What size Kubota for round bales?

[houser52]

I'm currently using a 25+ year old Ford 4630, 55-60 hp, 2 wheel drive, gear transmission to move 5x5 round bales of hay. Someone else bales our hay so I'm not using it to run a mower or baler.

The tractor is used for transporting the bales from the field to the barn and stacked 2 high. It's also used for feeding the hay when needed and pasture bush hogging during the growing season. The Ford has done well since it was new but with it being a gear driven tractor you about have to completely stop to shift gears without scraping. It's also very slow when doing front loader work with lots of gear scraping.

I've been thinking about upgrading to a Kubota with HST that's big enough to safely handle the bales. I've read about the MX series and would like some opinions on that size tractor for the uses that I have described.

Thanks for any help.

 

[newbury]

I'm currently using a 25+ year old Ford 4630, 55-60 hp, 2 wheel drive, gear transmission to move 5x5 round bales of hay. Someone else bales our hay so I'm not using it to run a mower or baler.

The tractor is used for transporting the bales from the field to the barn and stacked 2 high. It's also used for feeding the hay when needed and pasture bush hogging during the growing season. The Ford has done well since it was new but with it being a gear driven tractor you about have to completely stop to shift gears without scraping. It's also very slow when doing front loader work with lots of gear scraping.

I've been thinking about upgrading to a Kubota with HST that's big enough to safely handle the bales. I've read about the MX series and would like some opinions on that size tractor for the uses that I have described.

Thanks for any help.

How heavy a bale?


I think if you are only worried about lifting 1,000 lbs all would do.

Stacking 2 high may be a stretch, are they on a spear or forks?

 

[houser52]

We've never weighed a bale but they're all dry fescue. The Ford has no trouble handling them with or without any ballast on the back but the Ford weighs 5000# +. I keep a 6' Bush Hog on the rear in the winter for ballast when feeding.

 

[Fallon]

My L3200 (L3301 or L3901 now) would lift "1,200lbs" big square bales, but it was sketchy as **** even with loaded tires & lots of ballast on the back. They wouldn't be safe or appropriate if you are planning on any big bales ar all.

My new L4060 with the medium loader barely lifts 1,900lbs (plus pallet forks) but is very stable doing it with loaded tires & moderate ballast. The slightly more HP Grands (same frame though) have a bigger front axle & can mount the bigger loader. They would likely be appropriate if your bales are going to be under 1,500lbs (or a bit more for the big loader ones).

I'm not familiar with the L4701, but it's likely to be borderline for handling big bales.

I'm pretty sure only the Ls have HST (HST+ on the grand Ls). I believe the MX & Ms are geared machines only. So they wouldn't be in the running if you were really looking for HST. I'm a huge HST fan personally, but some of the fear shuttle shift machines operate pretty well too.

 

[Wagtail]

From my experience (and advice from others) 40hp is the minimum for handling round bales of that size with appropriate counter-weight.

And, yes, that is for stacking 2 high (if you're rig is at the 40hp 'end' of the spectrum).

'Low and slow'

 

[Rustyiron]

I've been thinking about upgrading to a Kubota with HST that's big enough to safely handle the bales. I've read about the MX series and would like some opinions on that size tractor for the uses that I have described.

Thanks for any help.

Drive a M7040 size with the hydraulic shuttle. No clutching going from fwd/rev (and rev/fwd) ,more broadly known as a "left hand reverser" across all brands. I think you'll love it without the HP sacrifice you get with hyd drive, and allowing a larger frame tractor. The HST's stop a around 50 hp and imo that's a little shy for the job.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Just my opinion...
Get an M series...
Either a M7040 pr M7060...
Heavier, longer wheel base, higher capacities...
If you want hydrostat the MX is your only option in Kubota...
Around here for haying all you see is Deere and New Holland or Ford...

 

[Oldoak]

Just my opinion...
Get an M series...
Either a M7040 pr M7060...
Heavier, longer wheel base, higher capacities...
If you want hydrostat the MX is your only option in Kubota... ...

:thumbsup:

 

[smstonypoint]

Around here for haying all you see is Deere and New Holland or Ford...

I'm in Iredell County and I see Kubotas making inroads on my side of the river.

Steve

 

[houser52]

Thanks guys for the help.
According to the Kubota website the MX series is offered with HST from 49hp up to 61hp. All three weigh about the same at 3700 lbs more or less. The difference in HP comes from the turbo on the 2 more powerful models.

My L3600 has the glide shift trans with shuttle shift so I'm already familiar with that option.