Removing the Bad Hay From the Hay Field

[@bobcruse512]

My hats off to you. Any person that is willing to admit their mistakes is comfortable in their own skin. Sadly, today it seems when mistakes are made it's always something or someone else's fault.

[@ze-germans-r-coming]

that is because society mercily hits you on the head when you admit mistakes. We are being socialized in a way that you cannot do that anymore because we have to fear long term consquences :/ My former boss was alwys like: You reflect so much. That's such a strength .... and it got me nothing. The promotion I was supposed to get? Nope... :) F*** those corporate clowns.

[@trevornolting2833]

I'd use that hay as bedding as it will decompose quicker and then you won't need to buy bedding materials

[@ekfalcons09]

Only if it doesn't have any mold on it

[@allanvaneste9106]

Won't be much mold on it after hitting it with the mower and the rake.

[@BRI33NOR]

@@ekfalcons09 Seen / handled/ spread hundreds of tons of manure, bedding material well used, never seen any mouldy manure, be a strong type that stood up to the rotting process. Hell I was polite there wasn't I ?.

[@suziqbrown7073]

I so admire someone who can smile and say "I made a mistake". Everyone does but some just choke on the words. It was a very nice video. For some strange reason it is so satisfying to watch a mess being cleaned up.

[@jamesmason8944]

Good lad Evan, and Rebecca playing her part in supporting you. Your honest smile makes you stand out as someone who tries to do what is right, but everyday is a school day. Best regards from Scotland.

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... Country View Acres - Evan and Rebecca nice to see you both love watching your videos, thank you for showing your video homestead chicken Duck Goose farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 👕🐔🐓🐥🐕🐈🐖🐐🐄🐠🏡🎥👍👍👍

[@2001joefox]

Evan, I admire your calm demeanor and positive attitude when things go wrong. I also enjoy how you talk through what, how, and why you do what you do. Keep up the great work!

[@PlanetMojo]

We put bad hay in the heads of ravines, gullies, etc. It controls erosion and eventually composts and fills the area in.

[@hoberghacienda2267]

Rebecca, My Dad baled a skunk once! The skunks final act was to empty his scent glands. For a long time afterwards, you could always tell when Dad worked on the baler. He had a certain "air" about him!😄

[@cathiwim]

Oh my goodness!

[@jamjar5716]

😣 ewww!

[@BradMyers]

You can use the bad hay for bedding, filling in washouts, for sitting places around the camp fire, etc.

[@SwedishFarmer94]

Love how instead of ignoring everyone you actually listened, humble and eager to learn from others. Admirable! Keep it all up bud!

[@augustreil]

That's very rare here on the Tube. Good people.

[@jbraeslamb]

The driver needs to adjust their speed when the baler approaches a big lump of hay, even stop if necessary. That should save a few shear bolts.

[@bigjim5723]

that is true, but since it was her first-ahh 2nd time even baling-i think she done good. i was thinking while he was raking them split bales, he should of made the rows a bit smaller in the beginning. but hey if ya never did it before-u gotta learn somewhere-right

[@peterjventura586]

In 26 years of bailing hay with basically the exact same equipment as you, except for a JD tractor, I had four seasons where everything worked flawlessly! That being said, I did get faster and faster making repairs! lol

[@corydriver7634]

This comment pretty much sums it up. 👍🏻

[@goodalefarm4950]

Nice job Rebekah.

[@steveadams4009]

My friend, I am almost 70 years old and have been baling hay since before I was old enough to drive and I'll have to admit that you have probably more determination than anyone I've ever seen. You know that old super 78 bailer has got to have everything just right for it to work. I have had a couple of them and you need to keep the knives sharp, make sure all the bearings are good, look at your knoters and make sure there's no groove worn into them that's the quickest way to break a bail. When you sharpening knives make sure you sharpening both and try to keep them as close as you can to even.

[@ronvera]

Tom and Charlie Silva like your shirt as do I.

