Baling with a CUT

[JD3520]

I seem to have more questions than answers today. I was looking at and old post of a CUT being used to bale round bales. It showed the Hesson 730 round baler and the specs showed a 30 pto hp minimum. Here is my question.

Are the hp requirements for a square baler less than a round baler? My dad had and old jd wire tie square baler and it is still at his property. Can my 3520 (30.5 pto hp) power this baler? As best as I can remember it needed new wire cutters but we used it as of 6 years ago and it has been under roof since then. We used a ford 3600 to power it w/o any problem. I hate to invest money in it and later find out I don't have enough tractor to power it. All land to work is very flat.

 

[MarlandS]

Farmall M's were only about 30 hp and H's were less and they pulled those balers just fine, I wouldn't be afraid to try it.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> Are the hp requirements for a square baler less than a round baler? </font>
Since there were a number of threads about baling hay with a CUT, perhaps the one you found didn't mention this. Tthe issue with CUTs and baling hay is not just the PTO hp, it's also the weight of the tractor and the 'beating' a square baler can put on a tractor. Many of the 'old' tractors had similar hp, but weighed more than a CUT.

 

[JD3520]

Thanks Mike,

That is one of my concerns. The old 3600 was around 4400# and the 3520 is 2900# (plus around 800# for the fel for 3700# total). Plus the 3520 gives up 80 c.i. and I don't know how much torque to the 3600. Are there any other items I need to consider?

chuck

 

[JerryG]

As Mike touched on, the PTO hp is not the problem. Most compact tractors are to light to safely operate a baler. Another problem is that the PTO gears on compact tractors are to light duty to take the abuse that the baler puts out. I wouldn't chance tearing the PTO gears out of a new compact.

 

[cowboydoc]

Not only the weight of the tractor but the size and weight of the motor. Those older tractors were a torque monster. The cranks in them were twice the size of the cranks in todays tractors. Plus the pto was alot larger and heavier built. Think of it like a 30 hp lawn tractor. You wouldn't even think of doing the things with a 30 hp lawn tractor that you would your 3x20 tractor. Hp is not hp. There are alot more factors to consider.

 

[JD3520]

Thanks for the replies. Guess i will just get it in the best shape i can and sell it. never was much fond of baling square bales anyway.

 

[dixiedrifter]

I'd say 35 HP and a heavy old tractor to pull a square baler...

My grandpa's old AC D14 would pull a model 305 AC baler just fine, along wiht a 3 bottom breaking plow and an 8 foot disc.

You couldn't hardly bog down his other tractor, a AC D17 gas burner and it weighed in as much or more than my M9000 kubota...

If your doing flat ground 50-60 minimum to pull a small round baler.. Krone's don't take much horsepower, neither do vermeer Rebel series. Don't even think about it with a New Holland though, they suck HP.

 

[kensfarm]

I'd say give it a try once you get it fixed up.. I'm on my second season making squares w/ a an old NH273 w/ thrower.. it shakes the TC35D some.. but it has no problem powering the bailer. My wheels are loaded & I also have wheel weights.. keep the FEL on too. I've operated on some pretty good slopes too.

 

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue"> I seem to have more questions than answers today. </font>

You may be able to squeeze by with the square baler if you are baling 300-400 bales per year(Max). More than that and I would be concerned about trackwidth and weight of the tractor, as has been mentioned.--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New 50 inch Buhler 3 point Snowblowers $1495*