I'm considering springing for a pioneer wagon gear. We're trying to make hay this year thanks to having gotten into the Dris Kool-aid. Considering a 3-ton wagon gear. Does anyone have one? Which bells and whistles do you like?

I don't figure I'm gonna load a lot of hay at once what with hills, etc. Just a decent flat-bed utility wagon with mechanical brakes. I'll probably build my own bed for it.

Make your flatbed 16 feet long and 8 feet wide for hay then you don't have to pile it so high to have your load.

Hydraulic brakes at least on the rear.

What is the weight difference in a 3 ton and the next larger size (6ton)? I have a JD 953 gear and 8 by 16 oak (1.5" thick) flat bed that weighs around 1,800 pounds empty (with a hoist). The flat bed is on 4 by 8 ash stringers. At 40 lb per cu ft, estimated weight of flatbed alone is about 850 pounds (15 cu ft of oak and about 8 of ash.)

My point is that a 3 ton gear would limit other uses, and a 6 ton gear may not weigh that much more and would be capable of larger weight when not using the horses.

Find an older gear and fix it up.

Neal

I have two of them on the ranch. Both have hydraulic brakes. They're good wagons.
I do wish I had a 6 or 8 ton at times though.
3 ton is a big load for just one team on soft ground.

Amish friends sound happy with the mechanical brakes but there sounds like a preference here for hydraulic.

Really appreciate the ideas. I like the fix-'er-up idea but think that time vs. money idea might be falling toward buying new.

Don't see many hay wagons used with brakes.

You can buy any old auto steer wagon gear pretty reasonable, just check their condition first. I have 3 we use behind the baler for hay. Bought an 8' wide, 19' long one, only had to add the rear rack, $150.

Depends on what you want it to do; if your just hauling behind baler go with used and refurbish. However, if you are looking for something past the hay field and might consider some agritourism venture to pay for the "Kool-Aide" then go new with brakes etc.

We're in the process of rebuilding a ride wagon on an older 6 ton Pioneer gear. Got a rebuild brake kit which we just finished installing. Should be road ready in a couple more days. Mechanical brakes have always worked OK for us.