[@michaelmason2128]

Just a positive thought. A bad day on the farm is better than any day in suburbia. Every day you get up on a property that is beautiful. I will say I'm jealous.

[@UN4RACING12]

This 2 video experience is and has been a great service to the farming community. We just had an identical experience. Saved us a lot of work. Thank you very much for sharing all this great info.

[@BosnWayne]

The school of hard knocks is a good way to learn. Keep smiling

[@farmertylerranch4399]

You absolutely did the right thing getting the junk hay out. All of the trouble was nothing compared to what you would have faced if you left it out there!

[@chaunceypullman3380]

It has tons of usage. Even poor farmers will buy it. Use for bedding, land erosion and decorative hay bales as well. Just gotta think outside the box. Hope you had a Great Father's Day. Both you and your Dad.

[@chaunceypullman3380]

@@mmm365 I have been wondering that myself. As i told my sister years ago. I say to both male and female. We all have kids in our lives we care for. So I say to them all Happy Mother's or Father's day when it rolls around. I have been father to 5 kids and don't have any biological of my own. Going on 60

[@augustreil]

@@mmm365, Yes, 2, I think ?

[@Me-ov9nw]

Don't get discouraged, your doing your best! Videos are really great, super drone footage, and your REAL. No fluff, just honest, hard working people. I look forward to every video!😁

[@cathiwim]

Me too! He’s up there with Andrew Camarata, Letsdig18, Post10, and DirtPerfect in my house!

[@jimcour291]

at worst Evan, it will make fair bedding

[@cathiwim]

When you limb up your trees, limb them up to 10 feet, that should give you room for next time. Good job you guys! Proud of you! You are learning so much!

[@jamesberriedale4910]

Hi Evan, Who said farming was easy, especially with older equipment? Your absolutely right to have a positive outlook, it will all come together in the end it always does. As you said hopefully you can work all the problems out now before 2nd cut. Thank you for sharing all your ups and downs, to many only show the highlights and good times.

[@gerryspang5917]

This is easier than trying to bale it by yourself like last year, could you not use the hay for bedding like straw, it’s poor quality hay but not mouldy just hate to see the hay being composted. Thumbs up to Rebecca who did well running the tractor especially since it was only the second time. If you can see a larger brake shop, they can make the discs. Wish I were there to try to give you a hand, one thing, you’re like me, I always learned by the school of hard knocks. Someone once said you can’t buy experience but it’s expensive. Enjoy your videos, keep them coming.

[@jamesmorrison1884]

Gerry Spang your right can have the clutch pads made.

[@trwsandford]

You have a bunch of folks that care watching!

[@joha7484]

Happy Fathers Day Evan !!!

[@bevnelson3678]

Oh I was so excited to see you both working hard to get off bad hay, but I could almost cry seeing those bails falling apart on you. So hope one day you’ll be able to get a new hay bailer. Hope you get time to cut back all those trees before the next cutting. keep up the good work. Rebekah you did well driving the tractor. Even you have a beautiful wife that can do and help out with everything as well your amazing Rebekah. I love watching your videos and seeing you Beth work together is great. Your my number one favourite to watch the top of my list to watch.

[@vanessakristle7599]

Rebecca I am so proud of you!! You're amazing and a great example of a farmers wife!

[@Smacker3801]

I don't look at it as a mistake, the weather information was wrong and not in your favour as you thought it would be and the implement failures were beyond your control as you serviced them before use plus Rebeca gained confidence in handling the tractor and you put together a very entertaining video, I think the good parts win hands down, keep em coming Evan

[@kapperoutdoors]

Man I think you need a little mud on the tractor! Lol, beautiful day to be outside.

[@TCWRHF]

Things are hard sometimes but I believe you made the right call getting that off the field. Plus you could use it for bedding or compost like you said. Your doing great brother!

[@pampilgrim2274]

Hi, Evan and Rebecca! I admire your patience. So sorry for your struggles.

