How Big A Tractor Do I Need To Pull Hay Equipment

Two questions that need to be answered are (1) how many acres are you planning to hay and (2) what type of bales (square or round) are you planning to make?

With 18 acres here in Oregon, I use a Ibex TM67C drum cutter and a New Holland 565 small square baler. Both only requires PTOs of 35 hp. The 2 tractors I use are my Ford 4630 (65 hp with 55 hp at the PTO) and my Massey Ferguson 2607H (74 hp with 64 hp at the PTO).

They do make hay equipment for sub-compact and compact tractors...but those setups are for people who are hobby farmers, small scale stuff...you aren't going to want to cut and bale a field probably more than about 5-7 acres with a sub-compact tractor and those small hay attachments LOL. You could do it but you'd be out there for a week just doing 1 task. People have been running balers with tractors less than 30HP for years, they do just fine, but those old tractors weigh a heck of a lot more than a lot of today's compact and utility tractors. Its the tractor weight that is more important with a regular square baler.

When I was a kid we put up thousands of bales with nothing but a 35hp WD Allis Chalmers, pulling a 7' NH Haybine, side delivery rake, and NH square baler. We had bigger tractors but Granddad wouldn't use anything but the WD in the hay field.

I think that your advice applies to all tractors, not just utility tractors. Get the most horsepower that you can, and I learned quickly here in Florida, get a cab with some A/C.

For probably over 80+ years equipment manufacturers have listed horsepower requirements to get you into the right class of tractor (size/weight) not necessarily the actual horsepower needed at the PTO. You don't want the tail wagging the dog. For square bales, round bales, chopping silage, cutting hay, a 100 HP tractor can do that all day every day. Silage chopping to me always took way more power and weight than a 5x6 round baler. Now tillage could require something different if you replant that field or other crops. If you have a lot of acres to cut and bale I'd recommend a pull type disc mower conditioner over a 3pt mounted one.

Cab is a must not just for the dust but it;s also nice to keep you from having a heat stroke when you're doing field repairs on the baler. I personally have a Kubota M5-111 and I wouldn't want to try and stop my baler going down hill with a full bale inside it with a smaller tractor.. Also I'd keep that 3910 for two reasons 1 you can cut or rake with it and two it's reliable.

Agree Mike. My main hay tractor is a Kioti RX 7320 and does a good job with my Baler and haybine. Wouldn’t go any less horse power than that

I have a 40hp Massey 1740m, with 29 PTO hp. I use a NH 467 haybine, and a NH hayliner 68 baler. I haven't had any issues. I can only feel the baler plunger when I am stopped, I don't feel it while I'm baling (or afterwards) I also didn't notice any fatigue. I am happy with my setup for what I'm doing, but could see advantages to having a little bit bigger tractor, but I definitely wouldn't say it was necessary.

Depending on how much hay you want to make, I’d keep that 3910 and shop around for the right size equipment for it. Maybe think drum mower rather than disc

I have baled with a New Holland TC30 (25hp PTO) and a Hesston 5530. It ran well. I have 15 acres of hay field that has about 30 feet of elevation change and terraces and the small tractor still did well. I also used this tractor to cut. I have a FDM-165 drum mower. The 25hp was plenty of power for this cutter. All that said, I did upgrade to a TYM T654 67hp cab tractor. Now I can run this same hay equipment in "economy mode" and run much lower rpm and cut/bale in the AC.

Tell him to look into the NewHolland Workmaster cab Tractors They make nice utility tractors with the rears loaded 12.500 lbs they make a 55,65,75 hp they are turbo intercooled they also make 95,105,120 hp also. we do hay with x2 of them a 65/75 hp power shuttle 24x trans, buddy seat, AC. radio. air seat etc.We run a new newholland discbine and a newholland round baler with the 75hp no problem!

I agree with the cab and A/C that is nice when baling. Power shift is sweet when baling too, espeacially if your baler doesn’t have kicker you can back up easily. Hp I liked 70+ but one I liked most was 73pto hp. I did regret more Hp in fuel usage. If you don’t get cab, then canopy or umbrella is a must

Back in the 1960's we farmed with a Farmall H and an 8N Ford, and our fields were anything but level. Our neighbor farmed with a Ford 601, Don't know why everyone thinks they need a monster tractor to get the job done.

I think you are right on target, Mike… pretty scary when a baler full of tightly-wrapped hay (1,000 lbs of spinning material) starts pushing the tractor as you turn downhill. It’s not that hard to jackknife under those circumstances. Plus, if you have to backup a bit to dump the bale—that requires lots of power… do not underestimate the power it takes to make even a 4’x5’ bale in hilly or soft ground. Manufacturer recommendations are there for a reason. Great video!

Good information. Thank you.

What Mikes saying here is theirs no replacement for displacement! 100hp you won’t regret it

Good advice Mike

Thanks Mike. Very helpful!!

In my hay experience using a Haybine, Wheel Driven Rake, and Round Baler my tractor that I previously owned was rated at 73HP. It was PTO capable of driving both the Haybine and Baler. The Haybine was very difficult to pull, and moved the tractor when switching from side to side. I could not get a Diskbine because my tractor lacked the HP necessary to drive a reasonable sized one. Due to unforeseen circumstances I was in the market for another "utility" tractor. The one I found was a 106HP with a larger frame and heavier unit. My new tractor I bought used now runs everything with ease, and the air seat makes the ride much more comfortable. I agree with Mike buy the most HP you can afford, with an enclosed cab, and the necessary remotes to run everything. Your comfort in the cab will pay off when it is hot and humid out.