Raking and Baling hay explained. How the machines work and see them in action on our farm 

When it comes to field work, I don’t know if there’s anything worse than round baling hay with an open station tractor. You’ll be hacking up & snotting out dust & dirt for a month after you get through baling hay with an open station tractor !! I literally thought that I was the king of the world after I finally got me an air conditioned cab tractor to bale hay with. I mean we’re talking about going from being completely covered in dust, dirt, sweat, grass & about everything else imaginable, to being able to step out of the tractor and go to church with the same clothes on !!!!

When you take hydraulics off put tin foil on them keeps dirt and crap out

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed your channel. I'm a retired accountant by training and have just purchased 28 acres of vacant land recently carved out of the Sam Houston National Forest. I have two sons about your age I'm guessing and we plan to start developing the property. No plans to live on it anytime soon but thinking about an orchard, vegetable garden, and enough grazing to support ourselves. I realize your property is much larger than ours but if you ever need an idea for a future educational blog, can I suggest that you share your planning, budgeting, and financing strategies. Where did you start and where do you plan to end up, progress to date and ultimately how you see it supporting your family?! Thanks again.

One thing i have learned baling hay is to rake the hay in as straight and long of row as possible. Keeping a nice even windrow helps on the bale shape. I've made a plenty of crooked bales. But you learn pretty quick baling hay. Good video btw

Quick joke that I found to be amusing. "Why is it that farmers don't like round bales?..... Because their cows don't get a square meal!" Kind of corny, I know

quick tip, when you finish your bale back up a few feet before you dump it that way when you pull forward to drop the gate it's not sitting over top of loose hay on the ground and not be able to pick it up. BTW getting the bale perfectly round just takes a lot of seat time but looks good for just starting out.

Before you eject the bale, back up to where the wind row where you stopped is in front of the tractor. As you pull forward, it will leave room for you to close the baler before pulling in more hay. Right at the end, you can see a slug of hay being pulled into the baker and right on the ground before the baler closed.

First time watching your videos. Are you new to hay bailing? I have questions. I use square bails for my horses and, some bails are heavier than others. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think that’s the moisture content in each? I’ve had some issues with dusty hay! Does cut hay have to dry a certain amount before Bailing? How do you figure out moisture percentage? If you are new to bailing hay than we both need this information. I’m always concerned when storing hay that’s just been cut. If there’s too much moisture it molds or worst case, could heat up and combust! Also stacking hay. Does stacking it end up or down flat matter? Thanks man! Looking forward to watching more!

These are the best viedo's I enjoy this more than TV and you can learn something no matter how old you are.

We rake our hay for one or two days after letting the dew burn off in the morning allowing the hay to air out better so it takes us usually 4 days to do about 20 or so acres ( we have to play dodge the rocks which is a bit of a guessing game up in New Hampshire)

I buy 10 bales of the square bales for my wife’s horses in California every month. we pay 14$ per bale. Always wondered the process. Thank you.

all joking aside, not trying to be "smarty" but it looked like u were only grabbing half the hay u could on open side. In my experience this always gave me a poor bale; half the windrow is bigger than the other. makes bale softer on one side as well. Raking, IMO, is the part that requires more experience than baling. just my thoughts...

This is not at all correct.... joking haha just wanted to be like all the smart know it alls... great video enjoyed watching very good quality .

Hey from Maryland, it was great watching your show!! Thanks I was wanting to know how that baler works.

Enjoyed the bailing hay. As a kid, this was my afternoon work after school. Cutting, raking and baling. Bucking bales on a trailer, then stacking them on the ranch for Winter. Good video.

Ratings again from Currituck County North Carolina it's really good to see somebody from North Carolina actually doing really good videos for once as far as farming and Equipment care and some pretty neat videos of farm trucks and what not and I really do like that old messy Ferguson that thing is really neat

I love the people who already know everything because they are more ignorant than everyone else if your not willing to learn something then you are not going to get anywhere farther than you are in life that's the way I was raised.

the following is a sassy know it all comment.

You can have your red and black draki I'll take a green and yellow anytime All-American Track Team Green and Yellow

I farmed as a teen in Ireland for years... everyday is a school day, your uploads are fantastic. Send the haters my way, I'll fix their wagons bro...

It took me a while to learn the rolling technics...I have a more difficult roller to deal with..but you'll get where u can make perfect looking rolls

Hey, I am really enjoying your channel. We just moved into our dream place in May and are attempting to start a small farm. It is really cool that you are doing the same thing we want to accomplish. We are learning a lot from you. In fact I purchased my first tractor after watching your video on how to buy a tractor and I got a really good piece of equipment for a really good price. Keep up the good work, and I'll keep watching. Be Safe,

Don't be in a hurry having kids women change drastically in attitudes they can break u.

