As soon as you think you have everything you need in the way of equipment something breaks down or wears out. Such is the case with our hay tedder. What’s that??? Well, it’s a piece of equipment that speeds up the drying process of the hay that has been cut and that usually saves at least one day, sometimes two, depending on the heaviness of the hay. The most important function of the tedder is it fluffs the hay to let air flow through the rows of cut hay, and it also brings the bottom of the hay to the top and exposes it to sunlight, which leads to faster, more uniform dry down.
Our wore out tedder is a single row machine and since we had a good last sale of our calves for 2022, Eddie decided to buy a double row machine to make things go even faster. She’s a beauty and she’s ready for the hayfields.
The hay tedder is also a fantastic tool to dry hay when we get an unexpected shower after the hay is cut or if a fall cutting gets frosted after it’s been cut. We let the sun dry the top and flip with the tedder to dry what was on the bottom.
We’re always looking for ways to improve our farming work and time and make life just a tad better. Now we just need for Mother Nature to do her part.
Living the Country Life My Way 
Gosh, I love reading about your farming activities. I was just telling my husband that I thought the tedder you’re describing must be what we called a rake. Turns out he knew it was also called a tedder! Thinking back to learning about equipment and processes reminded me of how much I learned: that the expression ‘held together with baler twine’ was a statement of fact often; that farmers have to invest LOTS of upfront money to purchase very expensive machinery, seed, fertilizer, etc.; that Mother Nature has the final word; and, that supply and demand can still spoil the equation. Good thing it’s still such a satisfying lifestyle!!
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The tedder is somewhat different from the rake. The rake brings the hay into a row that the baler picks up for the bales. The tedder opens and spreads while the rake pulls it all together. I thought they were the same thing but hubby and daughter have corrected my thinking and now I pay more attention to the machines as they do their thing. The inventors are to be commended!!!
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