a while. Our grandfather didn't have the canarygrass, but it actually makes a good horse hay if you don't wait too long to cut it. Under good conditions, I think we don't even need to use the tedder at all, but "good" conditions have become rarer in recent years. I'm thinking the best time for us to ted under not-so-good conditions would be on the first day after cutting, soon after the dew dries off.

 

Anybody have any other suggestions?

 

Looking for tips on tedding

Kellogg's

Did you notice a yellow tinge to your cereal milk awhile back?

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/22ijgYQ

Kellogg's

Monsanto....again.

They just love to be hated....pure suckup deflection.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1QUDzaW

 

 

Monsanto....again.

National Ag Day Poster

This years poster was designed by a young lady from Minnesota.....this is my favorite poster....really nice. I ordered a couple this morning.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1XqeVPG

 

 

National Ag Day Poster

Leasing a bandit?

Ok I unexpectedly picked up more alfalfa ground and now I just found out that 55 acres behind me is for sale because the 98 year old owner passed away. More alfalfa great, owning 55 more acres great! Now handling more bales with a bale a kicker not great! Paying for 55 acres of land NOT great at all so wish this would of happend 3 years in the future, but I know that I will forever regret not buying it. So I was planning on buying a new bandit next year, but what about leasing. GFC says they have companies that will lease them. Does anyone know the terms and if not what kinda of terms should be acceptable if I were to lease a bandit this year? Leases are foreign to me, but there's a chance it might just work for me.

Leasing a bandit?

Freeman Baler Age

I bought a Freeman 200 today to do some retail hay with.  Anyone know how to determine the age from the serial number?  First Freeman baler I have ever owned but wish I would have bought 370's instead of the NH 505's 25 years ago when we went to 3 tie.  The big baler will still bale 95% of the hay but I wanted a 2 tie for feeding the horses and some retail hay to sell.

Attached Thumbnails

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Freeman Baler Age

BH-2 and JD457

Just bought a BH-2 with two sets of sensors.  One for my NH570 and one for my JD457.  There was just ample discussion on mounting the sensors for a square baler.  Just curious, for those of you useing them in a JD round baler did you follow the mounting instructions provided or is there a beller way to do it?  Thanks.  rick

BH-2 and JD457

AgPhD....Rainfast Times Plus

I have posted rainfast charts for Herbs and Pests for several years. This chart from AgPhD goes beyond that with minimum temps, max wind, and max psi. This would be a excellent chart to bookmark.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/250jxC3

AgPhD....Rainfast Times Plus

BHT-2 & Krone Round Baler

Do any of you guys run a moisture meter setup on Krone round balers?  I picked up a Fortima last year and would like to put a BHT-2 on it just so I can monitor things however was unsure if it will give good readings.  It looks as though you mount the sensors near the lower portion of the bale chamber so I don't think being a "soft core" bale will really affect it to much.

 

Just double checking as I have read where its kind of pointless on a chain and slat baler.

 

Thanks,

-Matt

BHT-2 & Krone Round Baler

NH 1036 minimum bale length

Hello folks,

 

I have been checking this place out for a while but now it is time to join and ask a question.

 

I am looking for a New Holland bale wagon. Most of the hay I make is round bales but for the small number of small squares I do it is getting harder to find the labour to handle them.

 

The majority of bale wagons available here in Australia are 1012 and 1034. I had not considered a 1036 because they seemed to be for long bales, and I use 36 inch bales for their convenience in manual stacking. However, I can see benefits in the 1036 (compactness compared with 3-wide wagons that would fit my sheds better, better hydraulics than 1012, ability to handle part loads, remote control). But the specifications say it has a minimum bale length requirement of 38 inches. I note that the 1030 specifications mention a minimum length of 38 inches, yet the 1032 specifications say 36 inches minimum.

 

My question is how would a 1036 perform if I tried to feed it with 36 inch bales. The bales are 14 by 18 inches, made by an IH 440.

 

Thanks,

Roger

NH 1036 minimum bale length

Wiring Harness?

