Buying Advice lifting abilty in compacts- looking for a second smaller tractor

[WVfarmin]

What is the spacing of your poles in the barn? I am assuming 8'? I apologize if this has been identified earlier?

I would have to measure. our barn is real deep, so the posts make it like it has straight alleys, so you have to go straight in and straight out, and with the big tractor and the tires out all the way, you have to be super careful. if he angles the front even a little to get a bale that has moved off center, he needs to be ever so careful he doesn't rub a post getting back out with the hind tires. He real good at it now, but honestly, it shouldn't have to be that hard, and we have the cracked posts to prove it. I know when he bought the tractor that didn't even cross his mind at the time. ....my eyes popped out of my head when that got delivered cause I think he was looking at @35-45 hp tractors at the time. He's really happy with his beast, but we are limited on doing some more mundane things due to its size.

 

[Citydude]

I would have to measure. our barn is real deep, so the posts make it like it has straight alleys, so you have to go straight in and straight out, and with the big tractor and the tires out all the way, you have to be super careful. if he angles the front even a little to get a bale that has moved off center, he needs to be ever so careful he doesn't rub a post getting back out with the hind tires. He real good at it now, but honestly, it shouldn't have to be that hard, and we have the cracked posts to prove it. I know when he bought the tractor that didn't even cross his mind at the time. ....my eyes popped out of my head when that got delivered cause I think he was looking at @35-45 hp tractors at the time. He's really happy with his beast, but we are limited on doing some more mundane things due to its size.

I'm still trying to understand why you hay is stored in an alleyway with the size of your barn. Isn't there anyway to store it where its more accessible?

 

[WVfarmin]

I'm still trying to understand why you hay is stored in an alleyway with the size of your barn. Isn't there anyway to store it where its more accessible?

our barn is a three sided pole barn for just hay, it is 60 wide by like 48 deep, for the relatively flat sloping roof to support snow load, etc, there are many interior poles all running in rows so you just cant drive in and turn a circle or you'll smack one. For a smaller tractor its not that big a deal, just the behemoth. and it isn't all that bad till you are late in the season and have to go all the way in towards the back Where the roof is lower as well. We go through around 60 rounds a winter give or take. Our herd is down by several cows this winter so I'm hoping we will feed a bit less this winter.

 

[terryknight]

can you have him move them to the front where you would be more comfortable to get them?

 

[Citydude]

our barn is a three sided pole barn for just hay, it is 60 wide by like 48 deep, for the relatively flat sloping roof to support snow load, etc, there are many interior poles all running in rows so you just cant drive in and turn a circle or you'll smack one. For a smaller tractor its not that big a deal, just the behemoth. and it isn't all that bad till you are late in the season and have to go all the way in towards the back Where the roof is lower as well. We go through around 60 rounds a winter give or take. Our herd is down by several cows this winter so I'm hoping we will feed a bit less this winter.

Ok, that makes sense. Thanks!

 

[WVfarmin]

can you have him move them to the front where you would be more comfortable to get them?

yes, and hes gonna do that, right now he is working over 2 hours away 12 hours shifts for the next month ...I think we are still gonna get a smaller tractor anyway, cause if one breaks down we'd be sol for awhile so it makes sense. But in first gear I think I'm okay. I have to practice the whole bucket spear thing next. I haven't mentioned we do have a small Massey but it is too small to do our rounds with - we tried when we first got it years ago, it was comical to watch as we had to try once when the Mahindra had a issue. Hubby said never again, lol. We got it cheap and it had a backhoe which is all we use it for-so it sets taking up space 90% of the time- selling that will free up some cash to pay off a new slightly bigger one that is more nimble but also more useful for other duties.

 

[aczlan]

Used forklift in the barn. Big tractor in the field.

Bruce

A $2000 used forklift would work great in a barn like she is describing, would just need to have someone make up a bale spear adapter for it.

yes, and hes gonna do that, right now he is working over 2 hours away 12 hours shifts for the next month ...I think we are still gonna get a smaller tractor anyway, cause if one breaks down we'd be sol for awhile so it makes sense. But in first gear I think I'm okay. I have to practice the whole bucket spear thing next. I haven't mentioned we do have a small Massey but it is too small to do our rounds with - we tried when we first got it years ago, it was comical to watch as we had to try once when the Mahindra had a issue. Hubby said never again, lol. We got it cheap and it had a backhoe which is all we use it for-so it sets taking up space 90% of the time- selling that will free up some cash to pay off a new slightly bigger one that is more nimble but also more useful for other duties.

