Agricultural Equipment Financing

Finance Hay & Forage Equipment

Axiant Partners finances hay equipment — round balers, large square balers, windrowers, mower-conditioners, rakes, and tedders. New Holland, John Deere, Kuhn, Krone, AGCO Hesston.

  • Round and large square balers
  • Self-propelled windrowers
  • Mower-conditioners, rakes, tedders
  • Bundle with tractor for best terms
  • Decision in 24–48 hours

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Hay Equipment Financing — Round Balers, Square Balers, Windrowers & More

Complete hay and forage equipment financing guide. Round balers ($25K–$80K), large square balers ($80K–$180K), self-propelled windrowers ($120K–$250K), and all associated implements. New Holland, John Deere, Kuhn, Krone, AGCO Hesston.

Quick Answer: Hay and forage equipment spans a wide price range: round balers ($25,000–$80,000), large square balers ($80,000–$180,000), mower-conditioners ($15,000–$65,000), hay rakes ($8,000–$35,000), tedders ($8,000–$25,000), bale wrappers ($15,000–$40,000), and self-propelled windrowers ($120,000–$250,000). Major brands include New Holland (H series), John Deere, Kuhn, Krone, AGCO Hesston, and CLAAS Rollant. OEM programs (CNH Industrial Capital, John Deere Financial) are the easiest path; bundling with a tractor purchase typically improves terms.

Key Facts: Hay Equipment Financing

  • Round Balers: $25,000–$80,000 | Most widely financed hay implement
  • Large Square Balers: $80,000–$180,000 | Commercial hay operations
  • Self-Propelled Windrowers: $120,000–$250,000 | High-capacity hay cutting
  • Mower-Conditioners: $15,000–$65,000 | Pull-type and mounted
  • Major Brands: New Holland, John Deere, Kuhn, Krone, AGCO Hesston, CLAAS Rollant
  • Best Financing: Bundle with tractor for OEM program best terms
  • Small Implements: Use OEM dealer promos or fintech for implements under $25K

About Hay Equipment Financing

Hay and forage equipment represents the third-largest category of farm equipment financing (behind tractors and combines), driven by the approximately 52 million acres of hay harvested annually in the US. Hay equipment is used across a wide range of operations — from small livestock farms cutting 50 acres annually to custom hay operators putting up tens of thousands of bales per season.

For financing, hay equipment generally falls into two broad categories: implements (mower-conditioners, rakes, tedders, bale wrappers) that are usually financed as standard equipment, and larger self-powered machines (self-propelled windrowers, round balers, large square balers) that are treated as major equipment investments with more formal underwriting. The largest hay equipment investments — $100,000+ large square balers and $200,000+ self-propelled windrowers — are comparable in price to utility tractors and are underwritten accordingly.

New Holland has historically had one of the most comprehensive hay and forage equipment lineups, which is why New Holland dealers often have the deepest experience helping customers finance complete hay equipment packages. See our New Holland Equipment Financing guide for the full H series lineup.

Round Baler Financing — Brand and Price Comparison

Brand / ModelBale SizeTypeNew PriceUsed (3–5 yr)
New Holland RB450 Ultrafeed4x5 ftFixed chamber$25,000–$35,000$10,000–$18,000
New Holland RB560 Ultrafeed5x6 ftFixed chamber$32,000–$44,000$14,000–$23,000
New Holland Roll-Belt 4604x6 ftVariable chamber$38,000–$52,000$17,000–$27,000
John Deere 460M4x6 ftFixed/variable$35,000–$48,000$15,000–$25,000
Kuhn RB5100 Optifeed5x6 ftVariable chamber$38,000–$54,000$16,000–$28,000
Krone Comprima V 1504x5 ft / 5x6 ftVariable chamber$40,000–$58,000$18,000–$30,000
AGCO Hesston RB4160P4x6 ftVariable chamber$42,000–$60,000$18,000–$31,000
CLAAS Rollant 455 RC5x6 ftVariable chamber$45,000–$65,000$20,000–$34,000
John Deere 560R5x6 ftVariable belt$50,000–$70,000$22,000–$36,000
New Holland BigBaler 1290Round-up premiumPremium variable$60,000–$80,000$26,000–$42,000

Large Square Baler Financing — Brand and Price Comparison

Brand / ModelBale SizeNew PriceUsed (3–5 yr)Notes
New Holland BB90603x3 ft$80,000–$105,000$35,000–$54,000Entry large square
AGCO Hesston 2956A3x3 ft$85,000–$112,000$37,000–$58,000Hesston heritage brand
Krone BiG Pack 1290 HDP3x3 ft$90,000–$125,000$39,000–$65,000High-density German design
Kuhn LSB 1290 iD3x3 ft$88,000–$122,000$38,000–$63,000iD density sensor
New Holland BigBaler 1270P4x3 ft$110,000–$145,000$48,000–$75,0004x3 jumbo bale
John Deere L3413x3 ft$95,000–$130,000$41,000–$68,000Intellibale density control
Krone BiG Pack 1290 XC3x3 ft$140,000–$180,000$61,000–$94,000Flagship — cross conveyor

