Lifting a Round Bale

[ajllynco]

I have a JD 3032e with a 300 front end loader, can I pick up a round bale of hay (4X5) with it (with the proper attachment)?

 

[D&D]

Lots of counterweight. Pick it up probably, lift it all the way up, probably not.
A 4x5 round bale weighs ~800 lbs. That model 300 loader is rated for ~ 845 lbs.

 

[J&K]

Forks or Bale spear is what you will need to life them. Bale spear is my preferred so you don't not break Twine or net wrap. 3032 should life them with proper ballast as stated above.
I am able to lift them with my 790 if I have to.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a JD 3032e with a 300 front end loader, can I pick up a round bale of hay (4X5) with it (with the proper attachment)?

Depends on weight. I made over 50,000 round bales before I switched to large square bales. A round bale can weigh anywhere from 500-1,500lbs.

I’s say the average is about 800lbs. Remember, your bale spear becomes part of the lifting capacity of your loader.

You can also use your 3-PT hitch to lift them off the ground, but I’m guessing you are trying to unload from a truck?

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm not familiar with the 3032E, but the numbers make me think it's in the 30 HP range. I bought hay from a guy who used a 5050E to load 4x5 round bales, and it was a struggle. The loader could lift them, but the tractor was very unstable. Even with another bale on the rear, it was borderline. He only used it when his bigger tractor was down, and he felt it was a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[IndyIan]

Maybe with 1000lbs on the 3pth? on very level ground, very carefully. Seems like you could move them with a 3pt spear ok, but on the loader in a field or barnyard, I think you are too close to the max for regular use.
I used to just slide 4x5 bales off my trailer with the ATV uphill from where I wanted them and roll them with a pitch fork into the barn as they are round after all!
If I was you I would pull them off the truck or trailer with your tractor and use a 3pt spear to move, or get a bigger tractor.
My tractor is basically double the weight, 6' wide and its fine for 4x5's with one on the 3pt, or the HD box blade. But on slight slopes once the bale up 6'+ to put it into a feeder or onto a trailer I go real slow. All the fulltime farmers I deal with seem to have a 6-7-8000lb tractor minimum to do 800lb bales, and then they never have a counter weight on the back.

 

[big bubba]

loading rear tires may help w/stability as well to keep you on the ground

 

[RayIN]

Overloading the FEL can have negative consequences. Dad put a FEL on our old Farmall Super M to move round bales and had a spear on the 3-pt hitch.
The old tractor did well for a few years, then broke in half one cold day. It took me 4 days to make repairs. This required a new bell-housing, so had to remove all the clutch works first.
The tractor was perhaps 1/4 mile from the barn, with no way to get both halves to the barn I had to make repairs in the field in December. I finally had to call in a mobile mechanic to help me, and we both nearly froze.
That happened approx. 45 years ago.