Hot Hay Bales??? Moisture & Temperature Meter / Probe Review - JD SW16136 (aka: AgraTronix DHT-1)

[@jvin248]

Look into bale accumulators for your small squares, to be as easy as one person handling rounds. Instead of kicker wagon shuffling you pull the accumulator behind the baler and it drops eight or ten bales at a time. Then a front end loader grapple picks and loads on a flat wagon. Either tight park full wagons in the barn or use the grapple loader to unload wagons and stack in the barn. Several different styles of compatible accumulator/grapple systems. If I went back in time to when I was haying on the farm that would have been a great system.

[@HumbleHaymakers]

No way would we go with an accumulator when we can make one pass across the field, bale and store the wagons in the barn against a coming rain. An accumulator setup is more expense and field time we don’t need.

[@farmerpete]

Thanks for the review. I’ve been thinking about getting a moisture tester or putting a moisture tester on the baler. Been making hay for 50 years without one, but like you said, more information is good, another tool to use.

[@HumbleHaymakers]

I assume there is some accuracy with the tester. Info from it might prevent a barn fire.

[@Dan-qy1rg]

Round bales for cattle are better if they are too green when baling, but they will eat them even if they are a little spoiled or moldy. That said I prefer not to have any if possible, but when you get windrows under the trees with heavy shading that becomes a little difficult. For me green bales, when I do them, were always nicer looking in the roll than dry hay. I think your hay looks good, your JD 335 is doing good. It's nice to be able to use these older balers, you have shown that they can do a nice job and save some cost from old balers to new ones, thanks. Have a good weekend!

[@HumbleHaymakers]

Thanks!

[@Rollinghillsfarmsmn]

Interesting info. I’ve baled without one for 50 years, relying on my sense of touch and smell, but I’d like to back it up with precise measurements…especially for squares going in the barn. My neighbor has one built into his new round baler…

[@HumbleHaymakers]

I added a moisture meter to my square baler years ago and it really gives valuable feedback. If the readings go to high, we turn on the hay preservative. I see a lot of new round balers with moisture meters either optional or standard.

[@Rollinghillsfarmsmn]

@@HumbleHaymakers Did you make a video on that?

[@HumbleHaymakers]

@@Rollinghillsfarmsmn I have not, but I will…👍

[@kimculver1038]

The first time l bought a round bale in 1977 the old guy at that time told me that he let them set out for 6 days so they could cure l still don’t really understand that but it must mean that it will sweat out the moisture. I bale my rounds when they are dry enough that square bales would keep l have put.in rounds in a light drizzle no problem with them keeping. I like your explaining

[@HumbleHaymakers]

I see a lot of clearly higher moisture hay going into round bales that are not wrapped. Must be working for some - there isn’t a rash of barn fires around here.

[@davidcassady8491]

I believe it takes 21 days for hayyo go through its heat

[@reppfarms4493]

“The round bale experience was good”…As time goes on, baling becomes very dependent about help. I understand that small squares have better sale value, but the ease of round baling can’t be beat- basically a one man operation

[@HumbleHaymakers]

Definitely a trade-off between labor vs potential revenue.