I bought an Auxbeam light bar that I was going to install and was surprised to find the fuse panel under the seat and not under the hood. I noticed that there were some wire loom hookups under the hood. Did you guys tap into the fuse panel or run a circuit from the battery? I thought I might be able to hookup to one of the looms and run a switch. I like a nice neat clean look without wires running everywhere. My lightbar is only a 9" 54watt lightbar, so it isn't pulling many amps. Also, does the service manual have a good schematic of the wiring? I know the manual that came with the RTV is very vague and just showed the fuse listings.

Wiring Harness?

Agco Parts

Anyone know of an Agco dealer who offers discount on parts? Thanks

Agco Parts

Inline three tie balers Hesston vs New Holland vs Freeman

Wanting to know why the Hesston design as came out on top over the years? Heston definitely holds resale valve higher than any other three tie inline.

 

I know of some problems associated with marketing inline bales in the export market. Cut side on the twine, doesn't always flake great, overseas buyers think they look funny and if one brand did a better job of overcoming these problems that would make sense but I haven't herd anyone say that.

 

I guess along with that thought I can't remember anyone saying something bad about their Hesston. I have heard people say the New Holland had too many moving parts (maybe the feed system?) and the Freeman had flywheel drive belt problems. Was there other problems with the Hesston 4690, MF 1843/1844, New Holland 585/BB900 or Freeman 1390?

 

Also how many stokes per bale do you do in grass vs alfalfa with a three tie inline?

 

And how does the MF 1844 being only available in PTO and non-swinging tongue affect your replacement decisions?  

Inline three tie balers Hesston vs New Holland vs Freeman

What's the lowest moisture content a self-propelled forage harvester can handle?

Suppose we mow the forage, spread it wide, use a tedder, then a rake to make a windrow and then use a machine like a Claas Jaguar to pick it up, chop and shoot it into a trailer... how dry could we make that forage? 

 

Besides that, I want to use a controlled traffic farming system, and that is another reason why I like the idea of baling the forage, because the baler can follow the same tracks as the other machinery.

 

In the case of forage harvesting, I have seen photos/videos of a tractor and trailer following behind a SPFH but if the trailer fills up before reaching the end of the windrow, it would have to veer off the tracks to allow another trailer to come up behind the SPFH.

 

So then another option is for the trailer to run along the next set of wheel tracks to one side, so then the question is what's the maximum distance between the SPFH and trailer in order to get the forage inside the trailer? If the distance between the centre of one set of wheel tracks and the next set is 6-metres, would it work? 

What's the lowest moisture content a self-propelled forage harvester can handle?

Krone Bellima Round Balers

Searching for a new round baler.

Does anyone run these?  There are none around here and out of my small circle of farming friends there seems to be a consensus to stay away from them...  From what I see online they look to be very popular over seas.  So what do you all think?

Any info would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Krone Bellima Round Balers

How many gallons per acre?

Right now I'm using 20 gallons per acre with my sprayer when spraying 24d on my orchard grass and round up on my alfalfa. Talking to my friend and he says he uses 10. I would love to use 10, but don't want to sacrifice coverage. What does everyone on here use?

How many gallons per acre?

New Ads, after 1st post

It's all my fault.
I have contracted with a company to put the ads there in hopes of helping pay the costs for the site. Donations are great and I sure appreciate all who do donate but there are not enough of you. I understand money can be hard to come by.

By putting ads after the first post this gives all those lurkers a chance to support the site by clicking on an ad once in awhile. We get a lot of clicks here a month thanks to your all's interesting posts. Now we can generate revenue via these ads to help pay the bills.

I hope you understand and do not mind.

