1 Ton Bales: unloading 18 wheeler

[Rara Avis]

Thanks for the replies.

I started looking at the New Holland tn-60 & tn-70, but I'm still not set on New Holland, just that it seems to be the most for the cost. The other thing is that I only have a 7000# trailer, so going any bigger will also require me to get a heavy duty trailer.
I just wanted to know what size of tractor COULD do the job. I just didn't want to get a 40-50 hp and not be able to unload. If I actually had to get a trailer of hay, I would then be able to unload it with out having to hire someone to do it.

ScoutDork

Try this...
Ag Krane

This is for compact tractors...
EXB060

 

[flusher]

'm looking at getting a tractor for multiply uses. Used or New.
I would like to be able to unload either 3'x3'x8' or maybe 4'x4'x8' bales from 18 wheeler.

A old tractors with less power might be able to do what I want. So far I've looked at 30-60 HP but don't know if a subcompact 30 hp would work or if I would have to get a higher Hp model to get the load capacity/height.

Kind of what information I'm looking for, is real world experience. I would really like to get the smallest tractor to do the job, but like all things, get the biggest and you won't complain later.

thanks.

Scout Dork

Don't know how many bales/year you're considering, but if I had this problem I'd contact someone with a hay squeeze and pay him to unload your order.

My neighbor trains horses and has hay delivered twice a year (small square bales delivered on a double bottom hay truck). The guy with the Oregon Road Runner follows the hay truck and unloads in less than 30 minutes.

 

[N80]

That is an accurate lift capacity.

Nothing you hook on the end of loader arms can increase the lift capacity of the loader.

The lift capacity at the pivot pin on my L4400 (which is similar to the JD 900 but has better loader specs) is 1800 pounds. There is nothing you can add past the pivot pins that will increase this load rating, especially by 1000 pounds!

(I'm not saying your brand loader won't handle that much, I'm saying that nothing you add to the JD loader on the 990 will handle that much....safely.)

 

[chh]

Personally I would go for as large a tractor as I had use for. Preferably with front wheel assist, unless you will be unloading on a very flat smooth lot. I load/unload round bales on gooseneck trailers on a regular basis. Started out years ago trying to use a Ford 4600 and loader(52 hp I think) ballasted rear tires and a bale on the back. It could get unstable very easily on rough ground and I broke down the front end 3 times. A MF 4243 followed that and did much better. A MF 481 with front wheel assist (and a shuttle tranny) was a big improvement on mobility in the feild. Plus if you didn't have a bale handy to ballast the rear you could lift the first one off the trailer, then use it for the rest of the load. Currently using a MF 596 with a cab and FWA. I can tell the difference with the added weight of this tractor. Much more stable when loading on the feild.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Nothing you hook on the end of loader arms can increase the lift capacity of the loader.

The lift capacity at the pivot pin on my L4400 (which is similar to the JD 900 but has better loader specs) is 1800 pounds. There is nothing you can add past the pivot pins that will increase this load rating, especially by 1000 pounds!

(I'm not saying your brand loader won't handle that much, I'm saying that nothing you add to the JD loader on the 990 will handle that much....safely.)

He never said (unless I missed something) that the JD loader would lift that much weight, his loader can lift that much and they do have a great reputation with loaders on farm tractors. If you see how abused some of the tractors are that have Westendorf loaders and you will wonder how the loader has held up so well with that much abuse. I know a lot of farmers put Westendorf loaders on Ford 7710's and the loader looks a lot better then the tractor does after 20 years.

Also, if you look at the stats for the two loaders he showed for the 990, the loader that sticks out further raises up much higher but has a lower rating then the other loader. The other loader lifts more weight but is closer to the tractor and doesn't lift as high. The last thing any loader company wants to do is put a loader on a tractor that will break the tractor or injure or worst kill someone.

 

[wallace]

Kioti DK65 (65hp) w/KL1730 loader
Low profile design maximizes operator's visibility.
Fits four-wheel-drive tractors.
Entire loader except mounting is quick-detached from tractor.
A built-in parking stand on the front end loader provides quick and easy connection.
Mid mount style frame for engine accessibility.
Bucket level indicator is standard.
Color compliments tractor.
Mechanical self leveling.


