990 owners and round bales

[rockyridgefarm]

great post Dutch!

your test is pretty good. But one caution. Will he always be working on a nice level paved parking lot? There is huge difference between dry level ground and real life feeding. You only feed at 2 AM, with gale force winds in pouring rain. OK, maybe it only seems that way. (And I know your rain is white...) But in these slightly less than optimal conditions, it is a pretty scary ride, even with the bales just on the 3 point.

No matter what, having a 3 point bale spear is great. Having one bale n the rear sure makes the front go better.

It should work, and the seat is already yellow if it gets real hairy...

 

[Dutch445]

that's why we are going to load the tires for sure,,
i think with only 900 lbs, and tires loaded, it's going
to be ok. the customer is quite level where he is,,
and if we need more box weight, there is always an
extension that can be added.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Yeah, I figure you'd got it covered. You never know who will read these posts and not consider all factors...

Good looking machine!

 

[SteelDust]

I'm considering a 990 with 300CX over the 2520 with 200CX as it may be able to handle the large bales, in my case it would probably be large squares. I would be moving them off a trailer, over a flat surface, and stacking 3 high (hopefully). I'm not going to be moving them long distances or over rought terrain. I don't have to put up large amounts as the farmer I buy hay from is less than 5 miles away and won't sell it out from under me. Also, the bales are a bit less than what were lifted in the pics. Plus, I'd of course have tires filled and use enough ballast.

Thanks for the pictures, that may seal my decision to go with the 990 over the 2520 for $1500 more. Even if it doesn't work out for moving the large bales I still think it's a lot more tractor for the money, as I'm not at all opposed to shifting.

 

[Dutch445]

Saturday we are going to get a real test with the bales,,,
If I can , I'll try to get some pics and see how it goes.
Our objective with the bales will be to get them up and
over a 5' fence, we don't think moving them around low
will be a problem.

 

[SteelDust]

Saturday we are going to get a real test with the bales,,,
If I can , I'll try to get some pics and see how it goes.
Our objective with the bales will be to get them up and
over a 5' fence, we don't think moving them around low
will be a problem.

I look forward to seeing how it goes.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

And do the same with a 3000TWENTY sometime!

For Science - TBN - and Dutch's paycheck!

 

[slowzuki]

As a note, the tipping point if she will tip stationary is when the bucket is level with the upper loader boom pins. Higher than that it gets less tippy when parked.

Moving is a whole other story, sudden stops of bumps or acceleration will send the tractor tumbling. That is one thing you notice right away on compacts is the short wheelbase for sharp steering makes a poorer loader base when working up high.

 

[ducati996]

I'm considering a 990 with 300CX over the 2520 with 200CX as it may be able to handle the large bales, in my case it would probably be large squares. I would be moving them off a trailer, over a flat surface, and stacking 3 high (hopefully). I'm not going to be moving them long distances or over rought terrain. I don't have to put up large amounts as the farmer I buy hay from is less than 5 miles away and won't sell it out from under me. Also, the bales are a bit less than what were lifted in the pics. Plus, I'd of course have tires filled and use enough ballast.

Thanks for the pictures, that may seal my decision to go with the 990 over the 2520 for $1500 more. Even if it doesn't work out for moving the large bales I still think it's a lot more tractor for the money, as I'm not at all opposed to shifting.

As much as I think highly of my 2520 series- handling bales is not going to happen with a 2520....

You might want to look at the 3120 or higher....3120 is close in price to the 2520

 

[N80]

I would also recommend rear ballast in addition to loaded tires. I have a comparable Kubota and even with a bucket load of dirt, a box blade (etc) on the rear makes a big difference even though my tires are loaded too.