Hay Implements — Mower-Conditioners, Rakes, Tedders, Bale Wrappers

Equipment TypeWidth / CapacityNew Price RangeNotes
Disc mower-conditioner (mounted)8–12 ft$15,000–$32,0003-pt hitch, tractor mounted
Disc mower-conditioner (pull-type)12–18 ft$28,000–$65,000Wider cut, faster operation
Self-propelled windrower14–35 ft$120,000–$250,000New Holland H8080, JD W series
Rotary rake (single)8–14 ft$8,000–$18,000Kuhn GA, New Holland H7460
Rotary rake (twin)18–30 ft$18,000–$35,000Higher output, tandem design
Tedder (4–6 rotor)14–24 ft$8,000–$16,000Kuhn TF, New Holland tedders
Tedder (8–10 rotor)28–40 ft$16,000–$25,000High-capacity fold design
Round bale wrapperN/A$15,000–$40,000Net or film wrap, inline or individual

Hay Equipment Brand Comparison — Financing Perspective

BrandParentLender FamiliarityOEM FinancingBest For
New HollandCNH IndustrialExcellentCNH Industrial CapitalComplete hay system, NH dealers
John DeereDeere & CoExcellentJohn Deere FinancialJD tractor owners, round balers
KuhnKuhn Group (France)Very goodKuhn dealer financingImplements, mid-size operations
KroneKrone GmbH (Germany)GoodKrone dealer financingLarge square balers, forage
AGCO HesstonAGCO CorporationGoodAGCO FinanceAGCO tractor owners
CLAAS RollantCLAASModerateCLAAS Financial ServicesCLAAS dealers only

Hay Equipment Financing Options

Financing TypeProviderBest ForTypical Terms
OEM Loan (bundled with tractor)CNH Industrial Capital or JD FinancialBest overall — single application36–72 months, potential 0% promos
OEM Standalone Implement LoanCNH Industrial Capital or JD FinancialImplements only36–60 months
Farm Credit LoanFarm Credit institutionsLarge square balers, windrowers60–72 months, competitive rates
AgDirectFarm Credit Services of AmericaFast online application48–72 months
Independent LenderENGS, Beacon Capital, CrestRound balers, used equipment36–60 months
Fintech (under $25K)Clicklease, Balboa CapitalSmall implements, startups24–48 months, higher rate

Ready to Finance Hay Equipment?

Get matched with lenders for round balers, large square balers, self-propelled windrowers, and all hay implements — New Holland, John Deere, Kuhn, Krone, and AGCO Hesston.

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Related Agricultural Equipment Financing Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Hay Equipment Financing

What are the major hay equipment brands and which are easiest to finance?

Major hay equipment brands in the US include New Holland (H series — one of the most comprehensive lineups), John Deere (C and W series balers, R series rakes), Kuhn (French brand, widely distributed in US), Krone (German brand, strong in large square balers), AGCO Hesston (AGCO brand, hay/forage specialist), and CLAAS Rollant (combine manufacturer's baler line). New Holland and John Deere are the easiest to finance due to highest lender familiarity and deepest used equipment markets. Kuhn and Krone have strong independent lender support. CLAAS equipment may require a slightly larger down payment from independent lenders due to smaller US market share.

How much does a round baler cost and what are typical financing terms?

New round balers range from $25,000 (small fixed-chamber baler for hobby operations) to $80,000+ (premium variable-chamber models with bale wrapping integration). The most popular mid-range round balers (New Holland Roll-Belt 460, John Deere 460M, Kuhn RB5100) run $35,000–$55,000 new. Typical financing terms: 36–60 months for round balers, 10–20% down for independent lenders, 0–10% down through OEM programs (CNH Industrial Capital, John Deere Financial). Used round balers (3–7 years old) run $12,000–$35,000 and are financed with 15–20% down through most lenders.

What is the financing difference between a round baler and a large square baler?

Large square balers ($80,000–$180,000) are considered mid-to-large ticket items and are financed similarly to small tractors. They require good credit and typically 10–20% down through independent lenders or 0–10% through OEM programs. Round balers ($25,000–$80,000) are easier to finance because the lower price points are accessible to more lenders including fintech and smaller independent lenders. The key difference: large square balers are used primarily for commercial hay operations selling baled forage, while round balers are used across a wider range of operations — which gives round balers broader secondary market appeal and thus lower lender risk.

Can I finance a self-propelled windrower?

Yes — self-propelled windrowers (also called swathers, $120,000–$250,000 new) are financed as standard equipment. New Holland SP windrowers (H8080 series), John Deere W series, AGCO Hesston SP windrowers, and MacDon FD series are all commonly financed. OEM programs (CNH Industrial Capital for New Holland, John Deere Financial) are the most straightforward option. Farm Credit and AgDirect also finance windrowers with competitive rates. Used SP windrowers (3–7 years old, $40,000–$120,000) are commonly available and financed with 15–20% down through independent lenders.

Can I finance hay rakes, tedders, and mower-conditioners?

Yes, though lower-cost implements ($8,000–$35,000 for rakes and tedders) may require fintech lenders for low-down options. Most traditional equipment lenders have minimum loan amounts of $15,000–$25,000. For hay implements below $25,000, options include: OEM dealer financing through New Holland or John Deere (often with $0 down promotional programs), AgriCredit (Farm Credit's small equipment program), Clicklease or Balboa Capital (fintech lenders, higher rates but low documentation), or purchasing with a short-term equipment line of credit from your operating bank.

Should I finance hay equipment separately or bundle with a tractor purchase?

Bundling hay equipment with a tractor purchase on a single application is often the most efficient approach. When you finance a New Holland T6 tractor and New Holland H series hay equipment together through CNH Industrial Capital, you benefit from: one application and credit pull, potentially better terms on the combined package vs. separate applications, and sometimes lower overall rate on the implement when bundled with a larger tractor loan. The same logic applies to John Deere — financing a 6M tractor and C560R round baler together through John Deere Financial is typically simpler than two separate applications.