Thanks,
Doc

New Ads, after 1st post

Farmall cub coolant in oil

I have a couple problems. I have a 1953 Farmall cub we rarely used, so figured to sell it. It sat over the winter. Went out today to check oil and start it. Dip stick was 2 inches above full. Took oil pan plug out and straight coolant, about a quart flowed out and then the oil. I don't know much about engines but know this is bad.  I want to sell this like I said, but don't know how to fix. Question is should I find a fix or not. If not then how do I list this tractor not wanting to screw anyone? Also, how do I price it? Thanks

Farmall cub coolant in oil

Maximum moisture content for baling fresh forage (no wilting)?

First let me explain that we don't want to make silage but we want to bale the forage in order to transport it to our factory.

 

Ideally, we will remove as much moisture as we can in the field to reduce hauling costs and drying costs in the factory. But some days the weather will not allow that, so on such days, it would be handy if we could bale right behind the mower.

 

Does anybody know:

 

( a ) What is the maximum moisture content that can be baled?

 

( b ) What kind or specific brand/model of baler could do that? 

 

I expect the fresh forage at time of cutting will be about 85% moisture (if anyone thinks/knows differently, let me know). 

 

Thanks. 

 

 

Maximum moisture content for baling fresh forage (no wilting)?

John deere 270 vs John deere275

I am going to look at two used disc mowers one is a 270 JD the other is a 275 dose anyone have any insight in these two is one better than the other any advice would be great thanks.

John deere 270 vs John deere275

Anybody use this baler mounted meter? Opinions?

http://ift.tt/1Rc4drn

Just ran across this and wanted to get some opinions. I would be using it on a NH 273 hayliner in mostly fescue. Any thoughts?

Anybody use this baler mounted meter? Opinions?

New hay barn completed

A few months ago I posted that I was planning to build a new hay barn.   Well now it is complete.   I went with a local builder as opposed to Morton buildings who we previously have used to build barns.   The local guy was about the same price as Morton, but offered overhead doors rather then the slider doors that I'm absolutely sick of on our current barns.    I'm even considering having this guy convert our current buildings to overhead doors later this year I like them so much.  Also the quality was better I felt.   This barn when totally full should hold about 1500 3x3 bales.   Though I hope never to have it completely full.   Meaning I hope to be selling fast enough that it won't be full all the time.  It is 60x152.  18 feet to the trusses.  

 

IMG_2708 by Marc Oster, on Flickr

 

IMG_2706 by Marc Oster, on Flickr

 

IMG_2701 by Marc Oster, on Flickr

New hay barn completed

Argentine Beef

AgNews...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1SDQy1T

Argentine Beef

Steffen 15 bale accumulator

Does anyone know where I can find a good used steffen 15 bale accumulator ?

Steffen 15 bale accumulator

Breeding E6 heifers

What would you breed some big solid E6 heifers to? Thinking about a Beefmaster, or Angus, or maybe Brangus. I have a Very nice Brahman bull LBW that would put bone but to much ear. I was thinking about buying a Hereford bull. I a chance to get a nice stout North Dakota Hereford bull.

Breeding E6 heifers

Heirloom Peanuts

Carolina African Runners.....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1TvJ2qW

Heirloom Peanuts

RTV 900/ No start, stuck shutoff valve

I have a cold start problem. After running this RTV 900, when it shuts down the shut-off solenoid pulls in the valve but the valve gets stuck in the shut-off position and you have to tap the body to reset it to start. Has anyone had this problem and knows how to fix it? Once it starts it's good all day but overnight is when the problem at cold startup.

RTV 900/ No start, stuck shutoff valve

Spraying hay fields

We have a good variety of hay fields on our farm. Pure timothy, pure orchardgrass, pure alfalfa, and alfalfa orchardgrass mix. We have some weed pressure. Mostly in the timothy, the crab grass comes back before the timothy and we can't get a 2nd cutting.
I have heard of some people spraying prowl on their hay fields to stop weeds from germinating. Has anyone tried this, or is there anything else I can spray on my Timothy for sure to keep the crab grass down?
Any ideas or thoughts on this will be appreciated.

Spraying hay fields

Spring smells

Just home from honeymoon in Costa Rica. Loved the honeymoon and my wife more than life, BUT, got home to record March temps and the smell of. Spring, farmers know what I am talking about. Loving it!

