Before heading to the field:

• Baling days are typically hot days, so dress in lightweight, light-colored clothing. Long sleeves and long pants are best for protecting your arms and legs from cuts and scratches when collecting bales. Be sure to bring along a large water jug so you can stay hydrated.
• Pack a tool kit with spare parts to take to the field with you. This will save time during any breakdowns. Include tines, shear bolts, and the tools needed to make repairs.
• Build an extra day into your schedule if possible in case of poor drying conditions or other unforeseen issues.

When you first reach the field:

• Check the moisture levels of your hay one last time. Hay that is too moist when baled will mold. You can do this by use of a moisture probe or by giving it a quick "twist test". To do this, simply grab a fistful of hay and twist it with a circular motion. If the stems break easily, the hay is cured. If they bend, it is not.
• Check your windrows. Consistent windrows lead to uniform bales. The largest windrows the baler can handle will allow the baler to perform more efficiently and also minimize leaf loss.
• Ensure that the baler's tines are about 1" off the ground. This reduces dirt contamination of the baled hay and reduces baler wear and tear since stones aren't as likely to be picked up. If you are unsure of how to adjust the height of the tines, refer to your manual for guidance.

As you begin baling:

• Expect the need to tweak the baler during the first few minutes of baling, especially the first time out in the field each season. Every hay crop is different, and the baler will need to be adjusted accordingly.
• Adjust your driving speed to match the baler pickup speed. A properly fed baler will reduce the time it takes to bale while improving bale quality and consistency. Also note that larger windrows will require slower driving speeds.
• Get off the tractor after the first few bales and check bale density and shape. Also check to see if net wrap/twine is wrapping correctly. Doing this will lead to bales that preserve better and retain quality. Bales that are properly wrapped and of optimum density will be better protected from weather and easier to transport and store.

At the end of the day:

• Always clean up your baler when you're finished baling. Remove any hay in the bale chamber. Check to make sure the pickup is clear and nothing is wound around the tine bars.
• Use compressed air, not water, to clean the gears, chain, and other moving parts.
• Oil chains as necessary with an appropriate chain lube. Hit all grease zerks.
• Store the baler in a dry environment. Doing this will not only ensure the baler is ready to go the next time you want to use it, it will also reduce the opportunity for rust to form on unpainted parts, prolonging the life of your baler and ensuring peak performance.
• For end-of-season tips for storage.

  
  
  Answers to general questions you may have:
  How many bales per hour should I expect my Baler to produce? 
  If your Hay Baler is the twine wrap model, you can expect it to average approximately 80 bales per hour in good conditions.  you can expect closer to 100 bales per hour. The difference in production rate is due to the number of times the bales are wrapped in the chamber. Twine bales are wrapped 8-10 times while net bales are wrapped only twice.