Kubota size able to handle round bales

[TexasBoy]

Agreed, sorry.

 

[texasjohn]

Not necessarily. My rears have nothing in them and I move bales just fine with only a counterweight.

Technically, correct. I was pointing out that in my opinion a tractor of 50 hp and properly counterbalanced is needed to safely handle a 1500 lb bale. OP is familiar with 22 hp tractor. It takes a tractor in a completely different class to safely handle full size large round bales.

Agreed, more info from OP would assist in providing additional advice.

 

[wmonroe]

What is the terrain like where you will be moving the bales? My 5240 will easily handle 4x5's on flat ground but I won't lift them high enough on hilly/sloping/uneven ground to load the trailer, it's just not worth a roll over. Now my neighbors 100 hp McCormick will throw those same bales around in any conditions. Tractor size depends on more than just the use, terrain makes a huge difference.

 

[bigbull338]

no your tractor will not handle a round bale of any size.you need a min of 60hp to safely handle any size round bale.we moved 2000lb round bales with a 52hp hst fel 4x4 and that was to much.so it was traded for a 7040su 4x4 fel.

 

[texasjohn]

OP, The wisdom of TBN has spoken. FEL and round bales....50+ hp and proper handling will work for all but the very largest bales. Less than 50hp, get a hay buggy or possibly use a 3ph hay fork. C'mon back and let us know what you decide!

 

[DB Pilot]

My L3800 would not lift the round bales. :thumbdown: I think the bales were about 5' in diameter, I don't know the weight. I ended up ratchet strapping the bales to the bucket and skidding them to the front of the property to be picked up.

 

[sd455dan]

Agree with all above - and the idea of a MMM is unfortunately at odds with most 50+ HP tractors
-especially when moving to Utility or AG tractor instead of a CUT.

 

[wmonroe]

My L3800 would not lift the round bales. :thumbdown: I think the bales were about 5' in diameter, I don't know the weight. I ended up ratchet strapping the bales to the bucket and skidding them to the front of the property to be picked up.

Have you checked your relief pressure?

 

[gsganzer]

I did some more researching and agree that 50+ is needed to handle bales with a front spear. After looking around some more and considering what I need, I think a bale buggy or 3-point spear will work fine for our homestead barnyard critters. I'm still researching what size tractor I want to upgrade to. We're looking at some retirement property options in the near future that might include 100- 250 acres, so that might change our tractoring strategy.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

If your going to stay with a smaller, machine, I saw where Everything Attachments has a high lift bale spear. That might make things more feasible with a smaller machine. I have a standard bale spear that fits my L3400 and don't have any trouble moving our round bales around if needed, granted that's pretty rare since the spear on the quick attach for the JD makes things more user friendly. These bales are on the smaller side (4'x4') but i figured it was worth mentioning anyways.