Choosing The Right Hay Baler

To make and sell hay, farmers need a few essential tools and machines. A hay baler is one such machine. Before these machines were invented, this part of the agricultural process took a long time and effort to get done. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then. Now, when you look for hay equipment for sale, you’re going to have a lot of options to choose from.

At S&H Farm Supply, we like to help our customers make informed decisions regarding their farms. We’ve put together this guide to help you choose the right hay baler. To learn more or to look at the hay balers for sale in our inventory, drop by our dealerships in locations across Missouri.

Bale Size And Shape

One way hay balers are differentiated from each other is by the way the bales look once they’re out of the machine. This quality of the bales makes them easy to transport or stock. Once they’re packed and tied together, the bales become very heavy. There are essentially two types of balers: round or square ones. Usually, square hay balers are bigger machines than round ones. When looking at hay balers for sale, keep in mind the shape and size you’d like your bales to have.

Fixed Chambers & Variable Chambers

If you’re looking to buy round hay balers, you’ll have to decide between getting a fixed-chamber baler or a variable-chamber baler. Both have their advantages and your final decision will probably depend on your circumstances. Fixed-chamber balers are simpler machines which produce bales that aren’t very dense. These are great if you plan to use the bales to feed smaller-sized animals.

Variable-chamber balers are more versatile as they let you choose the size of the bales. These hay balers produce denser bales, which are easier to store as it’s harder for moisture to creep in and damage your bales. If you’re looking for round bales, then you’ll have to choose between one of these machines.

Crop

If you work on a farm, you probably know not all hay crops are the same. There are different types of grasses that can be shaped into bales and each of those crops needs something a little different. You’ll have to take into account different moisture levels, different compacting, etc. If you have the right baler, you just have to adjust the baler to manage these differences. For crops with more moisture, you’ll need a fixed-chamber baler. Drier crops that can be tightly compressed would do well in a variable-chamber baler. 

Horsepower

Whatever hay baler you choose, it should be compatible with your tractor. This involves checking the horsepower required to use it and making sure that your tractor can handle the task. As a general rule, square hay balers require more horsepower than round ones. So if you’re getting a square baler, look around for options that suit your primary machine.

Budget

While you’d like to get the best machine for your farm, one important consideration is the cost. When making a final decision, don’t overspend or be very frugal. If you overspend and get the most upgraded machine, not only will you have spent too much, but you may realize that you don’t need all the features that cost you the cash. On the other hand, don’t pass up a great machine because it’s a little more spendy than you’d like. Good hay equipment should make your life easier, and if it saves you time, money and effort, it’s a good investment. 

Now that you know a little more about hay balers, why not come and check out the hay equipment for sale at S&H Farm Supply at various locations in Missouri? We’ll give you a full tour of our hay balers for sale, answer all your questions and help you choose the right machine for your farm. We’re proud to serve our friends from Springfield, Missouri.