The machine that ‘fluffs’ the cut hay is called a ‘Tedder’ or a ‘Hay Tedder.’ (They DO call it a ‘Fluffer’ in some parts and that is acceptable, too.)
And then you use a ‘Bar Rake’ behind the tractor to form it into ‘Windrows,’ (long even strips that the tractor hauling the baler can easily follow) and then you use the ‘Baler’ (round or square) to bale it after it dries for a day or so.
And usually it rains on you out of a clear blue sky, somewhere in the process, LOL!
You either stack it in a hay mow in the barn, or you bag it in plastic (which is another fascinating piece of equipment called a ‘Bale Wrapper’) and keep it along the edges of a field for later use.
And I only know all of this because I ask Beau a lot of questions about everything going on around the farm and since he’s been making hay for his Dad and two other farmers since he was strong enough to lift a bale, he always has the answer and ALWAYS corrects me when I use the wrong term for ANY piece of farm equipment. ;)
Thanks - nice to know the correct terminology! I won’t sound like a dummy when talking to the ‘locals’.
I saw a bale wrapper in operation (video) which was interesting. Lots of rows of plastic wrapped bales around here. Per one video, the bale moisture content should be no more than 20%. If the moisture is higher & you plastic wrap the bales, they ferment & become silage that cows can eat.
Since the tractor & tedder are on site, I suspect they will be in operation as soon as the dew dries. The neighbor probably lets a local farmer bale, just to keep the field somewhat under control. The hay is junky - primarily Johnson Grass, lots of weeds. It’s not something you would feed to horses.