Spring smells

Farm Gals

From International Womens Day....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1nxK1bZ

Farm Gals

Draper head for JD 3430

Guys I purchased a 1990 John Deere 3430 self propelled mower. I need some help from the Midwest guys or gals. It comes with a 300 mower head but I need a draper head to cut Wheat with. Being in Georgia these machines are almost non existent and I can't find any info on that older model. I found a jd78 draper head that claims to be off a 2420 machine. Will this head fit my 3430, if not what model do I need to look for? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Draper head for JD 3430

Trade, anyone?

I would like to trade one of these:

 

 

 

 

for one of these:

 

 

Anyone interested?

 

 

Crap, I must be getting old.

Trade, anyone?

Weed control in rye grass

I have about 40 acres of rye grass drilled into a coastal meadow. Basic spring weeds are coming up in it and coastal is starting to green up. I want to kill the weeds out so I have a good clean stand of coastal and rye when I cut in about 45 days. If I spray with something like grazon p+d will it knock the rye back? If so, what is something that I can spray just to kill the spring weeds out? Thanks.

Weed control in rye grass

bale wrap thickness

Hello,

 

I was hoping to find out some information on thickness in silage wrap.

 

What is main benefit of thicker wrap?  (1.2 mil over 1 mil)

 

With 1.2mil, can wrap 4 layers instead of 6 layers?

 

What are pros and cons of wrap thickness?

 

 

bale wrap thickness

CaseIH 2500 Subsoiler weighs?

I can't find a weight spec for a 3 shank CaseIH 2500 Ecolotil with berm tuck'r. Anybody know the weight?

CaseIH 2500 Subsoiler weighs?

Crabgrass

Anybody using any of the Quick N Big or Red River Crabgrass. I am looking at planting a few acres for hay and summer grazing.

 

http://ift.tt/1pwkUI0

Crabgrass

Pricing this year's hay

This was published last year and I found it to be pretty close to the costs in my neck of the woods (thumb of Michigan).  Saved it to re-read this year, thought I would post for everyone that may have missed it.  Hope the link works.

 

http://ift.tt/1QJSMYF

 

 

 

Pricing this year's hay

Summer forage

I was thinking about planting something for summer forage. The pasture is not the best right now, what would you plant? I was thinking about sterile sorghum but don't know much about it.

Summer forage

Dry Hay....3rd Highest Crop Value

Progressive Forage Grower and USDA.....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1W6txUa

Dry Hay....3rd Highest Crop Value

Texas alfalfa weevil

How have the weevil been treating southern producers this month?  Anything different us to the north should know for this year?  Looks like SC KS may be a couple weeks early fighting these boogers.  I'm guessing there will be several hatches as mild as January and February were.  

Texas alfalfa weevil

How can I buy quality Oats?

I am an old timer that believes oats are the best feed for horses. No founder, no colic. I buy whole oats at a feed stores in 50 pound bags. The quality varies a LOT. The tag says 100% oats or oat products. No mention or claim of FGIS Grade or weight per bushel or cleaned or dust free or anything. I opened a bag Sunday that was so dusty that I opened another bag and stuck my hand down in it to get a handfull and found golf ball size chunks of moldy grain. I took those two sacks back and they replaced them. I got home and opened one and the oats are very, very light with lots of straw. Years ago I farmed and when I sold grain, they took a valid sample, tested and graded it to establish the quality of the grain.  

 

Is there any way to buy what I can expect to be good oats? by the bag or the truck, I don't care, just so I get good oats.

How can I buy quality Oats?

Mastitis prevention

I just pulled a 6 mo calf off his momma. Doin the fenceline wean. I'm about 2 days into it. The bull calf seems to be doin just fine. Momma, she misses her baby. The bawling has mostly calmed down. I noticed her milk is filled up pretty good. She is a half breed beltie so her milk sack is black. I am relying heavily on mother nature taking care of her for me. I assume she will dry up eventually. Since I am not milking her, and cant even touch her, what should I look for (from about 15 ft away) that would indicate mastitis? Keep in mind her time on the hoof is limited. As soon as the highland swamp dries (AKA my pasture) and I can get the trailer and the truck across it without rutting it up, she is goin on the trailer to the butcher. I just need to keep her healthy till then.

