rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
Hi georgi!!
Round bales are handy. Round bales sure are dangerous, too!
I only have one tractor. I have about 12 horses (I think) and we wanted a small tractor to get in tight places.
The 4310 is rated to handle SMALL round bales (about 800lbs...) That is with the loader. I have handles up to 1800Lb bales with a 3 point spike.
I figured I would use 800Lb bales. But they weren't any good, and the bales that I like are 1000Lb. I can carry one up front, and one in the rear very nicely. I was concerned about unloading them when they are delivered, but they come in on self unloading trailors now. All I do is back up witht he spike and drive off.
The problem is that ONE time that I have been feeding on a dark rainy night. It was plain scary! I couldn't see and the tractor was sliding and pitching like a green colt. I had a bale up front, but my backhoe in the rear.
SO. only take a bale up front, if there is already one in the rear.
And be real careful in bad weather!
One final note. I have given up on twine wrapped bales. One try at net wrapped ones, and I will never go back. The twine always had a way to escape, and it sure tears up things.
Finally, using a small tractor to handle bales has more risk than a larger one. Get the biggest little tractor you can. And just because a loader can lift a weight, it may not be able to handle that large of a bale.
Round bales are handy. Round bales sure are dangerous, too!
I only have one tractor. I have about 12 horses (I think) and we wanted a small tractor to get in tight places.
The 4310 is rated to handle SMALL round bales (about 800lbs...) That is with the loader. I have handles up to 1800Lb bales with a 3 point spike.
I figured I would use 800Lb bales. But they weren't any good, and the bales that I like are 1000Lb. I can carry one up front, and one in the rear very nicely. I was concerned about unloading them when they are delivered, but they come in on self unloading trailors now. All I do is back up witht he spike and drive off.
The problem is that ONE time that I have been feeding on a dark rainy night. It was plain scary! I couldn't see and the tractor was sliding and pitching like a green colt. I had a bale up front, but my backhoe in the rear.
SO. only take a bale up front, if there is already one in the rear.
And be real careful in bad weather!
One final note. I have given up on twine wrapped bales. One try at net wrapped ones, and I will never go back. The twine always had a way to escape, and it sure tears up things.
Finally, using a small tractor to handle bales has more risk than a larger one. Get the biggest little tractor you can. And just because a loader can lift a weight, it may not be able to handle that large of a bale.