[@joeyyoung2851]

Evan don’t beat yourself up. You are a brave and forthright man in admitting your mistakes especially to an audience on KZbin 😊. It’s all experience and learning, you have taken away a valuable lesson and the best lessons are learned from going through the grief and coming out with a ‘let it go attitude’ and moving on. Well done to Rebecca for getting in the tractor and driving. It’s difficult with dogs running around but they are young and quick.

[@MrJuzt1n]

Restoring that baler sounds like a good winter project

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

That T654 looks good ripping across that field.

[@marksimonar1550]

Rebecca's doing a awesome job !! Two cheers for Rebecca !!

[@beebop9808]

Happy the puppies weren't bailed hahaha

[@joannak4640]

I'm sorry you went through all of that. Good for you for persevering

[@kenhart6330]

My Great grandfather told me that you never stop learning and he was 93 while I was 16 years old, the best advice I was ever given I'm now 66 myself. If you ask or listen you will be given all the information you want/need. Well done on hearing what everyone let you now know. Keep up the videos and don't be discouraged by all of the comments.

[@anitamoolman168]

It’s so enjoyable to watch someone farming ( as my dad was a farmer) without swearing and using foul language. Hang in there you’ll still come up smiling 😊

[@KCAATV]

Evan, When I saw you making those huge windrows, I thought, wow, I hope he has a box of sheer bolts with him. Although it was a bit painful to watch, all is well that ends well. You would have been able get a lot more bad hay off the field if you would have made normal size windrows and lowered your rake a little. It would have been much easier on you and the baler. When I baled hay for the public, I told customers to get their hay cut and baled by the first person who will do it and don't wait on anyone. Then, if their hay got rained on, I would remind them that a bovine has multiple stomachs to digest it and humans won't be eating it. The best thing to do with the bad hay that is baled, is to use it for erosion control. It makes a good way to fill in a ditch.

[@farmall1farmall132]

Yea those old balers don't like speed big gobs of hay nor any wet hay

[@richardcleasby105]

A smart move to get the hay off the field

[@charlescarriere76]

You guys are learning the hard way, but at the end, you will be so knowledgable. We are behing you, keep the faith.

[@englishteacher1260]

Experience is the best teacher.

[@jeankelly368]

You are a good farmer. Weather is so not predictable. God bless your hard work. Growing up on a 50-acre working farm myself, I can appreciate what you are going thru.

[@jamjar5716]

No apologies needed. No use kicking yourself. You did not yell or take the frustration out on anyone. You learned the right way. You figured out how to fix what needed fixing. You did a great job!

[@tonygough8713]

Evan I am impressed that you do whatever it takes to get the job done. Sorry about the rain ruining your hay but I think you made the right decision to get the hay off the field. Thanks for all the good videos.

[@whitby910]

Most experienced farmers have gone through the same situation and learning curve, you should feel like a professional now. After all the definition of a professional, in my opinion, 'Is knowing what you can get away with'. Perfection and no mistakes is not the real world. Great joint effort. You and Duffy are becoming my favourites.

[@jimmieusaf-pol2639]

Nice shirt, Evan...there is a whole lot of construction knowledge and skill in that family. I used to live up in IL, Dixon was my favorite place of the three places I lived up there. Nice little town, and their Petunia Festival is always a good time. Stay safe you all!

[@fraser5032]

Thanks for the video. In SW Ontario it's been tough weather wise for horse hay. You aren't the only person who bushhogged wet hay.

[@steve-qx6um]

Evan, I admire your ability to deal with adversity.

