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HP requirement for Hesston 1010 swather

Guess I'm not sure what a 1010 is but I agree with Cedarcreek. Neighbors who used to use 14' 1014 swathers got by with about 60HP (Ford 5000 and MF 265) I'm sure a lot depends on your hay ground. Flat fields would be easier for a smaller tractor than hilly terrain.
 
I'd spend the extra money and have a tractor thats over powered and under worked than have one thats over worked because it's under powered.
 
Denny said:
I'd spend the extra money and have a tractor thats over powered and under worked than have one thats over worked because it's under powered.
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I agree with Denny. Are you putting the hay in big rounds and handling hay with the same tractor? I think a minimum 80 HP tractor would be in order to comfortably handle round bales with a loader.

I use a old Fordson Major Diesel (45HP) on my 3 pt single bale fork. It has a lot more cast iron in it than any 45HP tractor built today. The Major barely handles my 5x5 bales that I estimate weigh 1300lbs on dry ground. In many cases I have to drive in reverse with a bale on to prevent doing wheelies. If I drive forward I have to steer with the brakes and frequently lose the bale off going up hills. Add snow or mud to the mix and I'm better off using a bigger tractor.
 
John SD said:
Denny said:
I'd spend the extra money and have a tractor thats over powered and under worked than have one thats over worked because it's under powered.
Click to expand...

I agree with Denny. Are you putting the hay in big rounds and handling hay with the same tractor? I think a minimum 80 HP tractor would be in order to comfortably handle round bales with a loader.

I use a old Fordson Major Diesel (45HP) on my 3 pt single bale fork. It has a lot more cast iron in it than any 45HP tractor built today. The Major barely handles my 5x5 bales that I estimate weigh 1300lbs on dry ground. In many cases I have to drive in reverse with a bale on to prevent doing wheelies. If I drive forward I have to steer with the brakes and frequently lose the bale off going up hills. Add snow or mud to the mix and I'm better off using a bigger tractor.
Click to expand...


AMEN, John. Your post reminded me of the old days when I would gather big rounds of prairie hay with a D-17 Allis (56 horse) and a bale fork on the back. Reverse and the individual steering brakes were my best friend, then throw 2 feet of snow in the mix and things got wild in a hurry. Then Dad bought his first 4020 and life began to get good. A 3020 would do the job, but a 4020 would do it easier.
 
while the smaller tractor will get the job done get the bigger one for SAFETY SAKE.for the extra cost over the length of time you'll own the tractor it will be cheaper as you can find more work to do with the bigger tractor.i started out pulling a 9ft. mo/co with a 275 international (38 hp.)then upgraded to a 175 massey ferguson.(63 hp).what a difference that made.now 30 years later i'm pulling a 1411 disc bine with a 7610 s new holland mfwd. my biggest oroblem now is the tractors small fuel tank.get the tractor best suited for your equipment and where you plan to be in the next 5-10 years.
 
Small time here. Still bale sm squares with a 14T. Up until 2 yrs ago I cut with a team.

Sounds like about 5hp/foot of sickle bar.

Thanks for the replies.
 
hp is only one requirement for cutter tractor, i have found that a gear giving proper ground speed, and lots of drawbar to ground clearance are equally as important. sometimes you have to go to a bigger tractor to get the last two
 

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