Ditch the Sickle Mower & Square Baler: My Favorite Small Tractor Hay Gear

Mike covers three specific small-tractor hay tools as alternatives to the sickle mower and square baler: the Kuhn drum mower (still available), the New Idea 5406 disc mower (discontinued), and the Hesston 530 round baler (discontinued). He explains the mechanical design, horsepower requirements (30 PTO hp for all three), used-market availability, and trade-offs of each. Best for small-acreage owners who want practical guidance on low-horsepower hay equipment.

Tractor Mike is a longtime tractor-industry insider with decades of hands-on experience in the equipment business. He built his channel to help first-time and rural buyers make confident decisions, and his guidance comes from that deep, long-term background rather than a sales pitch.