[@CimLayne]

Hey, Evan and Rebecca, I love your videos. You guys have put so much work into your farm over the past two years. I don't know where you find all the energy. I don't think I had that kind of energy even when I was your age (I'm about to turn 75). Good thing you are mechanically inclined, so you can do your own equipment repairs. I just read through all the comments on this video and the last to see what people are advising you, some constructive, some bonehead. My advice to you is try the things that sound like they might work for you and ignore the rest. You are a quick learner, whether from reading instructions or finding things out the hard way by making mistakes. I like it when you show your errors and think out loud how you'll correct them. All while working a full-time job off the farm. You are a phenomenon!

[@DancerOfClouds]

Having baled a lot of hay, I kind of cringed seeing such large windrows. Some times less is more. Your Rebecca could be a twin sister of my Leah, even down to the cap! Well done to you both.

[@ruthkent7190]

Your open mindedness, thoughtful process, committment to share freely is awesome, thank you! Amazing Grace...

[@leol1682]

You and your wife make good team but tell her wen the baler get to much hay it stock in it tel her stop let baler have chance swalow it in . your very good guy's .love your video .

[@BADEB58]

I guess you are learning the best way cause you will never do it again. We are lucky to learn with you cause you are enough generous to share with us. Thank you.

[@michaelchastain4957]

I have heard that you are supposed to loosen the clutches and slip them as preventive maintenance. That may be why you break sheer pins. Most of the videos I've seen are for brush hog but I would say it may be the same for a bailer. Tractor Mike has a good video on it. I have no experience but have watched lots of tractor videos. Great videos. I love them.

[@paulmetz1168]

You’re doing a great job, listening and sharing others experience is always the key.

[@macEboy]

Evan, it takes a good man to take advise and acknowledge when their wrong. Many won't. You learned. Cheers to you my brother.

[@bigfootwojak4393]

Bad hay makes cheap bedding, throw it out for the deer in the winter or use it to garden via the Ruth stout style etc. It's definitely not worthless

[@c50ge]

Also good for controlling erosion

[@jglenbright1215]

Been where you are on this project. Appreciate your positive attitude. Wife great partner. Great experience

[@jamesdiehl8690]

Learning how to do stuff on the farm caused the invention of equipment to do things. It still that way today! More learning, more equipment, more progress. Unless of course you want to use a hay rake scythe.

[@russellpetrie119]

keep the revs up on the baler it will knot better also keep the hay can be good for bedding

[@MrJabberewocky]

You really scared me when you were standing so close to that power takeoff bar on the baler. That thing will tear off arms or legs without a second thought. Respect that.

[@shawnleeriley2726]

Love the view from the tractor passing the pond.

[@hillsidefarm7355]

The hay can still be used for mulch hay or sold in the fall for decorations. Just an idea. Both of you did a great job, just keep your head up and keep learning. I wish I head your patience. Keep the videos coming.

[@kipcudd7253]

I remember when we baled alfalfa, 5 cuttings a year, if the wind rows were big dad would have to slow down as slow as the tractor would go, slower than walking speed, and I'd have to walk down the rows with a pitch fork separating the hay in the thicker parts of the wind rows. We had a 24 acre field of alfalfa, but I was 12 years old and alot of energy then. Anywhere from 1200 to 1500 85 lb bales per cutting. We had a New Holland self propelled swather/crimper/wind rower machine and a baler like the one you have. Our field was irrigated with a wheeled sprinkler system. We were getting $85 per ton at that time during the 60's 70's. Good times but alot of work. Farmed 1200 acres of land plus cattle.

[@piledriver141]

85 lbs, I worked hay as a kid here in Texas. But mostly just grass nothing special. Probably 50lbs max. I’d hate to be trying to throw 85 pound bales up on a trailer and stack it in a barn!!

[@ronaldlee2376]

@@piledriver141 When we wire tied bales in early 50's they weighed between 75-125#s each, was glad I did not have to handle them except to wafer off to feed calves.

[@marshallsuber3346]

I'm really sorry about the extra work but this was the best idea. Seeing the amount of hay remaining even after bush hogging showed the need to remove the bad hay. Blessings from New Orleans.

