Forage harvesting equipment: balers, mowers, rakes and choppers
Where fodder making starts
Forage equipment is a chain: a mower cuts the grass, a tedder and rake form windrows, a baler makes bales or rolls, and a forage harvester or chopper prepares the mass for silage. For a small farm a mower and a square baler are often enough, while a dairy farm needs the whole set. So first decide what fodder you make: hay, straw, haylage or silage.
What the choice depends on
- Tractor power and type: the baler, mower and rake need matching power and a PTO (power take-off shaft). For a mini tractor of 24 hp the choice is narrower.
- Type of baler: a square baler gives small rectangular bales that are easy to load by hand, a round baler makes big rolls for mechanised work.
- The size and weight of the bale or roll decide what you load them with and where you store them.
- Type of mower: a rotary one is faster, a sickle-bar one is simpler and cheaper; there are mounted and trailed models.
- The condition of the knives, the knotter and the pick-up. These are the parts most often repaired.
What to put in your request
- type of machine — baler, mower, rake, tedder;
- which tractor — make and power;
- bale type and size — rectangular bale or round roll;
- make or model, if you already have an option;
- condition and year;
- buy or rent;
- delivery — your district and how it will be sent;
- budget, if you want to name one.
Example: “I am looking for a used small square baler for a 45 hp tractor, not older than 2015, in working order with a knotter. Delivery to Karnal district, budget up to ₹3 lakh.”
How to compare offers
Compare only similar models with each other. Ask about real output and whether spare knives and twine come in the set. For used machines, ask for a video of it working and photos of the knotter, pick-up and wheels. A baler without papers, or with weld marks on the frame, is a reason to be careful.
New equipment gives you a warranty and spare parts, but a used machine from a well-known maker, such as European balers, often suits a small farm. Before buying, check that spare parts are available for that exact model.
Common mistakes
The most frequent one is taking a baler without checking whether the tractor has enough pull and PTO speed. Another is ignoring the moisture of the grass: hay is baled dry, otherwise the bales heat up. People also often forget the binding material: twine or net is needed at once, so ask which kind suits the model and where to buy it.
How it works here
You write one request, and sellers of farm machinery reply in chat: what they offer, the price, delivery and photos. The system compares the offers and shows the best-value one first, and sellers see their place and can improve their terms. Contacts are hidden, and it is free for the buyer.
For pulling power, look at mini tractors, for working the land, tillage equipment, and for other tools, implements and attachments.