Have you thought about putting a 3 point bale spear on the back of your Massey? That may let you move the bales around and as long as they are not stacked, you should be fine to move them around.

Aaron Z

 

[woolyAcres]

Have you thought about putting a 3 point bale spear on the back of your Massey? That may let you move the bales around and as long as they are not stacked, you should be fine to move them around.
Aaron Z

Is moving them on the FEL a requirement? What about moving them with the 3PT hitch on either the Mahindra you have or a smaller new-to-you machine. It sounds like you normally pull into the barn to spear a bale with the loader then have to back out of the barn with a bale on the front. If you were able to back into the barn with no bale and drive out in a forward direction with a bale perhaps navigating through all the poles would be easier? If the Mahindra is still too large/imposing perhaps the same could be done with a smaller machine. Or use the smaller machine to unstack and move them toward the front of the barn (where all this work would be on the flat) then spear them on the rear to deliver them down the hill.

I sometimes do this with our 4x4 wet bales. I have to get off the tractor to actually put them in the feeder since I can't simply dump it over the top. I have to tip our feeder up, set the bale and tip it back down, but it allows me to do it with my small tractor that has no loader.

I understand they may need to be unstacked in the barn in which case this may not be feasible. Just a thought.

 

[4570Man]

Can you reinforce the beam and cut out half the post?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I think if possible that a few pictures of the barn and surrounding area would help everyone concerned understand the situation much better.

 

[WVfarmin]

Hey I haven't updated this thread so I wanted to, and to thank everyone for their input. While I have nothing bad to say about the mahindra we looked at, we are going with the rural king hs 37 with a loader and cab. The deciding factor was that it could take the same sized backhoe as we have with our much smaller Massey, and unlike the Massey it isn't a beast to switch out. We are going to sell our smaller Massey to help offset costs, and when we do we will get the backhoe to go with it. The smaller mahindra while it can put out rounds just fine, can only take a smaller backhoe, and money wise, you just get much more tractor for the money with RK. I know they are new, but the dealer is only a hour away and I can only say very kind things about them to this point. They have answered all my questions and I feel very confident they will stand behind what they sell. Now I can't speak for all rural kings, but the Parkersburg store I have dealt with have been great and Nathan esp has worked with us and been very honest. He also hasn't pushed us to get any certain tractor, but really wants us to get what is appropriate for our situation. He clearly explained the benefits and limitations of hs and shuttle shift, which was great. I'll post how the tractor works out in the rural king forum after we pick up our tractor. And yes we will have pictures Having two tractors able to put out rounds gives me peace of mind .Cause as you know, if you have a plan b you never need it, if you don't, and something happens, and it will...you are well, you know.. and hopefully if nothing happens , I can just use my little one and stay dry and warm in the winter feedings and in the summer I can help now the flats and the bunny slopes. Lol.

 

[Tractorable]

The RK’s have Japanese Yanmar diesels which are some of the best small diesels in the world. The eight year power train warranty is nice too. Congrats on your choice of tractor!

 

[bookmyer]

A skid steer is a wonderful machine. I have both skid steer and tractors and I can do most things twice as fast with the skid steer. You can get them in some tight spots but I agree they can tear the ground up.

 

[woolyAcres]

Congrats. I can say that having more than one reliable tractor that can feed round bales in the winter really eases one's mind.

 

[TheMan419]

I was going to weigh in with the thought of the cab tractor. AC and Heat are nice. I wish I was at the point I could do that. However the biggest thing is having the right weight requirements met.

We have a space that we run our tractor where there are inches of clearance. I don't like it, but it is what it is. The wife will not run the tractor there. We have HST so no gear issues.... just her comfort level. Other than that one spot we laid out the place for easy in easy out of the tractor and other larger vehicles.

Sounds like you made a good purchase.

 

[showcattle]

I'd just learn to run the bigger Mahindra. I'd rather have too much tractor than not quite enough when it comes to handling round bales. Things can get ugly and increase your pucker factor in the winter with round bales and snow and mud. Heavier tractors are your friend.