[@kingkong7617]

Rebecca did a really good job of driving the tractor for only the second time and you did a really good job of getting the bad hay off the field. That will make a big difference on next years hay yield. Gerry is right about using the hay you just bailed for bedding for the animals and other projects. I can tell you that you and Rebecca both working full time jobs and running a farm on the side is hard work, but the two of you have made it work.

[@davidcrew6439]

SO GOOD THAT YOU LISTEN TO OTHER FARMERS. I'M NOT A FARMER. BUT I READ SOME GOOD COMMENT ON WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. !!!

[@TheChocrose]

Good job showing how life gives us lemons sometimes. I am proud of the way you handled a difficult situation. My hats off to you and Rebecca. Mike from Denver and see

[@jrleininger4110]

When you put the slip clutch back together again,turn the flywheel backwards as far as you can.This will allow the baler to pick up speed before it hits the heavy spot again.

[@dwightl5863]

I do believe the sharpening of the plunger knife on the baler made a nicer bale.

[@theburnhams2925]

Evan, Sure glad to see you removed that rain-spoiled hay. There are many uses for "mulch" hay; erosion control, weed suppression, road side re-seeding, bedding, etc. You can sell it provided buyer understands that it's not feed quality. So good job...enjoy your videos.

[@gregkurtz4374]

Hang in there, you and your wife are doing great. I really enjoy following along.

[@scottbaker3659]

This vlog right here is exactly why we love to watch you guys .... Don't be to discouraged or kick yourself to much.. Anyone that's worked hay has had things like this mount up and make for a horrible week trying to save your hay field.. And if they say they haven't they're either lying or very lucky.. 😂.. Anyways way to stick with it.. It's how we learn the ta dos and the ta donts

[@jdschini]

I know this video is from 2 years ago. But since I am a new subscriber. I am still catching up by watching your early ones. My what a frustrating time you had with this rained on hay. Back when I was farming, I had this happen to me several times too. It is one of the biggest challenges in farming. Deciding when to cut hay, how to get it dried and baled before rains. You always try your best. You constantly listen to all of the weather forecasts. Work day & night. And then sometimes you still lose it to rain. Since I was a dairy farmer. I had a forage chopper. This allowed me to just chop the hay and blow it back onto the field. A regular forage chopper cuts hay up as fine as 1” in length. Then you position the discharge spout of the chopper at 90 degrees from the windrows as you drive. And it also helps to do it on a windy day. This always worked good for me. So if there is a next time for you on this issue. You might try to find a neighbor that has an old hay chopper to borrow or rent. But I hope you never lose another crop. Some of my other options for wet hay. I would just bale it up a little tuff. Then feed those bales out to my cows right away. Or, I spread the bales out in the barn set up on edge. This allowed the moisture to escape as they dried down. I think you have a round baler. You can typically bale at higher moistures with a round baler. Bottom line is you must get the old hay off of the fields. I really admire your determination and humble spirit. We all make mistakes. And most times they were the best teacher for me. Thanks & have a blessed weekend!

[@JohnSmith-fs4dx]

Appreciate you sharing lessons learned for people like me who don't have experience. Thanks and keep the videos coming!

[@d6joe]

I have farmed full time for many years. Some days a decision made 100% correct will be 100% wrong a few days later. Just the way farming is. I’m still learning after many years, it’s different every year.

[@kphifer]

Thanks for sharing all your experiences.

[@piledriver141]

Agree with others on here. Keep Wind rows smaller.slow down or stop when you go to pick up a really thick spot, broken bale tall Wind-row area. Don’t give up. Maybe you can find rpm settings for that specific Bailer on the Net. If not you will find the sweet spot!! Good luck 👍

[@duanebarr1488]

Hi Evan. Another great video. Something I noticed is that you pull those bales up the chute. Do yourself and you're back a Big favor and let the baler push those bales all the way up the chute and on to the hay rack floor (or pick them up at the end of the chute before they fall). Dragging those 60 pound bales up that chute adds a lot of extra work, every 100 bales means you're moving 6000 pounds (3 tons) up that chute. You may need to slacken off the bale tension a bit because the baler pushing that extra weight up the chute will add a bit of weight to your bale, but not too much. Take Care

[@gregwest4732]

Excellnt video ! I appreciate the way you tell it the way it is. I think you and Rebecka are doing a very good job on your farm.