MODEL KL1730

Ballast Box attached to 3-point
A - Maximum Lift Height 134.65"
B - Clearance with Attachment Level 125.79"
C - Clearance with Attachment Dumped 104.13"
D - Reach at Maximum Height 33.96"
E - Maximum Dump Angle 59ｰ
F - Reach with Attachment on Ground 78.74"
G - Attachment Rollback Angle 30ｰ
H - Digging Depth Below Grade 5.51"
J - Overall Height in Carry Position 69.69"
L - Depth of Attachment (to back of inner shell) 22.99"
M - Height of Attachment 25.91"
N - Depth of Attachment (to pivot pin) 29.53"
U- Lift Capacity to Full Height @ Pivot Pins 3,500 lbs
Y- Breakout Force @ Pivot Pin 5,400 lbs
Relief Valve Setting (Loader Control Valve) 2,682 psi
Rated Flow (Tractor System) 18GPM
Approximate Weight /bucket 1,850 lbs
Lift Cylinders 3.00"x20.00"
Bucket Cylinder 2.50"x7.87"
Attachment used for Specification 84" Series 20 Bucket
Cycle Times 2,500(Full)
Raise Boom 7.5
Lower Boom 5.8
Dump Bucket 3.7
Retract Bucket 3

KL1730 84" bucket


This is where I would be putting my money.

 

[john_bud]

Just because the Lift capacity is 3000#, it doesn't mean you are going to max it out daily. But if you need it for a specific task, the power is there. If you were going to unload that semi daily you'd want a larger tractor.
You may perceive that a tight tucked loader is not "in vogue" because more and more of the OEM's try to use the same loader on as many model tractors as possible instead of having to stock multiple loaders. They are not focusing on the "fit". You can see in the JD photo how they tilted the 300x forward on the tractor to make it touch the ground. This will transfer more weight to the front axle. You'll acheive more power and strength if the tower/upright is straight and positioned as far back as possible (like JD 430 or TA-25). Compare a loader that fits well to a favorite pair of work gloves. If you wore a pair of gloves or shoes that were too big, they would feel sloppy and cumbersome.

I also include photo of the loader at full height, it was the best view I had of the bracket system. You can see how the brackets & tower wraps around the tractor. Then tower lowers to the ground for dismounting.

I think you pointed out why many loaders are sticking out farther than they have to. Standardization at the cost of utility. Also the ability to see what is happening is easier with the loader sticking way way out there in front. I am old school in some ways and prefer a tight tucked loader. For me, they work out better with less stress on the front axles.

I don't however completely buy the extra capacity is just sitting there in reserve point. That would only be true if the bucket doesn't hold enough to max it out. Then again, the buckets on the 990's didn't look like 3/4 yard, so maybe it is reserve?

How big are the cylinders on those loaders? They looked like 3".

jb

 

[Robert_in_NY]

JB, put a set of pallet forks on there and then you have more options for lifting that much weight. It isn't just what the bucket will hold, it is what the loader can lift via any possible way.

I have no doubt that the Westendorf loader will do as they say but I have doubts in a lot of the operators on compact tractors abilities to handle that much weight with a compact. Not all the operators but from my own experience there are very few people I would trust with my loader tractors and even then I tell them which tractor they will take depending on their skill and the job they are trying to do. The compact loader is very tipsy compared to the utilty loader tractor. I have never tipped one over yet but I do know their limitations.

 

[AndyMA]

Thanks for the replies.

I started looking at the New Holland tn-60 & tn-70, but I'm still not set on New Holland, just that it seems to be the most for the cost. The other thing is that I only have a 7000# trailer, so going any bigger will also require me to get a heavy duty trailer.
I just wanted to know what size of tractor COULD do the job. I just didn't want to get a 40-50 hp and not be able to unload. If I actually had to get a trailer of hay, I would then be able to unload it with out having to hire someone to do it.

ScoutDork

You're not thinking about puttng a TN on a 7000 lb trailer? I have a 10,000 lb trailer and it's not enough for my TN. You need a 12,000 lb trailer.

Andy

 

[Westendorf-RR]

I have no doubt that the Westendorf loader will do as they say but I have doubts in a lot of the operators on compact tractors abilities to handle that much weight with a compact. Not all the operators but from my own experience there are very few people I would trust with my loader tractors and even then I tell them which tractor they will take depending on their skill and the job they are trying to do. The compact loader is very tipsy compared to the utilty loader tractor. I have never tipped one over yet but I do know their limitations.

Well-Put. Robert.

JB,
Loader has a 2 1/2" or 3" cylinder option. We do a lot of custom builds to match applications.