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

[atsah]

It wasn’t proportional to the pedal travel. It was at nearly full rpm at 1/4 of the pedal travel used. And it reved to like 2700 rpm regardless of work load. I much preferred to set the rpms around 2000 unless more or less power was needed and adjust as needed. Overall I liked my Grand series tractor a lot better than the standard series.

I see, the little Massey 1526 I tried was proportional to pedal travel so I figured all of them would be the same but I guess not.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

The Mahindra 1526 HST or now the 1626 HST is a great little tractor. Has over a 1500lb loader lift capacity at pins. It should handle your 900lb bales with ease.:thumbsup:

Probably a little over $20K though.

 

[4570Man]

I see, the little Massey 1526 I tried was proportional to pedal travel so I figured all of them would be the same but I guess not.

Mine was like a 2008 model. Maybe they’ve changed since then.

 

[newbury]

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

Bruce

Yup, appropriate tool for the job. Or store the bales outside.

How far do you have to carry bales? Just in the barn? Near the barn? A long ways from the barn?

 

[majorwager]

Just learn to run the big tractor. Put some seat time in. You値l get it. If it痴 beyond you, you値l know after a couple days.

Agree w/ this post. Put a few bales outside and throw a tarp over them until you acquire a feel for the tractor. Post a few photos of hay and tractor storage areas ? Let the TBN experts view working conditions. ????
If finances are no object, hire someone qualified to use your tractor to feed the livestock.

 

[sd455dan]

Would like to agree with just getting comfortable with the large tractor,
But can't...

If the operator with tractor experience had trouble navigating in the barn without damaging the building, It will be even harder for a really new operator when the amount of room to maneuver is limited.
I really like my 8000+lb as set up tractor for everything including moving large square bales into the barn, but once inside it is another story.

Have to agree with the folks suggesting a heavy built but small footprint hydrostat tractor with stout FEL specs.

A forklift may make sense IF the floor is concrete and not in an area where freezing and ice are a possibility. It will also not be much use for other common in barn jobs like stall cleaning if that is going to be part of it's duties.

ps. when we had multiple properties we had to mow, it was really nice having 2 tractors going, and was fun knocking the job out as a team with the wife running one of the tractors.

 

[4570Man]

Would like to agree with just getting comfortable with the large tractor,
But can't...

If the operator with tractor experience had trouble navigating in the barn without damaging the building, It will be even harder for a really new operator when the amount of room to maneuver is limited.
I really like my 8000+lb as set up tractor for everything including moving large square bales into the barn, but once inside it is another story.

Have to agree with the folks suggesting a heavy built but small footprint hydrostat tractor with stout FEL specs.

A forklift may make sense IF the floor is concrete and not in an area where freezing and ice are a possibility. It will also not be much use for other common in barn jobs like stall cleaning if that is going to be part of it's duties.

ps. when we had multiple properties we had to mow, it was really nice having 2 tractors going, and was fun knocking the job out as a team with the wife running one of the tractors.

Or a medium sized skid steer. They’ll blow the doors off a tractor for cleaning a barn or stacking hay. They probably won’t do good for delivery in a wet field but use the bigger tractor for that.

 

[atsah]

Never thought of the ease and maneuverability of a skid steer for that job, that’s a good idea..

 

[4570Man]

I’ve got a big skid steer and my buddy has a smaller one. His is about 7000 pounds and would handle round bales with ease. When comparing skid steers to tractor keep in mind that rated operating capacity of a SS and full height lift at the pins on the tractor isn’t the same measurement. Tipping load of a SS and breakout force on a tractor will be pretty close to the same measurement.

 

[sd455dan]

Skid steer will get into tight places for sure, I had a New Holland L778 wheeled skid steer and sold it.

Noisy, hard to see behind- and rough riding. It had no problem moving and stacking good sized rounds or pallets in a tight space. I just prefer a tractor.

Sister has a Bobcat Tracked T-250 Smooth Quiet - much nicer to run, a real step up for sure.

The Skid steers tend to rut things up after making turns to.

Some people Absolutely Love them

Something that a person really needs to operate and compare to a tractor to decide for themselves.