[@jerrybaird2059]

Evan, you are a prince. And an inspiration.

[@theburnhams2925]

Find a brake shop to replace friction discs. As for shear pins, grade 2 is what to use. Higher grades won't shear and protect baler. You seriously don't want to get into the havoc that grade 5 (or higher) bolts can cause in your machine. You can eliminate shear pins altogether by installing a modern slip clutch (which will have parts availability) . I wish you had asked me about bush-hogging that hay field. (Of course I realize there's no way to do that.....) You may have obtained better "chopping" results with a flail mower, but you did the best thing by removing the spoiled hay from the field. I'd wager you'll be a bit more cautious watching your weather "windows" in future..... Wait until you're under a large high-pressure dome to cut hay....almost no matter what stage the hay is in. Seedy, stalky hay isn't preferred, but it's better than nothing! Not to mention all the work created by rotten hay...

[@jimjasper9314]

A newbie with part time hours so you are doing great with what you have done. Chalk it up and enjoy the many many successes you have had.

[@sherry2836]

I really admire you for sharing the good, bad and not so good looking aspects of farming. I'm sure you had some "colorful" moments off camera (Joe at Northern Seclusion) during the frustrating repairs, but you got the job done. And didn't bale the dogs! It's awesome that you have some great viewers with farming experience to help you! Who knew KZbin would become a farming tool?

[@andrewl7467]

We all are humbled by Mother Nature, keep up the good work. Messicks parts if you don’t have a NH dealer close by. They also have the parts diagram on there website.

[@olberarosa2346]

WOW YOU ARE A VERY AMAZING PERSON YOU really know WHAT YOU ARE doing GOD KEEP on BLESSEING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

[@roscoejones4515]

Love your on-time videos and the fact that you read and learn from the commenters! So many youtubers are so far behind with their vids, they make horrible errors in their projects and nobody can help. Glad you decided to bail up the hay, I don't know anything about it but it was obvious from the comments that it was the thing to do. Good job!

[@TomBiggerstaff-gn1ws]

It's hard to run that old crap thru any baler but now you can use it to mulch around the new building after you back fill . That little that's left on the field won't hurt and will help retain moisture you guys make a good team my hats off to you

[@randybutler4772]

We are all learning everyday. Keep at it, it will become easier. Thank you for sharing.

[@raypitts4880]

2 things to help 1 driver keep the wind row in the feeder and also save you back let the baler push the bale to you as long as you catch before a corner lovely job on a bad move.

[@vlookup_tim]

A-plus for effort. Don't be too discouraged. You'll find a good use for the bales and experience gained.

[@ghostfox3560]

Sucks seeing that bailler still is being a bugger for ya. Hopefully the new shop helps with getting that little machine working better again. Thanks for sharing these videos. Really gives me a better understanding what my dad's friends deal with in Upstate New York with what my dad used to call Hay Season and the troubles that go with it.

[@davidb.beasley7359]

Keep up the good work. You are building a beautiful farm. Congratulations on the new barn. It's nice.

[@TheBaken1]

Learning the hard way seems to be the only way I learn. It's refreshing to see people who aren't afraid to show their mistakes. It helps us all learn. Thanks for your open and honest videos

[@johnr8439]

Evan you're learning from your mistakes and now a better man for it. So many wouldn't admit the mistake. Good for you and love the channel!

[@JamesCouch777]

I had the advantage of coming from several generations of farmers and I grew up farming which made it a lot easier for me when I started farming. Experience is priceless 👍😉