Small round rollers operable with only 35 pto hp?

[jwcinpk]

There seems to be a notion out there that the small 4ft round rollers are actually operable and safe with a small tractor that only has 35 pto hp. Is this so? I want to buy a tractor that I will be able to run one of these small rollers with in the future, so I don't want to go too small. If you have one of these please share your experience with it.

 

[cowboydoc]

What small rollers are you talking about? Round hay balers?

 

[Phred]

I run a 4x5 baler with a 70 hp gross, ~57 pto hp. A 4x4 will be slightly lighter but not that much.

While I think its perhaps possible and if the ground was completely flat, ...

Two possible problems you may find:
1) A baler when full is very heavy, and puts a lot of tongue weight on your tractor. To give you an idea, empty a 4x5 is to much for my SUV that is rated to 5000 lbs tow weight. Sure it will pull it if you don't mind the baler tongue dragging the ground and the truck headlights aiming at the moon.
The result could be a real problem stopping for a small tactor.

2) A full baler will shake even a heavy tractor around a bit. Even a relatively big tractor, so what about a little compact? I think you would reduce the life of the small compact.
You will be working that compact at its limit.

Fred

 

[rambler]

I thought the limit was 45 hp?

Aweful light tractor, even if you would have the hp, do you have the weight to control it? Lots of hitch weight, a spinning bale will cause a lot of flailing about when they load up off-center at times.

What does that do to the life of your tractor? How will you move the bales with the light tractor?

If you wanted to make 10 bales one time, try it with a loaner baler. If you plan to roll 100 a year, I would be real concerned about the life of your tractor.

What class of tractor are you looking into anyhow? I assume you are looking at compacts, which don't have the heart & sole of a real farm tractor.But for example, some of the Kubota's don't have all the fancy plastic, but have a good heavy frame & a tough driveline to keep up with tough work & are heavier to handle big loads. This can make a difference on our advise.

Just my opinion, I make 5x6 round bales with a 85 hp tractor with all 4 tires loaded. It can move me around, and makes that tractor work.

--->Paul

 

[slowrev]

Re: Small round rollers operable with only 35 pto

The biggest problem rolling hay with CUT's is the lack of size/weight. My friend rolls/moves 1,200 LB + rolls with his 38 HP PTO , 3900 LB IH 444. Works fine but don't think I would want to use anything smaller.

 

[mikell]

Re: Small round rollers operable with only 35 pto

You can get smaller bailers> We use 4 x 5 bales ,2 people can roll them around and my little Ford 1210 has no problem moving them with the 3 point. I've moved the bailer with my 1210 but never tried to run it.

mikell

 

[HayDR]

We have many customers using MF231s, JD2040 & 3000 Fords with the 5x4 Vermeer G,H,I & Rebel balers.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> There seems to be a notion out there that the small 4ft round rollers are actually operable and safe with a small tractor that only has 35 pto hp. Is this so? </font>
Hi Joel and welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This topic comes up every now and then and ranks right up there with what's the best tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif In other words, there are people who think it's OK to use a compact tractor to run a round baler and there are those that do not, primarily (exclusively?) because of safety reasons. In fact, the responses you have received thus far are already coming from these 2 camps.

The best (yes, I said best /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif ) advice is to get your farm implement dealer to demonstrate, or better yet, let you try out;

1. The tractors(s) you are interested in
2. Running the baler you are interested in

Baling hay on your property.

Then you can be the judge of what is operable and safe in your specific situation.

What camp do I fall into? If someone wants to bale hay, then they should buy a utility and not a compact tractor.

 

[HayDR]

I agree it is best to have a utility tractor with 45 HP but skilled operators can get by with less HP.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue">but skilled operators can get by with less HP. </font>
My concern is not the hp of the tractor, it's the weight of the tractor.