Thoughts?

Advice?

 

Mastitis prevention

Collector Tractors

The owner of our dealership is selling out and has some antique/collector tractors he would like to get rid of...

Anyone know any good "antique tractor" websites to list them on?

Or should I just go with Tractorhouse and craigslist?

 

This is what he has:

Case 830

Minneapolis Moline R

Farmall H

Oliver OC-3

Minneapolis Moline Super

Oliver 550

 

Collector Tractors

Timothy - Spring Fertilizing Question

As I've mentioned in earlier posts, we've redone two of our hay fields in timothy.

Spring fertilizing - when do you typically apply? Don't want to go in to early and trample the young grass with the tractor, but also don't want to wait to long such that the first cut hasn't fully benefited from the fertilizer.

Turning warm this week - hopefully more warm than cold days going forward. Things should start greening up quickly.

Any recommendations - rules of thumb are much appreciated as to when you put down you're fertilizer in the spring - especially for timothy.

Thanks!
Bill

Timothy - Spring Fertilizing Question

Bale squeeze.....anyone use them

Gonna be building/purchasing a bale squeeze for handling net wrapped round bales....52" - 60". Anyone have experience with any? I'll be using it on a telehandler. Interested in stacking the bales "eye to the sky" two at the time, think I can use a single and stack and lift, I hope....

Thanks

Bale squeeze.....anyone use them

Time savers

What are some of your favorite tools that have saved you a bunch of time or labor. One of my top ones would be the bale hand mounted on a skid steer.

Time savers

DEF - How's it Working Out????

I've got a tier 2 utility tractor, no pollution control, mechanical pump, etc. Open the hood, you can see the engine. Hope I never have to go into the engine - just because I can see it.

My brother has a final tier 4 utility tractor. It has a particulate filter with a regen cycle. Huge DPF housing on top of the engine. Works as advertised, he's happy. That DPF assy is going to have to come out if one ever does any major work on the engine.

Window shopping today. Looked at a JD tractor 6000 series tractor, can't remember the model, but it had the tank for urea and the blue cap. Open the hood and it was, IMHO, much more uncluttered than my brother's tractor with no DPF.

These DEF tractors have been out now for a few seasons - question is - how are they working out?

Just curious.

Bill

DEF - How's it Working Out????

468 square Baler - Deere - Intermediate knotter gear help

I need help again. i replaced the needle frame and as i was tuning, I noticed that the first tooth on the left knotter's intermediate gear is not there. The manual doesn't explain how to remove the knotter shaft on late series balers (just the knotter assy., which bolts onto the shaft).   FYI - late model where needle brake is on side of bale chamber, not inside knotter area. 

 

I assume I just need to slide the shaft to the left to slide off the intermediate gears on the right side.   There's a bearing locking collar with a allen set screw next to the leftmost bearing.  I removed set screw but the collar won't move.  There's a smaller hole in the collar but it seems to dead end - no allen socket.  Could there be a smaller set screw that someone started to drill out?   

468 square Baler - Deere - Intermediate knotter gear help

Disc mowers - cutting height?

It seems that a lot of disc mower manufacturers boast about how close to the ground they can cut. I understand this is desirable for some crops like alfalfa. But we are planning to grow some tropical forage crops that do better when cut higher up, at around 25 centimetres (~ 10 inches) above the ground.

 

I see that New Holland has a mower http://ift.tt/21PKPvGthat has an option for extra-high skids (BioMass option) with height range up to 7-3/4 inches. They say "Lift lock out channels stop the cylinders mid-stroke to maintain good flotation, even when cutting well off the ground."

