HP needed to run 4 star tedder

[BrickyMark]

Looking to buy a used 4 star tedder something around 18" wide,cut with a 9" haybine.Was wondering how much hp is needed to ted a heavy stand of clover/orchard grass.We have a 55 hp/and a 70 hp tractor.I would like to go with the 4 star size for a faster tedding we live in a high humidity area.Also what are the brand of tedders you all use and what type of service do you get from them.TIA Mark

 

[Ken Macfarlane]

A 4 star needs about 25 hp to run in heavy hay.

The quality is usually roughly represented by price. Tedders are not long lived machines. They tend to wear out fast and break alot unless you buy the really expensive ones.

The deutz's are pretty well built but now old, and parts are sky high. Kuhn makes a variety of light to heavy units but they are usually pricy. Neighbours have a small 4 star Kuhn and it is really reliable. Seems to skip over the stuff. Kuhn used to make a bunch of the New Holland stuff too.

I've seen a lot of hesston tedders around, have seen a few in the shop too getting the same kinds of repairs.

If you have rough fields expect lots of repairs. Good smooth fields, they all should do well.

 

[Ken Macfarlane]

By the Kuhn skipping over stuff, I mean it will ride on the tines and make it over a hole that the wheel drops into. My heavy deutz's will drop in and shear things.

 

[scot in pa]

We ran our tedders with the 300 regularly. All that's needed.

 

[Lew Best]

I picked up an old Kuhn; got a question. Tedders are not used in this area much; I wanted it as last year I had a baler breakdown right after raking, it rained & I had no way to spread the hay back out. It's a 4 rotor 3pt; how should it be set? The pix I've seen appear to be a little "nose down"; is this correct or should it be level? nose up? I'd just like to know "where to start."

Thanks

Lew in central

 

[Vito]

You want to set it so the front of the teeth are just above the ground,but will not dig in.This will tilt the rotors toward the front.

Vito

 

[Lew Best]

Thanks; I thought that was what the videos looked like but they can be decieving.

Lew

 

[Hay Dr]

Most 18' tedders list 30 HP as the recommended minimum HP.

 

[Farmallhal]

We run a Sitrex 3 basket tedder with a Farmall Super C with no problem but it might be a little less then 18 feet wide with both sides folded down. I think the SC is around 25 hp and maybe a little less. Hay is a mixture of various grasses but is quite heavy in places but SC works fine and doesn't seem overloaded. Hope this helps, Hal.