Esch Hay Tedders

[TASO]

We are seriously planning on dealing for a new hay tedder here in western PA next spring. We have been casually doing some looking and pricing. The ones made overseas have really jumped in price due to the tariffs. We were thinking about a new Krone but the price is now high. We were quoted ~15,000 for a Krone 4 basket which is beyond the budget. We have been seeing advertising on Esch tedders. They are USA made by Amish or Mennonites in eastern PA. They appear to be as heavily built as a Krone and the prices shown seem reasonable. We would like some feedback from anyone who has owned and operated an Esch 4 basket tedder in the past couple of years. How are they? Thanks.

 

[JOCCO]

Never heard of them. I would look for used in some of the major brands. Prices are crazy everywhere.

 

[DanielW]

A used one popped up here in Ontario a couple of years ago and I went to look at it. Looked like a well built unit, and it had pretty good reviews online from what I read on other forums, but I couldn't justify the price myself so I didn't get it, and thus can't comment directly.

Normally I'd say winter is the time to buy haying equipment. But if you're looking for new, you might try waiting a few months to let things calm down and see where prices land. All manufacturing and raw material companies outside the US are in turmoil right now and not sure what to charge or what demands to expect (and thus how much production to plan on), because no one knows any details about the new president's tariffs talks and how it might affect the equipment/goods they provide. So they're all assuming the worst and bumping up prices accordingly to account for the worst case of future tariffs. I suspect/hope if you give it a month or two things will calm down a little.

You might check out Samasz tedders. The chap who trucks our cattle and does a lot of custom haying in the area bought a new Samasz rotary rake a couple years ago. I was a little skeptical because I'd never heard of them, but apparently the company's been around for decades and he says the dealer he bought it from is superb. I looked over it a few times and watched it run, and I'd say it's the best-built piece of haying equipment I've ever seen. Much better built and more robust than our Kuhn (and I really like our Kuhn).

 

[jhwis]

We are seriously planning on dealing for a new hay tedder here in western PA next spring. We have been casually doing some looking and pricing. The ones made overseas have really jumped in price due to the tariffs. We were thinking about a new Krone but the price is now high. We were quoted ~15,000 for a Krone 4 basket which is beyond the budget. We have been seeing advertising on Esch tedders. They are USA made by Amish or Mennonites in eastern PA. They appear to be as heavily built as a Krone and the prices shown seem reasonable. We would like some feedback from anyone who has owned and operated an Esch 4 basket tedder in the past couple of years. How are they? Thanks.

My dad has one. They work well.

 

[Destroked 450]

My old Sitrex broke beyond repair and I wanted a Krone, but the price was out of budget, got a good deal on a Claas 4 basket with hydraulic fold and tilt, Claas makes some good hay equipment

 

[jhwis]

We are seriously planning on dealing for a new hay tedder here in western PA next spring. We have been casually doing some looking and pricing. The ones made overseas have really jumped in price due to the tariffs. We were thinking about a new Krone but the price is now high. We were quoted ~15,000 for a Krone 4 basket which is beyond the budget. We have been seeing advertising on Esch tedders. They are USA made by Amish or Mennonites in eastern PA. They appear to be as heavily built as a Krone and the prices shown seem reasonable. We would like some feedback from anyone who has owned and operated an Esch 4 basket tedder in the past couple of years. How are they? Thanks.

My neighbor has one too, not just my dad. I use it. It's a nice machine. You won't be disappointed.

 

[SHALER]

Like a couple other posters, I have never used one but have seen many. They are solidly built tedders. Esch is my go to supplier for NH baler and haybine parts

 

[Texasmark]

I have a drum mower from Tar River based in North Carolina which is a lot better than the previous mower from a different mfgr.. When I wore out my old tedder, I checked out theirs and bought it, crate shipped to my farm. I bought the drag type because I preferred its setup and functioning as compared to my first 3 pt mounted unit. I'm very happy with it

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

An Amish equipment place had one a few years ago. New, it looked like it was well made. I just couldn't justify the 12K for my little bit of haying.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

An Amish equipment place had one a few years ago. New, it looked like it was well made. I just couldn't justify the 12K for my little bit of haying.

It was on the lot for a long time in with a bunch of used stuff.

 

[Ray,IN]

I decided long-ago it's more economically sensible to hire making hay performed by a professional. That was after my Ford 700 mower broke and I priced a new one. I just threw away the operators/ service manual yesterday, clearing out my files.