 

I'd like to ask:

 

1. Is it necessary that disc mowers are in contact with the ground when mowing... do they have to skid along on their shoes?

 

2. If the answer is yes, then do you think it would be relatively easy to add some "spacers" or "extra metalwork" of some sort to increase the height between the cutterbar and the shoes to raise the cutting height?

 

3. Is there some reason why customising the mower to raise the cutting height might not work, for example due to changes in the geometry that might affect alignment of the drive shaft, etc?  

 

Thanks. 

 

 

Disc mowers - cutting height?

Hypro Jet Agitator Nozzles

I'm installing a new Hypro Dual HY 3371 Jet Agitator in my Van pull type 500 gal sprayer.  I grow Alicia Bermuda horse hay and use it for weed control.  The old 3371 was set up without any nozzles or spacers.  However, the agitator wings can be reversed and used with one of three nozzle insert sizes: 1/8, 3/16, or 5/32.  I'm not sure what is the recommended nozzle set up for spraying Roundup, 2-4D, Pastora etc.  I would think one would want a good amount of agitation to be sure everything is properly mixed and stays in the optimum solution.  There was not any instructions with the kit and I have been able to find anything on the internet to address the issue.

Do anyone have any experience with these 3371 Jet Agitator's and have any recommendations on what nozzle or no nozzle setting is best for spraying hay fields.  I want to get it right the first time as it is a pain installing these agitators.  Appreciate any and all inputs.  Thanks.

Hypro Jet Agitator Nozzles

Bale count....How much is too much?

After years of fighting a 605g Vermeer, I used my neighbors 458 JD last year and fell in love.

 

I found a 458 net machine with 15,000 rolls showing on the monitor.

 

Baler really doesn't show that much wear as far as the chains, sprockets and pickup is concerned (I swear I think my neighbors 1500 roll machine shows more wear!) There has never been twine in the machine.

 

Either A. Someone took pretty good care of it to have that many rolls

          B. The monitors got mixed up along the way

 

 

We've sold units with 10k rolls on them all the time. Even remember selling some with close to 20k rolls.

 

I'm a weekend warrior that might put up 350 rolls a year. I sell 1/4 of what I roll to my neighbors and feed out the rest.

 

 

What do you think would be too many rolls on a machine?

 

 

Bale count....How much is too much?

Tuning up 1049 NH stackwagon

Hello Folks,

 

Time to get the 1049 stackwagon out and get it in shape for the season. Do I go to New Holland for what I need or get parts on line?

 

I am going to need a clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder. Found one on line but I would bet it is an automotive application.

 

I need some parts for the hydraulic valve that dumps the load rack or third table.  Apparently the return spring is broken as it does not return to center. Looks like easy fix once parts are located.  I have not found these parts on line so maybe NH is the best bet. I went to the NH store last week for some parts for the 1037 stackwagon and the lady says parts for the 1049 are getting scarce.

 

Thanks,  

DonMc

Tuning up 1049 NH stackwagon

Replacement dumb bed for RTV 900

Does anyone know of an aftermarket replacement bed for the RTV 900

Replacement dumb bed for RTV 900

4-lug/5-lug Wheels?

My new 1100c has 4-lug wheels. I've seen many images of the same machine with 5-lug wheels. Anybody able to shed some light on why?

4-lug/5-lug Wheels?

When do you spray for winter annual in rr alfalfa?

Need to spray 50 acres of rr alfalfa. Has henbit and chickweed thought about spraying it this coming week. Temps are supposed to be in the high 60's and the lows are in the mid 40's

When do you spray for winter annual in rr alfalfa?

Track Kit

I’ve performed the customary search before posing this question but haven’t come up with much?

I’m considering installing a set of tracks on a RTV X1100C if I move ahead with purchasing the machine. I have a few questions for those of you that have experience with a track system on the RTV. I’m anticipating that I would use the tracks for the winter season only. We receive a significant amount of snow during the season and it’s not uncommon to have 3-4 feet on the ground at any given time. I have a cabin that I’d like to use more often in the winter and road access is not possible since we don’t have it maintained during the winter months. The RTV would be used to haul groceries and supplies from my parking spot off the main road to my cabin located about three-quarters of a mile in from the main road.

