how big for round bales

[jimmyj]

Hi all. Long time lurker, this is my first post.

I am trying to decide which tractor (with FEL) to get, I'm going to buy in March. My uses are moving manure, moving snow (long drive) and moving 4x5 round bales (weight up to about 700lbs, sometimes more, sometimes less - I use 2 each week).

I'm very close to two reputable Kubota dealers but I'm getting confused by all of the model numbers and some conflicting advice on what is big enough. There also are Kioti, New Holland and Massey dealers close to me. My biggest fear is buying a tractor that is too small to be safe when moving a bale (have some moderate slopes to cross).

I don't mind buying new or used, but I think my budget will keep me in the used market as I want to keep the cost below $15k.

Are the L series tractors large enough to be safe for bales? Is there anyone who could explain to me how to decipher what all of the L series model number mean? There are so very many!!!

Anyhow, always enjoy reading posts on this site and thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.

 

[Patternmkr]

I have a Kubota L3130 that I use for utility work around the farm. I can move 2 4x5 bales at a time, One on the back, one on the front. Have to load the back first for ballast

 

[DLMaine01]

I consider the small M series minimum for this task although "it all depends".
I have a M4900(LA1002 loader) and move both 700#+ round bales and 1200# wrapped haylage bales. I feel safe with this tractor even in mud, snow, ice, and all the hills and dips I seem to find. The rear tires are loaded and I usally have a 500 lb. logging winch on the 3pt. for a counter weight(not really required for the dry hay). I have unloaded hay from a large straight truck stacked 2 high with no problem. I know that lots of people do it with less but the safety factor should be considered. I know some people who think you need a much larger tractor to do these operation safely.
Good Luck
Dave

 

[MFL]

Jimmy,

First welcome to TBN. Hope you find as much good info here as most others do.

I know I'll get some flak on this, but I've been moving 4x5's with my B series for years now. A few things. I don't travel very far. From storage to feeding area is maybe 300 feet. I also don't have slopes to cross or rough terrain to deal with. That said the B7800 can handle the weight and the size without a problem. I wouldn't put that much weight on the FEL, but on the 3pt. hitch it's not an issue. Also, if I was buying today and I knew I'd be handling rounds, I definitely buy bigger. L3400 at least.

I'm proof though, that anything bigger than my B7800 will carry a 4x5 with no problems. If you're looking to carry on the FEL though, I'd look at the L4400 or the mid-range Grand L series.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

 

[DLMaine01]

Yes a round bale on the fel does take a bit more tractor. But it amazing what you can do with ANY size Kubota!!!!
Kubota's MTach pin on bale spear is a very strong unit.

 

[canoetrpr]

I've been moving 5x6s no problem with my L3400 on the 3PT. Mahana, another user with a L3400 posted photos of his L3400 with a bale on the front and the back.

Now I move maybe 2 rounds per week. If I was moving a lot of bales I would get a much bigger tractor but for my use the L3400 can handle anything I have thrown at it, including the rounds.

 

[MFL]

Nice setup Dave! That is definitely a substantial looking rig. Never having been in the market for anything as large as the M series, I'm curious. Could JimmyJ reasonably expect to find a rig like yours, used, in the 15K range? I was thinking used L series only because of the price point he mentioned. As we all know, if you can afford it, GO LARGE!

 

[DLMaine01]

MFL,
Jimmyj does not say what part of the country he is from but he could get a 2wd M4700 or M4800 w/fel for that. He says moving snow so probably MFWD is required and you may be a little over 15K for that. He does want to know how to SAFELY move round bales and to me that means size,weight and hp.
Check Tractorhouse.com or equipmentlocator.com for prices. I even saw some M4800 and M4900 new (call for price) with 0% finacing. These are older models so you might get a deal.
If you are in the east call Barlow Farm Equipment, great dealer, great people great customer support and service.
Dave

 

[texasjohn]

I regularly put out 2 bales at a time with my rig (see below). I find that hay bales vary significantly depending on what they are made of and moisture content. I consider a 6 foot round bale to be about 1500 lbs ... typically they are less...

I have a bale spike on the front, a hay fork on the rear.

Very, very important to load rear bale first, then spike the front bale.

Very very important to have loaded tires and extra weight on rear fork... because, inevitably, there will be times when you want must lift with no bale on the rear... and then the whole rig gets nose tippy...

Beware of lifting FEL bale high and swinging hard left or right at ANY notable speed at all.... you can easily lift rear tire off ground because of the rotational forces on entire tractor...

You will LOVE being able to raise a bale with the FEL over the edge of a round bale feeder and drop it in. No more rolling the bale feeder over the hay bale..... but..as noted above, this REQUIRES attention to proper weighting, very slow operation, lifting no higher than required, no chug holes to fall into.

My net after several years experience... I wouldn't want anything less than a 50ish HP tractor for the task of carrying my kind of hay bales.

My L5030 is exactly right for the job... I feel very safe using it for the task, but recognize that my skill is REQUIRED to remain safe... proper height, speed, weighting as indicated. I can tell that a much larger tractor would provide me a wide margin for error... and that a smaller one would become very dicy very fast.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I move 4x5 round bales of Alfalfa (guess 800-900lbs) with a 50hp utility frame tractor. I find that I can move bales safely and easily with this size tractor. I'm sure it can be done with smaller, but bigger will provide safety and easy. If you want Kubota an M model would be ideal. In the L series I would say the L4400 or the L39xx and up would be big enough.

I would not hesitate to look used, but would look at all major brands if you do, not just Kubota. If you do look used I would look at both CUT size and utility frame tractors.