Haymaking time finally arrived in Cumbria after almost a week of rain-free days so it was out into the fields to watch some classic blue Fords gathering the hay crop under cloudless blue skies!
On the Claas Liner 470S rake was the farms Ford 7610 series II gently gathering up the crop ahead of the conventional baler outfit. Powering the International 440 baler was one of two Ford 4600s the farm owns and this combination of tractor and baler would have been a very common sight back in the 1970s/ early 80s.
The 40-plus year old International 440 (Nash as they are commonly known as) was going really well especially considering it was a very bulky hay crop. Local Agricultural dealer Rickerby Ltd, who have many branches in the North when years ago was an International agent literally sold thousands of these balers in the 1970s and there are still many in use in the area.
The groups of bales from the accumulator were being picked up by a Ford 4600 with the optional ‘doors off’ air-conditioning and Tanco 968 loader (I believe these used to be manufactured in Ulverston, Cumbria) fitted with a Browns flat-8 grab. This system revolutionised bale handling when introduced in the mid-70s saving a lot of backache and baler twine cuts when stacking by hand.
Those with a sharp eye might spot the additive tank attached to the baler. The crop moisture is monitored in the tractor cab and should the content rise above a certain percentage it automatically adds some additive to the hay and likewise if it doesn’t require it it doesn’t.
The farm bales about 100 acres of small bale hay and wrapped haylage both for its own stock and to supply the equine sector so the final quality of the end product has to be spot on every time.
Scattering the hay for a final dry in the next field was another of the farms classic 3-cylinder Fords, a 4610AP working with a Krone 4-rotor tedder.
A really enjoyable afternoon in a lovely location filming some traditional haymaking that brought back memories of my childhood but with the sun beating down the kind offer of an ice lolly was very welcomed.
Filmed in Cumbria June 2024.
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