How to choose the right hay tedder for you.

How to choose the right hay tedder for you.

Tedding hay reduces dry down time and allows producers in wet or humid areas to bale hay faster than conventional drying methods. Tedding can save time and improve hay quality. Just as with a rake, customers should consider the size of their operation, the terrain, time constraints, and budget when deciding which hay tedder to purchase.

When following a rake, mower-conditioner or windrower application that has created a windrow, the tedding application requires feeding the crop into each pair of spinning rotor teeth. The crop enters the rotors with the left rotor turning clockwise and right rotor turning counter-clockwise, spreading and fluffing the hay in a uniform swath. It is desirable to angle the rotors in order to lift the crop high enough off the ground, which will allow it to float to the surface. If the rotor angle or the MPH to RPM of rotor speed is not adjusted to accomplish crop float, the rotors will just ‘stir’ the crop. Check the Operator’s Manual for recommended PTO speed. Use a tedder when the crop is moist enough not to lose leaves following the cutting operation, or after dew or rain have re-moistened the crop. Leafy type crops such as alfalfa or clover are more sensitive to damage when crop moisture level is too low during tedding. A tedder can be used multiple times on a crop if conditions require re-fluffing or un-windrowing to improve drying conditions.

So, which tedder is right for your operation? Take a look at these profiles of each of our Frontier Hay Tedders, then visit your John Deere dealer and get answers to all your tedder questions.

 TD13 Series:

TD1316 

The TD1316 Hay Tedder (US CA) is ideal for customers who need a dependable hay tedder that can handle a variety of crop and field conditions. The TD1316 has a maximum working width of 16 feet, 5 inches (5 m) to allow customers to get more work done in a shorter amount of time. When raised in the transport position the outer rotors can be rotated 180 degrees to give the TD1316 a narrow transport width of 9 feet, 4 inches (2.84 m), when moving from field to field. The tedder can also be raised slightly for headland turns. Each of the four rotors has six tine arms with flexible steel tines to pick up crops in the toughest conditions and minimize ground contact. The frame articulates and is supported by flotation tires allowing the tedder to follow irregular ground contours with ease. This series uses the Digidrive™ coupling system to transfer power from the inner rotors to the outer rotors. The Digidrive™ uses multiple fingers made from forged, case-hardened steel for dependable, maintenance-free operation. The TD1316 is perfect for small to medium sized hay producers that need a dependable tedder for their hay operation.

 TD34 Series:

TD3418

The TD3418 is an excellent solution for smaller commercial operations.

With a tedding width of 18 feet, 2 inches (5.5 m) the TD3418 Hay Tedder (US CA) is great for smaller operations. It features seven round tubular tine arms extending from each of four reinforced rotors and is is designed for utility tractors with a minimum 30 PTO horsepower (22 kW). Tine height is adjustable using the tine height adjustment lever. For transport, the rotors hydraulically fold up and over center to a width of 9 feet, 2 inches (2.80 m) so there’s no need to leave the tractor seat.

TD3427

The TD3427 Hay Tedder is an economical large-field solution.

The TD3427 Hay Tedder (US CA) is ideal for bigger fields. This rugged tool is offered in a 27 foot (8.23 m) tedding width and features six productive rotors – each with seven round tubular tine arms. It has an integrated transport frame, allowing the implement to fold up and tilt forward to a compact 11 feet, 6 inches (3.51 m) wide. For added convenience, the TD3427 has two independent transport wheels for greater ease and maneuverability.

Hook this implement up to tractors with a minimum 55 PTO horsepower (41 kW). Like the 3418, tine height is adjustable using the tine height adjustment lever. After tine height has been set, the tedder can be easily raised or lowered hydraulically from the tractor seat.

And remember, always read the Operator’s Manual before operating any piece of equipment and follow all operating and safety instructions.