Thank you for your hard work!! I have never seen hay being bailed so interesting 😀

When I rake hay I always try to start at the straightest point and keep my windrows as straight and go all the ways across then take an clean the head land up and tie them 2 passes in to the 2 out side windrow it seems to be easier when rolling and it keeps the rolls equal when going back and forth

Got a John Deere 6220 and a 592 baler

Your living the dream bro. I learn new things on your channel all the time. Today was no exception. You and Mrs. Stoney Ridge are putting in the "Wrench Time " as we mechanics say. Farming equipment is unique and bizaar at the same time which keeps my interest. Your quick explanation of things is greatly appreciated. Thanks for making this an education and adding to my knowledge base. The good and bad times as well. I look forward to watching your farm grow and prosper. God bless you in your endeavors.

Very cool video! We are moving onto 12 acres of old farm land that is now growing hay.. I'm excited to start harvesting some!!

I had alot of tractors as a kid,so I'm an expert, lol.

Hi.... Thank you 🎥👍👍👍

If you can't handle criticism you shouldn't be on youtube.

Hi! I've been watching your vids for a few months. One thing that'll help you build better square shouldered bales is to set you rake's windrow width closer to the size of your baler's pickup width. Also, with a baler of that age, get a water can fire extinguisher. Add some Dawn dish soap to it and charge it. Mount it on the baler or your tractor. If you see smoke starting to build; leave the baler running, pull the hydro to eject the forming bale, and pull forward off of the windrow and then shut off the pto. Most people panic and try to disconnect the baler. Don't do that unless you just want the insurance company to worry about it.

Been in the business 30 yrs, and no expert by any means; however some pointers if you wish: Starting with your rake, what you have is good for starters. Recommend looking for a H&S BF!12 or 14 HC (high capacity) each wheel is independent with its own spring so it follows the ground. I Do Not recommend a Vemeer, or John Deere hyd. rake (more expensive to operate and leaves hay in uneven field) H&S is easier to operate as you can fold it in for less, or extend it out for more volume of hay in the windrow while moving, or avoiding obstacles. 2nd you can adjust the back end to fit the windrow size to the baler. 3rd Put your outside raking wheel right against the outside edge of un raked hay; this ensures an even volume of hay in the windrow. Also measure the inside of the baler (should be 60") then adjust the windrow width to 58"- 59" (your baler does not have "Mega wide pickup reel) so you will not loose money by leaving hay in the field. 4th You are missing a gauge wheel on the right side of the pickup reel when facing the baler (pick up reel should have 2 gauge wheels). 5th In greasing the baler be sure to lubricate the PTO shaft (2 pieces) which slides in and out due to land contour; especially if it is Teflon coated. Failure to lubricate PTO shaft can cause shaft seizure, causing PTO on Tractor being yanked out and big expense farmers don't need. 6th grease the 3 U joints and the constant velocity joint on the PTO shaft. John Deere Balers are GREAT; owned 3 Vermeer's, I prefer DEERE!!! have questions contact me.

HAY!!!! I wish your vlog WAS boring!!! I find myself watching too much,, and not getting my own work done!!!!

I live on a farm in the north of england...the farms made big bales for well over 35 yrs...using contractors....I got a baler of my own last yr...like you I'd never made a bale till then....great to smell the hay as you bale it up for your livestock...well done...👍

When you empty your baler open the door the hole way and when you shut it run it so its not as hard on the belts I live on a dairy farm. 🚜🚜

Thanks you

I love your custom soundtrack. Do you have full cut of "Goats, pigs, and chickens"?

Wow I could so do that better than anyone including my wife’s secrete boyfriend. So ya she thinks I am a looser right? Well wait until they see me driving my new Massey Ferguson. They can catch me on the back forty how about dat?

Do u reduce the RPM on the tractor, or turn the PTO off for dumping the bal? I use a john deere 510 and I don't reduce the RPM, Not sure if that's how it's supposed to be done.

Cool Josh, use old engine oil, dip in rags, wear rubber gloves, squeeze oil , rub metal joints, bare metal, rusted area, to keep out rust and to bare corrosion longer, it will collect dust but if too busy, use compressed air to dust off, equipments are out in field no shades, I love the raker....save time so much....woooo.....