I’m getting too old and fussy to use a snowmobile. I prefer the comfort and convenience of a heated cab. Along with the significant accumulation we also have some steep inclines and declines along the roadway. So onto my questions:

Given the weight of the RTV is the floatation with tracks sufficient to handle deep snow and steep inclines/declines?

Are there any specific techniques to be aware of when operating the RTV with tracks?

Does the RTV have sufficient power to climb steep grades? I realise that speed is compromised but just want to ensure that it can carry enough speed to make it up steep inclines?

Do tracks put any additional stresses on the drive train that would cause premature failures?

I’m considering the Camoplast T4S tracks and I understand that they make a track kit specifically for the RTV.

I appreciate any insight that you can provide.

Track Kit

Tonutti or Rhino Rakes

Are Tonutti and Rhino the same rake.  Craigslist has a new Tonutti 14 wheel high capacity (wheels in front of the frame) no center kicker for $6200.  Seems pretty reasonable.  They are also advertising 10 wheel Rhinos as well, but no price on them.  I have never owned any equipment from either manufacturer so I don't have anything to go with.

Tonutti or Rhino Rakes

Hay elevator motor

On a 36' new Holland elevator is there REALLY that much speed difference going from a 3/4 hp 1725 rpm motor to an 3/4 hp 1800 rpm ? I found a 1800 at Agri-supply for $148....the standard 1725's run $240 +....... YES I'm being cheap ! And I can't go any lower size on the pulley (2")

Hay elevator motor

Monsanto vs. India

Saw this headline on DTN this morning....in subscriber content.

 

India Could Lose GMO Tech Monsanto Threatens to Pull GMO Technology from India

Fri Mar 4, 2016 06:33 PM CST

(Dow Jones) -- Monsanto Co. on Friday threatened to pull its genetically-modified crop technology from India in protest of the government's plans for further price controls over its products.

India's agriculture ministry plans to implement the price curbs this month, adding to an array of challenges that the seed giant and its local partner Mahyco face in one of the world's largest agricultural markets.

The Indian government last month launched an antitrust probe into the joint venture's pricing practices, while several other local seed companies are disputing the fees it charges for licensing crop genes.

 

 

Monsanto has practiced price controls in this country for years....

 

Regards, Mike

Monsanto vs. India

Why Oh Why do I read Ag Articles?

I like to think of myself as a progressive think outside the box kind of guy. You know, the guy that does unconventional stuff.
I'm going to lay this out as eloquently as possible so bear with me. I've always top dressed pastures and hay fields in spring. A good triple 17 or 20-10-5 or 10-20-20 depending on what I'm doing. I just read an article telling me to park the spreader and drill some clover after I pick up 4 tons of granular fertilizer. That I'm wasting my time assisting the spring lush in pastures and would be better off fertilizing in July. JULY?!? This is where I go, this must be Canadian guidelines, I'm lucky to see a drop of rain in July.

Yes I know clover is great for nitrogen. Ummm how is this cost effective, I've always cut excess forage for hay? Plus fertilizer is $490 a ton (Trip 17 and 10-20-20 is $5 ton less). Not sure how that compares to you guys but that's a $100 a ton less than last year. I understand the logic for grass tetany and related issues. That's why I supplement premium minerals (maybe I lose there?). My valuation of hay tonnage from half my pastures exceeds my fertilizer bill and can still graze. On top of what seems like 100" of rain this last winter, I'm struggling to see how I'm losing.

I'm also a Fall potassium and phosphorous guy, no nitrogen. I believe fall is for root building. Maybe I should sow clover in the fall if this article was partially right. I really hate the nagging Ag Article Conscience on my shoulder. Get this, according to the article, spring fertilizing is only good for corn and wheat.

Why Oh Why do I read Ag Articles?