Tractor Sizing L 3800

[IMFoghorn]

I'm getting ready to buy another tractor for my small farm. One of the things I will need to do is move maby 50 round bales a year to storage and to feed lot. I found a L 3800 near by but I'm wondering if it will carry a 4x5 round bale. Does anyone have any experience carrying round bales with an L3800?

I know bigger is almost always better. I've looked at the M 4700 and would really like to buy one. There is quite a step up in dollars between the M 4700 new and the L 3800 I have spotted. My farm is not large. I'm pretty sure carrying the round bales would be the most I would be asking out of the tractor.

 

[murphy1244]

Lifts about 855Lbs at full height. The bail has to be more than that.

 

[IMFoghorn]

Thanks Murph. I'm sure the FEL will not handle the load. I am thinking more of a hay spear on the back. I know that is twice as many trips. Time I've got, money not so much. I should have worded my question better. I'm interested to know how/if the tractor will handle the load on the back on uneven ground.

 

[Chilly807]

We've moved 4x5 round bales with our L3400, with them strapped to the bucket since we don't have a bale spear. The type of hay and how tightly it's packed will be the difference. The bales we had were roughly 650 lbs.

We moved them on a flat surface, from the back of a truck to the barn, so I can't say much to what it would be like on uneven ground. The L3800 has the same lift capacity as the L3400, possibly slightly more.

Moving them with a spear on the 3-point should be no problem at all lift capacity wise. Stability is really up the operator. I'd be more comfortable with the MX4700 or MX5100 to be sure.

Sean

 

[Bluegill2]

No problem at all with a bale spike on the 3 pt hitch.

My FEL will lift a little over 1000 lbs, but would rather move bales on the back.

I've been very impressed with this L3800DT!

 

[bigbull338]

personally i wouldnt dare lift rd bales on the fel or rear with that tractor.i would look at something like the mx5100.i had an mx5100hst 4x4 fel.an it was used to lift lite 4 by 6 an 5 by 6s that wasnt put up tight.went to heavy tight 5 by 6s this summer an the mx5100 hst strained.so it was traded for a 7040SU 4x4 fel.

 

[Bluegill2]

I've had close to 2000 lbs on the 3 pt of my L3800 and it handled it just fine.

But for moving heavy bales often, I agree a larger rig would be better.

 

[Chilly807]

I'm saying the same thing.. it'll do it, but it's not an ideal situation and there's little room for error. We used ours because we had it and the job needed done.

Sean

 

[TexasBoy]

I was picking up 1200# stuff yesterday with my L4600 with no problem at all. Im sure if would handle a standard round bale.

Did you rule out that model ?

 

[LD1]

Pretty much agree with others. It will do it, but not ideal. If only 50 bales a year, I dont see a huge issue. Just keep the bale on the front close to the ground, and as long as stacking isnt involved, I think you will be okay, but again, not ideal.

SO if you have some other reason (other than price) that makes you want/need the smaller tractor, get the 3400.

IF the only reason is money, and primary tasks is bales, then you will be pushing the tractor to the max all of the time. And a little more money now may save much more money later.