by Travis Rawn
Picture this: Storm clouds loom on the horizon. You’re out in the field with the last 20 acres of hay to bale, trying to beat the rain. Suddenly, a belt on the baler breaks. The remaining windrows of hay will get soaked before you can make the repair.
Some breakdowns are unavoidable, but many can be avoided with a little preparation and maintenance.
Each year, do a walk-through of all the equipment you use for haying. Do this at least a few weeks in advance so you can order any necessary parts. Here are some steps to take before getting hay on the ground:
- Clean out old hay. If you haven’t already, clear out any leftover hay from last season to reduce the risk of fire once haying begins.
- Grease equipment. It’s an essential part of any maintenance program to grease equipment. But don’t overdo it; excess grease can be harmful. Stop putting in grease once it starts to become visible.
- Replace worn belts on baler. Check belts for excessive wear or holes, and inspect splices to ensure they’re in good condition. A worn splice can cause the belt to split and lead to inconsistent bale tension.
- Change broken teeth or blades. To ensure a consistent cut, replace any dull or broken blades or teeth. Many mowers and swathers have replaceable or reversible components, so you may be able to flip them before swapping them out entirely.
- Swap damaged tines or teeth. Rakes, tedders, balers and swathers all have various types of tines or teeth to help move and accumulate forage. If any are broken or bent, replace them.
- Test bearings. A bad bearing can cause excessive heat and pose a major fire risk, making it vital to check them all. One way to do this is by baling 15 to 20 bales and then checking to see if any bearings are overly hot.
- Examine fluids. If you use tractors or any self-propelled equipment for haying, check that levels for liquids like oil, hydraulic fluid and coolant are all at the suggested amounts.
- Check tire pressure and tread. Make sure tires are in good condition with the recommended levels of air pressure, which can help with maintaining cutting heights.
- Investigate electronic wiring. Newer equipment has more electronics, so take a moment to verify that all wiring works. During the off-season, rodents could damage wiring of equipment in storage.
Shop for parts early
In addition to prepping equipment, stock up on spare parts. Order some additional teeth, blades, tines and belts, so a minor breakdown can be fixed quickly. Keep enough twine and net wrap on hand to get started with the first cutting, too.
And while you’re preparing, don’t overlook safety gear. Keep fire extinguishers easily accessible, make sure they haven’t expired and have them inspected if needed — a little precaution can go a long way in an emergency.
Dealer support
Local dealerships are valuable resources when it comes to maintenance and troubleshooting. Companies like Ziegler Ag Equipment are available to provide parts, or routine maintenance and repairs you might not be comfortable with or have the time to do. They can also provide support in the field when more serious breakdowns occur.
If you buy new or used equipment from a dealer ahead of haying season, it should be ready to perform in the field. Credible dealers will typically do a major predelivery inspection and offer to be present when you first operate the equipment.
Performing preseason maintenance and stocking up on essential parts can be the difference between experiencing a smooth haying season and racing against the rain. Take the time now to prepare, so when the storm clouds roll in, you’re ready.
Rawn is a tractor and hay product manager at Ziegler Ag Equipment in Minnesota, Iowa and northwest Missouri.