How much horsepower

[the tractor vet]

YUP , even back when we had the 9 foot New Holland and here i forgot what model Number even on my old 450 D in first cutting of radiator high hay third gear was max and the smoke coming out the pipe would tell you how many rounds i made as it was hanging in the air on a calm day . More then once a fire dept was called due to the smoke like the day my buddy and i were plowing back in a field surrounded woods and the black smoke was bellowing up above the tree tops and someone called in a Forrest Fire and the local fire dept shows up only to find two farmall 450 Diesels plowing in one field . Or the time i had my 450 on a neighbors silage blower behind his dairy barn blowing corn silage up a 80 footer and someone going by call the fire dept claiming a barn fire and four trucks show up .

 

[Texasmark]

I run a Ford 538 9' with a Ford 3910. More than enough tractor and tractor weight. Sudan-Sorghum hay crops over 6' tall and as fast as you can stay in the seat (tested but only to see if it could do it and it did. i usually use 4th or 5th with the 8 speed tranny and 80% of PTO max rpms to keep wear and tear down. I could probably do the same job with my Ford 3000 but I have the drawbar extension mounted on the 3910...needed to make square corners (required with my JD 1209s when I was running that rig also to keep the vibrations under control in tight turns.....distance equalizer for Ujoint load requirements). If you buy one get the extension with it or you'll have to make one......If you get to the parts list for what you buy/plan to buy it should be included.

 

[Leroy]

Under those type of conditions we used a Farmall H with no problems.