I like the way you explain it to people a very good idea thanks buddy you are doing a very good job 👍 I enjoy watching you on the farm I hope your wife get over the chiggers there terrible I KNOW 😅 ticks are bad to Off helps I spay it on rags and tie around my ankles just saying to not spay on my skin it's poison probably not good to spay it on me u know have a great day and be safe my friend Bo

I would worry about a company called asplunk (the world leader in vegetation management) They were hired to remove ash trees in southern Ontario. They cut down 85 black walnut trees while the owner was away at a funeral!

Josh how many bales are you getting off of your fields and what size are the fields

We use a 20 foot V rake when doing our hay. Do you not Ted your hay though? Wish we could use round bales, but square bales sell better here in WV.

Thank you for bringing this content man. Enjoyed it!

Whoa, thanks for taking us along with you. This is all so new to me but I'm gonna have fun learning

chiggers suck!!! Where did you get all the money!! I need to become your new best friend!! Lol Great job Josh

Cool vid . When you get a chance check out our small hay and cow operation thanks.👍🏻

Very informative,really enjoyed it! Thanks for posting this!👍

Thanks for showing this I am new to making hay and this helps alot now when it comes to chiggers I am and expert the old saying know your enemy well chiggers were my enemy so I learned everything I could about them I lived up in the mountains and couldn't go out the door without getting eat up this is what I would do the orange top off I would spray on my bare feet legs and waist rub it in all over let dry then the green top off I would spray on clothes I would still get bit so what's with this off and why is it not working well the off people don't want to hurt the chiggers so the only thing it does is try to fool the chiggers into thinking your a tree or something they simply crawl all over you until they find a place that don't have off on it and bite you there so what I would do is get real kill or Raid ant and roach killer and spray that on my boots and pant legs the bites went way down now also a strip of cloth soaked in the stuff and tied around the top of my boots pretty much stoped the bites just a tid bit of bug war.

So funny I have literally wondered all my life how they got hay into bails

With v rake you don’t have to go with the way you mow the hay. With my v rake go on the straight side of the field and start. I go back and forth and turn on ends and when done I than go across the ends. That works best for me. On some v rakes you can adjust the angle of the wheels to bring the hay closet or further apart.

Hi

For your your first time bailing hay your doing a great job. As long as it feeds animals it don't need to look pretty lol. One thing you should look into is a belt repair kit. Allows you to fix your broken belt right in the field and keep you rolling. We use alligator river brand one for our john deere bailer.

Hey josh you are bailing hay wrong! Jk love the video don’t delete this comment.

Another good video been a subscriber for a awhile do you have an email I can ask you a few questions?

Only needed to watch 30 seconds to know it was time to post a thumbs down and negative comment a bout the snotty remarks at the beginning of the video.

Shame about the Trump badge.

MOM USED TO SAY THAT GRANDDAD WOULD TAKE A PIECE OF YARN AND SOAK IT IN LAMP OIL, KEROSENE WHATEVER YA WANT TO CALL IT, TIE IT AROUND YOUR LEG OVER YOUR SOCKS AND IT WOULD KEEP CHIGGERS AT BAY

hey Josh this is James again on your stock tanks that you have for your cows you might want to get it off the ground because if the water gets underneath it it may rusted-out I would put four by fours underneath the stock tank that keeps it from other things from getting in it or underneath it

👍”... 🐐 🐷 🐓 “ 😂✌️

Avon Skin So Soft will keep little critters off. And it's not harsh chemical.

Hey i got some pointer for you i am from Nebraska and when we make hay here it normaly rains But ehrnbu are raking and baleing ib the summer it is beyyer to rake a few rounds bale ut then rake more round that way your windrows u raked dont get rain on and when u are baleing and u have a full bale back up so that the front end of your tractor is ant the end of the windrow where u had to stop so that when u pull forward u can close the back hate and don't lose any hay when u pull forward

I am just getting back in the saddle, a huge amount of tractor seat time as a youngin' cutting, racking, baking, cutting silage, discing, ripping, etc. We sold a farm and now have bought our forever home and brought our horses up. Now time to buy our tractor, bush hog, disc mower, rake and baler . . . I can't wait to get back in the saddle again.

Not trying to be a smart ass but u said that a rake drys out your hay and that’s not true. The Tedder is used to dry your hay. All the rake is used for is to put it in a windrow so u can bale it. You just need to getting your wording right on things.

