Hay Baler Buying Guide

The right hay baler helps maximize efficiency and productivity on your farm or ranch. The following buying tips can help you find the best match for your unique needs. When you are ready to shop hay and forage equipment for sale, visit Atlantic Tractor. We have dealerships throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

The Hay Type

Start by thinking about the state of the hay that you will be baling. The default is dried hay. A standard hay baler will be built with dry hay in mind.

But some individuals want to be able to bale wet hay, also known as baling silage. Wet hay can pose extra challenges to hay balers. For example, it can leave behind gummy debris. 

If you want to bale wet hay, be sure to choose hay and forage equipment that can handle the extra challenges. They might come with heavier bearings and scrapers, for example to clear away that debris.

The Land

Next, think about where you will be using the hay baler. If the terrain is flat and full of compact dirt, most any hay and forage equipment will be fine.

If your terrain is difficult, be sure to pick a hay baler that can handle those challenges. For example, consider a model with wide flotation tires. These are better suited for slopes and wet terrain. The tires can distribute weight over a larger surface area, which helps improve traction. As an added bonus, these tires also impact the ground less.

The Features

Hay balers can come with many different features. Extra amenities increase the asking price, but they can also increase productivity, safety, and ease of operation. 

One popular hay baler perk is a surface wrap feature. Here, a certain type of material gets wrapped around the hay bale. For example, John Deere® balers can be outfitted with a dealer-installed B-Wrap® kit. This surface wrap is specifically built for protecting hay bales that get stored outside. The wrap helps protect the hay from ground moisture and weather, which helps reduce the chance of damage. It mimics the benefits of storing the hay inside a barn, but without needing to be placed inside.

The Price

It helps to set a budget. Knowing how much you can realistically spend helps you get the highest quality hay baler that you can afford.

If you want to stretch your budget farther, you can shop for used hay balers for sale. Because of depreciation, these models will be offered at drastically lower price points.

Ready to shop hay and forage equipment for sale? Check out the selection at Atlantic Tractor. Our experts can answer questions and help you pick the right hay baler for your budget. Reach out or stop by our dealerships in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.