Mower conditioner vs. Tedder

FarmHand78 · Aug 10, 2014

Location: South East Iowa
Crops/acres: 7.5 ac pure alfalfa,8 ac Canary grass, 1 ac 50/50 clover/grass, 10-20 ac pasture grass.
Equipment as of now: Ford 5600 dsl. 540pto 1scv, Kuhn GMD500, Kelderman 10 wheel V rake. John Deere 336 sml square baler w/ thrower. Big rounds are done by a custom baler.
Hay use: Feed for our cow/calf operation, sell leftovers.

My father in law has been going back and forth between buying a hay Tedder or a mower conditioner to help shorten dry time on the alfalfa. Yesterday he found a John Deere 1209 conditioner for $2000 and is really wanting to buy it. I've read a lot on here and I think a Tedder would be a better buy for our operation, even if it is only a 2 basket. I feel the 1209 will be a step backwards with the slower cutting speed.

What is everyone's thoughts?

Thanks,
Nathan

Teslan · Aug 10, 2014

In my area just the conditioner. But from what I read here on haytalk for you guys in humid areas wouldn't both be good?

Gearclash · Aug 10, 2014

For the alfalfa a conditioner would be your better investment. I'm not sure a tedder is even very useful for alfalfa, unless your conditioner can only lay a narrow windrow. Grass is more of a toss-up, but I would still say get a conditioner first, then get a tedder later.

siscofarms · Aug 10, 2014

The conditioner is best for the alfalfa and the tedder is best for the grass . Unless your using a flail conditioner , which is not good for alfalfa . Just keep in mind that the leaves on the alfalfa is everything . A tedder throws hay and is kinda rough on it and if you don't ted at the proper time you'll lose a lot of leaves. Personally I don't use a tedder unless it has been rained on . Grass hay its great . Tedding will gain you atleast a day on baling . And unlike the alfalfa you can throw that grass hay as much as you want and your not gonna hurt it .

mlappin · Aug 10, 2014

A tedder always has use in Alfafla, ted the next morning while the dew is still on, you' won't lose any leaves. If your in an area that you think there isn't enough dew in the morning, then a conditioner is the better way to go.

Vol · Aug 10, 2014

I could not make good alfalfa hay without both....here....I condition my alfalfa and leave it in a wide windrow....for about 3 days this time of year. The morning of the third day I ted it out....the reason is I would lose all my color any other way. I let dry until sometime late morning or very early afternoon and use a rotary rake to windrow it. Then usually late that afternoon I bale it....although under certain conditions I can bale earlier.

Regards, Mike

FarmHand78 · Aug 14, 2014

Thanks for the in put guys. I agree that a conditioner is a good thing to have in a hay operation and can fully see the benefits of each. The JD1209 he went to look at must have been a heap cause FIL didn't think it would have made the trip home! I think he is going to wait till winter and see what comes up for sale, maybe find a good deal and pick up both a Tedder and hay conditioner!

rjmoses · Aug 14, 2014

Vol said:
I could not make good alfalfa hay without both....

Regards, Mike

Me, either. Or good first cutting orchard grass hay.

Alfalfa: Cut today with moco, ted within 24 hours to save leaves.

Grass: Cut today with moco, ted after 24 hours to turn bottom side up for even drying.

Moco on first cutting grass opens seed stems, crushes lower leaf stems.

Third/fourth cutting alfalfa and second/third cutting grass usually don't need tedding.

This is was I do hereabouts.

Ralph

aawhite · Aug 14, 2014

We farmed in SE Iowa, lots of alfalfa and alfalfa/orchardgrass mix. We didn't get a tedder until the late '90's, but ran conditioners almost as soon as they came out.

You could have our conditioner when you pried it from our cold, dead fingers!!

Mower conditioner vs. Tedder

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