JD 2320, Can it lift round bales????

yelbike · Jul 3, 2012

I have JD 2320. I was woundering if I can move round bales with it. I was looking at a bale spear for the tph. It would be on a small scale, enough to feed a couple of head. Next option would be to purchase an older tractor to do that job.

This is what I get from tractordata:Rear lift (at ends): 1,433 lbs [650 kg]

Rear lift (at 24"/610mm): 1,150 lbs [521 kg]

I know in theory it should work, but will it work in the real world?

CountyLine® 3 Point Hay Spike - 2120288 | Tractor Supply Company

oldnslo · Jul 3, 2012

What size round bales are you going to be moving? Smaller ones I don't see a problem, may need some weight on the front. Large ones I doubt you could move.

lwalsh · Jul 3, 2012

Back into bale, pull back on 3pt lift lever, raise front wheels approx. 1 foot off ground with loader, raise loader. This would be cheating but would allow you to exceed the lift capacity of the 3pt. May need some weight in the bucket to steer. May break your tractor.

foreman Etexas · Jul 3, 2012

I have a friend with small tractor and he ask me to bale him four 48x48in. bales,if you know the baler guy may be able to ask him to bale you some smaller ones. Its not really a big deal to make a cple small ones in pasture if you know you have them sold.

cjdavis618 · Jul 3, 2012

If they are the large bales, I wouldn't try it. The lift rating is based on the ends of the 3pt. The further you go out, (Which could be 4') the lift capacity decreases really quick. With possibly 1500lbs -2000lbs or more per bale, that is a huge task for a smallish CUT. That said, you could probably push it up into a trailer or truck or something as long as the tractor wasn't the only thing holding the weight.

If it is the small round bales like 4x4 rounds, it may do it if your very careful. The 4x6' rounds, not if I had your tractor. Lifting it is one thing, bouncing during movement is where the real stress comes in.

KennyG · Jul 3, 2012

The owners manual for the 2320 specifically says don't use it to lift large bales. Doesn't mean it's impossible but obvioiusly not the best choice.

Jerry/MT · Jul 3, 2012

The rating you should be using is the rating for 24"' behind the lift link ends. So if you have a 4 ft wide bale , that's the applicable lift capcity.
Beside the hitch lift capacity, the other thing you have to consider is the affect on steering. You may require some ballast on the fron to hold the front end down.

BeeferMan · Jul 4, 2012

Meaningless question unless you specify the weight of the bales in question. Round bales can be made in sizes from 400 to 200o+ pounds. If the spec says you can lift 1150 @ 24 inches w/ the tph, then probably you can lift 1150 pound bales safely...

rdrash · Jul 5, 2012

I wouldn't try it with mine. Even if the bales aren't to big how many can you lift until you brake something? I needed 3 1100lbs-1500lbs bales moved this winter and I was out of town. The girlfriend doesnt like to drive my big tractor, so she just rolled the bales with the frontend loader of the 2320(not the best way but it works), she even was able to stand them up so she could fork them over the fence for the horses.

Trevor

BrokenAxle46 · Jul 15, 2012

I have a JD2320 and have been doing different task like hauling wet concrete, grubbing saplings, pushing over trees, clearing brush, tilling, mowing, moving rock driveway, dirt and the like but not hauling hay bales. The size of this tractor is only 48" wide from the outside rear tire to the tire on the other side. It's somewhat top heavy depending on what you are doing and for that reason, I would not use this tractor for moving hay bales for fear of tipping the tractor over. More power, better handling, higher lifting and less safety issues with a bigger tractor. Best of luck, be careful, the life you save could be your own.