John 348 Square Baler - no go with a 4720?

[bam747]

Does the 4720 allow modulated engagement of its rear PTO? I sure hope so!

If not, it would seem to me that trying to "instantly" get all the mass built into a JD baler's mechanism moving (they all have very heavy flywheels) would be problematic, even if you only engage the PTO at slow engine RPMs (might stall the tractor?) and then throttle up to full 540 RPM engine speed.

 

[bam747]

I think the consensus so far is that the 4720 has enough PTO HP to run a JD baler (at least for light hay), but it might be lacking in mass.

I'd think it would be beneficial to ballast up the tractor as much as possible, including maximally filled rear tires, perhaps even with additional cast iron wheel weights (if allowed) as well as front suitcase weights. Or, I suppose you could leave the FEL on the tractor for its additional mass while baling (I'd definitely remove it for mowing or raking though).

I've seen a New Holland TC45D running a New Holland small square baler in medium to heavy hay and it was sure getting jerked back and forth with each stroke of the baler's plunger (it did not have a FEL on it or any front suitcase weights). But, with the TC45D's hydro transmission, it was able to just barley creep along. I'd also say the hydro transmission was absorbing a lot of drive line shock that might have been problematic with a geared transmission on a CUT weight tractor.

 

[ddivinia]

Yeah, the PTO is on or off - can't slowly engage it. My woodchipper has a large flywheel also and I start it up slowly to reduce the shock on it all.

Who knows, maybe I need to buy a 5303. Of course a cab would be nice.

D.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

Every good haying operation requires two tractors: a big one for running the moco and baler and a smaller one for tedding and raking. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ddivinia]

I am sure I can convince myself for another tractor, but the wife might be a tad harder. We just bought some more land and I think I can get more use out of a dozer right now. I need to do some homework on renting vs. buying a dozer....


D.

 

[slowzuki]

A few stories together, Daryl (Mr. 5030) has been baling squares and rounds with his 5030 hstc for 3 years now. He got the idea from having to use his "lawnmower" L3710 the year before when all their ag tractors broke.

Kubota had an advertisement showing an L4310 pulling a heston. A fellow broke the pto shaft on an L4310 and the dealer was in a bit of a scuff about it after finding out he was baling (I think it was actually squares)

I have not heard of a newer L30 series popping the PTO yet while a number of the L10's had shaft and output gear troubles.

I have been baling squares with our 5030 and it doesn't rock any worse than the ag tractor we also bale with. We did use a neighbours heavier tractor last year and it didn't rock much but it was pretty ungainly trying to get down the windrows.

I would love to try a 4x4 rounder behind our 5030 as I think it would be even easier on it than the square baler.

As for raking, I have to disagree, the longer the wheelbase the better, our 5030 is much too bumpy to ted or rake hay at good speed. I have to figure out how to remove some air from the back tires without letting out the calcium.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
There was a guy on TBN here a couple of years ago that tried running a round baler on his 5030. The Kubota brochure actually showed a picture of the 5030 running a Hesston. The guy's 5030 ended up swallowing the PTO and if I remember right, Kubota really balked at fixing it under warranty.

Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font>

 

[TTLLMM]

All of this discussion is quite amusing. I run a New Holland 489 9' Haybine with a Deere 4120, with no issue at all. I have cut alfalfa/timothy hay that was taller than the tractor hood (due to delayed cutting from a wet spring) I bale with a 14T and 24T baler, and I can feed hay as fast as I want, with the limit being the baler. The 4120 has no problem breaking every shear pin in the baler. I can engage the PTO from 2400 RPM with no issue whatsoever, although I often idle the tractor down first. So far I have baled over 6,000 bales in 1-1/2 years. The tractor is the least of the problem. I have a flat field, and usually do not pull a wagon behind the baler, so I understand hills plus wagons in tow require a tractor with more mass.

Also, the HST is awesome for haying. I can vary my ground speed continuously to keep the feedrate of the baler nearly constant.

Now, who has run a round baler behind a 4720?

 

[whitedogone]

All of this discussion is quite amusing. I run a New Holland 489 9' Haybine with a Deere 4120, with no issue at all. I have cut alfalfa/timothy hay that was taller than the tractor hood (due to delayed cutting from a wet spring) I bale with a 14T and 24T baler, and I can feed hay as fast as I want, with the limit being the baler. The 4120 has no problem breaking every shear pin in the baler. I can engage the PTO from 2400 RPM with no issue whatsoever, although I often idle the tractor down first. So far I have baled over 6,000 bales in 1-1/2 years. The tractor is the least of the problem. I have a flat field, and usually do not pull a wagon behind the baler, so I understand hills plus wagons in tow require a tractor with more mass.

Also, the HST is awesome for haying. I can vary my ground speed continuously to keep the feedrate of the baler nearly constant.

Now, who has run a round baler behind a 4720?

We were baleing with the 4120 as well this week. Works fine. I'm not sure i'd want to round bale with it.