JD 3320 w/ 300CX - Can the FEL handle round bales?

[KennK]

We have a few horses and are thinking of moving to using round hay bales. I know my JD 3320 with the 300CX FEL can lift them using a 3PH round bale spear, but I'm wondering if we can use a FEL spear. I'd prefer the kind that attach where the bucket is - rather than the kind that clamp on the bucket itself.

...and before you ask, I don't really know how much the bales weight. I've read they can vary a lot.

Thanks!

 

[arlen4720]

I handle them all the time with my 400cx. I know they range from 1000 lbs to 1800 pounds. There seems to be two basic sizes. If you go with the smaller ones, they should be in the 1000-1200 pound range, with the CG being out about 24 inches from the loader pivot point. I think the 300cx would do those quite nicely. The heaviest ones might give you some problems, but you may be able to at least "squeak" them off the trailer. Just keep things "slow and low".
You will need about 1000 pounds of ballast on your 3 point, and you definately need a JDQA bale spear...not the clamp on.

 

[cartod]

Id say you will be at the upper end with that. I pushed my 3320 to the limits with forks and I get hesitant with much over 1200 lbs. I had about 800# of ballast. If I were going to be moving bales regularly I would at a minimum want a 4000 series. My 2 cents.

 

[AKfish]

Id say you will be at the upper end with that. I pushed my 3320 to the limits with forks and I get hesitant with much over 1200 lbs. I had about 800# of ballast. If I were going to be moving bales regularly I would at a minimum want a 4000 series. My 2 cents.

Add in the weight of the forks (~300 lbs) and you're getting close to working limit for the 300CX loader @ ~1,500 lbs. But... more ballast is better than not enough! Much easier on the front drive assembly and the power steering - not to mention - safety!

Nonetheless, if you're only planning to feed (and move) 20 round bales a year - he'd be just fine with his 3320 - IMO.

AKfish

 

[cartod]

You also need to keep in mind that the bales weight is not all right at the pivot point, but extended out over the length of the pole.

 

[AKfish]

You also need to keep in mind that the bales weight is not all right at the pivot point, but extended out over the length of the pole.

Very true..

We don't feed alfalfa hay to our horses. Not even alfalfa/hay blend, either. Those type of bales are the heaviest. Most guys up here have switched to 4' bales 'cause you can load and haul 'em on a standard 8.5' trailer; 2-wide.

Can't do that legally with 5' bales - without pilot cars.

Most of my 4'x5' timothy bales are around 700lbs. Brome hay tends to be a bit heavier than the timothy. But, I'd guess that they're only 850lbs.

Five foot round bales are 25-33% larger and heavier.

AKfish

 

[gzfrt9]

I have a 4400 which is a little bigger with the 300cx loader. For three years I moved and fed over 200 4x5 round bales with my machine. The handled them ok. Keep it low and slow. Second, you can not use clamp on tines or spear in the bucket. The loader doesn't have the power for that. I use pallet forks and they work great. In fact a little better than the spear. Because you don't have the twisting or turning on the spears. Plus the pallet forks have a higher back stop on them. Note, only rear tires loaded. I have r4's

This is what works for me!

I have now moved to hauling bales with 5520 with Loader.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I forget the size of our bales, but I think they are 5x5 and I can move them with my 3720 with NO hanging ballast. I do have filled tires with Rim Guard. We keep the bales inside a run in shed and I just don't have the room between the fence and the shed to turn in with much more than my skidding winch if that. I load into a feeder that requires me to lift so the bottom is a good 30" off the ground and no problems.

I'd suggest the skid steer attach and a Virnig bale spear or similar. I have a Hoover (menonite special) and it's OK just not on the same level of quality as Virnig.

 

[ctlguy]

Add in the weight of the forks (~300 lbs) and you're getting close to working limit for the 300CX loader @ ~1,500 lbs. But... more ballast is better than not enough! Much easier on the front drive assembly and the power steering - not to mention - safety!

Nonetheless, if you're only planning to feed (and move) 20 round bales a year - he'd be just fine with his 3320 - IMO.

AKfish

I agree, lots of folks moving grass bales from time to time with this chassis of tractor. For occasional use should be acceptable, be safe.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I did sneak out and measure. Our bales are 4x5 typical grass horse hay. The baler has a chpopper so he can chop the center and then leave long on the outer plus it is net wrapped. This hay is very thoroughly dried as well.