Not even the internet know everything about tractors lol. Look up Speedex

You need a double water because of the v rake it's like bailing telephone poles because it walls a hey and a double water it flicks a hay in

I don't want to clame to. It it all and don't want to come off that way but I would like to give someIn put I would back up about 7 to 10. Feet off the windrow be for dumping the bale so when u pull back up to close the gate hay does not go threw the baler till the gate is closed and allSo it looks like u are 9000 foot twine for a square baler I would use 20000 twine its orange u can see it better to cut it off u get more out of it and it's what the baler was made to use good luck man we made 1300 round bales this year and it was a long 4 cuts of hay

You did Great for a first timers I love baling hay

Hello. I asked last week if ever need help last week. I replied but I don't think it went through?? How do I send and receive a private message from you?? Then send one back?

I know this is old but those bales look better than some others I’ve seen that were made by someone that has experience baling.

Thanks Stoney, you put out a lot of great information for the regular joe like myself who’s looking to get into small farming and homesteading!!! I’m glad I found your channel.

Are you missing a small wheel on the left side of the bailer or does it only have one on the right side and could that be why your bail is lopsided?

I personally have never really been a fan of the V rake over other styles...... but hey if it works for you , use it

I must admit I was criticizing (in my head) why you had such a big tractor for just grading the driveway and picking up sticks etc etc. but now after watching this video and the next with balers and rakers that tractor is looking a little small haha.. I assume you sold most of the hay from this years cut.. You have done extremely well to get the grass to where it is in a couple of years. Well done thats awesome. In australia, those bales would sell for $60 and up.. and what you call T posts, we call star pickets..

Hey josh. I noticed that you didn’t back up before you dumped that bale. On our ranch we found that if you back up a few feet before you drop the bale your able to get the gate shut before the hay gets picked up by the pickup head on the baler. It cuts down on waste and is just a simple trick. Keep on keepin on man

Do you go for fast output or slow Quality hay/alphafa? Cuz we hire a commercial guy to bale our hay and he does it so fast the bale is loose and not tight.

Hey Stoney...Instead of zip ties...Use some of your biodegradeable old baling twine to tie up your excess hydraulic lines of your v-rake...cow hitches around the lines and pull the twine through your toplink's hole and clove hitch those twines lines around the top link and those long hydraulic lines will be out of the way...:)

Get yourself some kids bro. It don’t get easier as you get older :).

I took a huge somewhat educated guess on how to roll bail's of hay. . . . Now I see how ROLLS of hay are done. . . . . Now I'm curious how SQUARES are done. I'll look for more videos.

God bless too all farmers, and too you sir 🐂🐴🐖🇺🇲

Hey! Keep doing what you do. Love your videos.

I like the negative comments. Everyone kissing your butt is boring. Those clowns putting the negative comments are funny. Don't let them get under your skin.They just like being attacked by saying things.

What kind of grass are you cutting for hay? Brome?

One day I mowed the hay, today I raked the hay and baled the hay... this video should've been called Hey, Hey, Hey!!!

What model deere baler is that Josh? How did it work for you so far?

When you do something for the first time, you can not make failure,you can only learn. When you know how to do something and mess up,now that is something different,thats failure. Great that you are showing us the learning curve that you can have doing something new and exiting. Thumbs up. Wooooooooooo

One quick tip is try to take it all as straight as possible then rake the outside rounds it’s hard on drive shafts and u joints when your turning while baling

PTO rake or pull along haven’t tried a pto rake yet

Bugs eat you up because you taste good............. Not to be one with a know it all attitude; Hay is as complicated as any crop....You need to treat it as any other crop. it is not just a set it an forget it crop.... and if it is not treated as such you might as well be selling Pine straw .Remember: what's eating the hay ain't buying the hay.......

How many cutting do you get in a year on your hay.

I don’t know to much about John Deere rollers we run new holland rollers when you have a bale back up because when you still have the door open on the roller and you pull up you loose hay love your video

We live in southern MD, I drive by a handful of farmers fields with old hay bales pushed in to the wood line. Maybe these farmers could not find a buyer for these bales. Do you have a challenge in finding buyers for your hay?

I’ve mowed raked baled for last 15 years

Sassy comment here! I’m getting so sassy!!

Listen i'm not tryina hate but i see you have no experience with hay and looks like you are not producing good quality hay; you need 4 days cut on day 1, dry out with a TEDDER on day 2, rake on day 3, and bale in day 3 night or in day 4.

Overwhelming is the best way to describe life on a farm. My wife and I own a farm for three months now. Buildings are dilapidated, water pipes leaking all over, no electricity, beehives neglected...... We are working for three months now with sometimes 10 people and I am still running my company on a daily base. Overwhelming indeed

Little grabbers? Pick up teeth. They are in the header. Sorry just another know it all farmer.

You getting those free Asphlund wood chips?