Evaluate new haying tools found at farm shows

<p>WINDROWER OFFERS AUTOGUIDANCE: The WR Series windrower from Hesston comes with two auto options and can run up to 17 mph on smooth ground. An optional dual-axle rear steer allows you to lock the front tires for smoother transport. It is available in three models — 197, 235 or 265. The 197 is powered by a 4.9-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, while the 235 and 265 are powered by a six-cylinder engine. Windrowers come standard with one monitor. Price ranges from $185,000 to $250,000. Visit <a href="http://masseyferguson.com" target="_blank">masseyferguson.com</a>.</p>

<p>UPDATED BALERS: The updated 2200 Series balers from Hesston have new model numbers that indicate the bale size, starting with the 2233 — 3-by-3-foot bales — which replaces the 2250 model, all the way up to the 2244 — 4-by-4-foot bales. They also feature five-bar pickups, new poly bands, a narrower undercarriage and a new line of accumulators. Optional pre-cutters are available on the 3-by-3 and 3-by-4 models. Price ranges from $90,000 to $190,000. The balers are available for order now. Visit <a href="https://www.masseyferguson.com/en.html" target="_blank">masseyferguson.com</a>.</p>

<p>MOW LIKE A BOSS: New Holland introduces a series of mower-conditions, the Discbine Plus series, which includes the&nbsp;310 Plus, 312 Plus, 313 Plus and 316 Plus models, ranging from 10 to 16 feet wide. For a clean cut and commercial-grade durability, these conditioners come with a modular cutterbar with longer knives. Improved swath-formation controls promise better control and faster drydown. Visit <a href="http://agriculture.newholland.com" target="_blank">agriculture.newholland.com</a>.</p>

<p>SQUARE BALER INNOVATION: New Holland brought back its Hayliner small square baler series with the Hayliner 265, Hayliner 275 and Hayliner 275 Plus. Three models offer different features for different operations, and all have a precision electronic bale length system. The 265 has a 65-inch pickup and 93-stroke-per-minute plunger, with twine or wire options. The 275 offers a 75-inch pickup with a pneumatic gauge wheel, with twine or wire options, upgraded twine knotter, and a two-way hydraformatic bale tension. Visit <a href="http://agriculture.newholland.com" target="_blank">agriculture.newholland.com</a>.</p>

<p>BALE IT BETTER: New Holland introduces its Pro-Belt and Roll-Belt 450 Utility Plus round balers. Designed for commercial-grade baling, these balers are built for durability. The utility version is made to be simpler and more reliable for smaller-scale livestock operations, requiring just 45 hp and offering a 35% wider pickup on windrows. Visit <a href="http://agriculture.newholland.com" target="_blank">agriculture.newholland.com</a>.</p>

<p>BETTER SMALL ROUND BALER: The Case IH RB456A economy baler has an updated wrapping system that’s now common across all Case IH balers. It’s got a 30% wider pickup and onboard moisture sensor option, and it can operate with a 45-hp tractor. The machine is targeted to smaller hay producers baling 500 bales per year. Visit <a href="http://www.caseIH.com" target="_blank">caseih.com</a>.</p>

<p>MAKE ROUND BALES LIKE A PRO: Case IH’s RB6 HD Pro Series round baler is geared toward the high-count bale producer who’s baling 5,000 or more bales a year. This machine is bigger and heavier, and has bigger chains, sprockets and bearings. It weighs about 2,000 pounds more than the average round baler. Three feeder options are available: a standard rotor feeder; medium cut, 13-knife rotor cutter; and fine-cut, 25-knife rotor cutter. It also features a faster cycle tailgate and onboard lubrication for reduced maintenance. Visit <a href="http://www.caseIH.com" target="_blank">caseih.com</a>.</p>

<p>MAKE MOWING GO BETTER: Case IH has added the DC5 mower-conditioner to its forage lineup, with an improved cutterbar for better cut quality and windrow formation. Available sizes include 10-, 11.5-, 13- and 16.5-foot widths. See your dealer for pricing and visit <a href="http://www.caseIH.com" target="_blank">caseih.com</a>.</p>

<p>HAY RAKE EASY TO ADJUST: The Norden wheel hay rake is designed to be more adjustable with a strong spring system. The folding rake is available in models with eight, 10 or 12 wheels, with an optional kicker wheel to turn the center of the windrow. The rake can be used with one side down and the other side up. Contact Norden Mfg. at 877-296-5851 or visit <a href="http://nordenmfg.com" target="_blank">nordenmfg.com</a>.</p>

<p>MADE TO LAST: If you’ve got hay to ted and your hay fields aren’t always the smoothest, check out the GF8703T hay tedder from Kuhn Krause. It’s based on an earlier model but redesigned to be more rugged and durable to handle today’s environments with ease. This tedder features anti-wrap guards to minimize wrapping issues and comes equipped with high-speed transport tires. The 27-foot model is pictured. This tedder is available in different increments from 10.5 to 56 feet. Contact Kuhn North America, Brodhead, Wis., at 608-897-2131 or visit <a href="https://www.kuhn-usa.com/" target="_blank">kuhn.com</a>.</p>

<p>REPURPOSE OLD TIRE: Consider recycling that old tractor tire and use it to feed hay. West Point Design created the Hay Saver, which is basically a basket to hold round bales. Made of welded steel, it sits right on top of large tires and can hold from three to five bales per basket. Contact West Point Design Inc., West Point, Neb., at 402-372-2408 or visit <a href="https://www.westpointimp.com/" target="_blank">westpointimp.com</a>.</p>

<p>GET A BETTER HOLD: MDS Manufacturing offers the Iron Eagle Quadra Grip grapple capable of squeezing a bale with over 16,000 pounds of clamping power. This is for the farmer feeding a lot of bales or someone who wants to handle two round bales at a time and transport them farther distances. It can tackle any loose material in the bucket with its dual-action grapple, which tightens not once but twice. Contact MDS Manufacturing Co. Inc., Parkston, S.D., at 800-658-5703 or visit <a href="https://mdsmfg.com/" target="_blank">mdsmfg.com</a>.</p>

<p>SINGLE-ROTOR RAKE: If you are putting up high-quality dairy or horse hay, the Kuhn GA4230T single-rotary rake is designed for you. It will rake in any condition, from short, brittle hay to 10-foot-tall forage. It acts like a mechanical pitchfork as the tines create a fluffy windrow, allowing for good air movement. The gearbox can handle higher tonnage per acre, all while reducing leaf loss in alfalfa. Contact Kuhn North America, Brodhead, Wis., at 608-897-2131 or visit <a href="https://www.kuhn-usa.com/" target="_blank">kuhn.com</a>.</p>

<p>HAUL A LOT OF HAY:<strong> </strong>This trailer was built for cattle producers as it transports up to 16 bales from the field to farm. This 42-foot-long super-duty trailer has roller latch pins that never fail and never stick. For more information on this heavy-duty, high-capacity hay trailer, contact Better Built Hay Trailers, Grainfield, Kan., at 402-336-5344 or visit <a href="https://www.betterbuiltkansas.com/" target="_blank">betterbuiltkansas.com</a>.</p>