Inline Small Squares and Tall Windrows

This last year, we ran one baler in our small square straw production- a New Holland 276. We used to run a Massey Ferguson 124 before that, and that's all we've ever run for small squares. We need to get a second small square for the coming year- we're wanting to put up a lot more straw, and even do some rounds. But, that's for another topic

 

It's hard to find machinery out here at all. Of the last five pieces of equipment we bought, four were trucked in from the midwest. Well, transporting a small square baler isn't exactly cheap.... unless it's an inline. We're looking at a couple balers coming up for auction out here, but if those don't work out, we may be forced to order a baler from out of state. Which brings us to the dilemma....

 

We bale straw that comes from two John Deere combines with 30 foot headers. They leave a big windrow. In 2019, we had to split the windrows in half to be able to bale them. The crop wasn't good this last year, so we were able to go slow enough to bale a whole windrow, but just barely.

 

My father and I both aren't sure about windrow height with an inline though- his gut feeling is that the windrow is too tall, would hit the front of the tractor, catch, and not work well at all. I think it would clear the tractor (The round baler guys have to clear it somehow), but I'm worried about it not clearing the hitch assembly.

 

We have two tractors, the shortest of which is an Oliver 1800A with 18.4-34 tires on the back. Do you guys think an inline could work well for us, or do you think it has bad idea written all over it?

Inline Small Squares and Tall Windrows