Hay Tedder For Sale Craigslist (2024)

FAQs

Is a hay tedder worth it? ›

Therefore, in moist climates, a tedder, which spreads the hay for increased sun and air exposure, is most likely a necessity. There are situations, however, when a tedder should not be used. Tedders are intended to be used on crops while they are still higher in moisture and pliable.

Although some farmers in more arid climates get by without a tedder, it is smart to have a machine that can do this important job when the need arises. Knowing when to ted is also important. A tedder should be used only when the crop is moist enough not to lose leaves in the process.

The spinning tines throw the forage in the air and spread the windrow out over a wider area, allowing the sun and wind movement to naturally dry out the crop. A properly set hay tedder will spread the crop evenly without the tines digging into the soil; keeping quality-killing dirt from getting into the windrow.

Tedding is the agricultural process of spreading material in a field. The materials which are typically tedded include manure, which is spread to fertilize the land, and crops such as hay and flax, which are spread to dry them before they are collected.

Tedding twice may decrease drying time. Tedding shortly after mowing allows 100% ground coverage, then tedding the next day helps keep the crop off the ground. Be cautious to set tedder properly so that dirt is not incorporated into the hay but all hay is lifted off the ground.

Tedder hay on the morning after the crop was cut. However, if large clumps of forage pile up behind the cutter, it may be necessary to tedder the hay shortly after mowing.

Three days is the minimum time it normally takes to cut, dry, and bale non-mature hay in southeast Kansas. But your schedule should match your specific location, type of crop, and yield.

You might not want your hay to get overly dry, but a brittle feel is desirable when determining when the right time to bale the hay is. If the hay only feels brittle, that's a bad sign. If the hay also has a crisp feel, then some brittleness is okay. You want to bale at that point.

Usually, we think of water and moisture as a way to put a fire out, but the opposite is true with hay and straw, which when too wet can heat and spontaneously combust. This is more common with hay than straw because there is more plant cell respiration in hay.

Quality loss is the most concerning issue surrounding rained-on hay. Rainfall leaches sugars out of plant tissues which reduces the level of soluble carbohydrates and overall energy content.

How soon can you use hay after baling? ›

Traditionally, new hay was never fed to horses until Michaelmas at the end of September - when it was termed old hay! In practice and under pressure of supplies, do not feed new hay until it has been baled at least 6 weeks and even then, keep a close eye out for any signs your horse is not happy with it.

The plants' sugar content is highest at dusk but because of moisture, it's not ideal to cut hay at night. The best time is to start as soon as dew is off in the morning, which will maximize drying time.

Tedding can benefit bermuda grass, crab grass, tall fescue and orchard grass. Some of this is weather dependent, but there are times where it really pays off. On the other hand, avoid tedding an alfalfa field or other legume crops, unless it is a salvage situation. Tedding may not be as beneficial for leafy crops.

Hay must dry before it can be baled. When hay is cut, farmers leave it in the field and allow it to partially dry.

“In warmer, dryer parts of the country, hay producers can get by without owning a tedder. The ground is dryer, so the crop on the bottom of the windrow typically isn't being exposed to additional moisture,” Vrieze said.

“The most important function of tedding is fluffing the crop to promote air flow through the windrow, and also bringing the bottom of the windrow to the top and exposing it to sunlight, which leads to faster, more uniform dry down of the crop,” Wang said.

If you need to rake your hay into windrows, this is the time to do it. Raking will speed up drying time significantly. So don't rake too early if you're not ready to bale.

One of the most significant advantages of wrapping dry hay is its ability to preserve the nutrient value of the feed. Hay bales exposed to the elements are susceptible to moisture, which can lead to mold and bacterial growth.

Tedding hay is different every time depending upon moisture, density of the crop and the speed that you drive. There is no "one setting" for every time. I usually like 1500-1700 rpm at about 5 mph.....but be prepared to change all of the above.