Hay Tools

Whether you own a huge commercial farm or you’re a hobbyist with a much smaller property, hay tools can go a long way toward making your life easier. Of course, you first need to figure out what kinds of hay tools are best suited to your needs. That is why the experts at West Hills Tractor have created this guide to the different types of hay tools. 

Hay Mowers

When looking at hay mowers, think about the needs and limitations imposed by your tractor and field size. For example, sickle bar mowers are light and don’t require much horsepower to pull, but they are also slower and have a tendency to get clogged. Disc mowers work faster and generally don’t get clogged, but they also need a heavier tractor that has hydraulics installed in order to pull them. Drum mowers are tough and can cut through thick vegetation, but while they don’t require a tractor with hydraulics, you still need a lot of horsepower to pull a drum mower. 

Hay Tedders

Hay tedders use spinning tines to pull loose hay out from the bottom of the pile. They don’t require much horsepower to tow, making transportation a breeze. Some farmers choose to use rakes in place of tedders, though rakes have a tendency to leave the hay in clumps. 

Hay Rakes

When you want to rake your hay into windrows, you have a couple of options. Wheel rakes work fast, but they often rake up dirt and small stones along with the hay, meaning reduced quality. They also take up a lot of space and tend to create heavier hay. Rotary rakes are a bit slower, but they also don’t touch the ground, resulting in higher-quality hay. They are also great if you want to make uniform windrows. Belt rakes are light and compact, making them easy to transport and store. They can even be used while reversing your tractor, which is perfect for raking in tight spaces. 

Hay Balers

Like hay rakes and hay mowers, you have a couple of different options when it comes to hay balers. Balers are categorized by the bale shape they produce. Round balers are popular because they make getting the hay into the barn easier. Square balers work fast, with some putting out a new bale every 10 seconds or less. Square balers are popular among users who want to be able to easily stack their bales. 

To shop our selection of hay tools, visit West Hills Tractor in Jonesborough, Tennessee. We also offer financing, servicing, and parts ordering. We are proud to serve communities like Johnson City and Greenville, Tennessee.