Buying Advice lifting abilty in compacts- looking for a second smaller tractor

[4570Man]

I agree with the operate it for yourself for at least a few hours before coming to a conclusion.

 

[WVfarmin]

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies so far. I will try and take a few pictures, but my main concern is the size of the storage bays in the pole barn. So far three posts have been snapped or cracked, and the front center has been hit so many times he sistered it and took the thing out. If you don't go dead straight in and out you will hit a post with the rear wheels which he has moved out all the way out for more stability on our hills. So when a bale rolls off to the side , you have a **** of a time spearing it, and the bays are deep. Our barn is like 60 wide by 40 deep. This is what happens when a salesman offered a bigger tractor for just a few more dollars than the one he was supposed to get.and there was zero percent financing....ahem. I do need to play with the Mahindra more, I admit, it didn't help the seat is stuck in position for him, so like I'm 5"4 and he's 6ft so I was sitting on the edge to reach the clutch, etc. He takes the bales down a steep *** hill to feed on our bottom paddock, if I feed I'm only gonna feed up top where it is pretty flat cause that hill has gotten hairy for him in the big tractor in the winter. The dealer has a new 1526 with a loader on clearance for 18k, but that's still a chunk of change for sure. I've noticed larger 30-40hp hst tractors used just don't pop up for sale here near as often, just bx series kubotas and the equiv. John deeres. Prob because people around here find out they need bigger tractors, lol. I do like the idea of a skid steer to get it out of the barn, we have a concrete floor, but those used aren't real cheap either if in decent shape. Anyone have a smaller kioti? the one guy I knew who had one loved it to death over Kubota but he only used it to skid logs in his woodmill yard. Wonder if the dealers will be keen on me showing up with a round bale in the bed of our truck and ask to try and lift it out and move it with one of their smaller tractors....im guessing they wont be amused..lol

 

[LouNY]

Wonder if the dealers will be keen on me showing up with a round bale in the bed of our truck and ask to try and lift it out and move it with one of their smaller tractors....im guessing they wont be amused..lol

That is the best idea I have seen on this thread so far.
Any dealer that will not let their tractor be demo in working conditions, isn't worth using.

Other suggestions of good merit where to get a few bales ( a weeks worth, maybe) where you can get the larger tractor to them.
If you are getting deep frozen ruts causing problems with the larger tractor it will cause even more problems with a smaller tractor.
Are you using tire chains in the mud? They are very helpful.

Many people love skid steers, I'm not one of them. In soft muddy ground with a load when they get stuck they are heavy to drag out.
And they will get stuck in soft muddy feed lots.
A small forklift on the concrete floor could get your bales to the door where your tractor could then carry them.
Small forklifts are sometimes found reasonably, they are helpless of solid concrete or pavement.

Good Luck

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies so far. I will try and take a few pictures, but my main concern is the size of the storage bays in the pole barn. So far three posts have been snapped or cracked, and the front center has been hit so many times he sistered it and took the thing out. If you don't go dead straight in and out you will hit a post with the rear wheels which he has moved out all the way out for more stability on our hills. So when a bale rolls off to the side , you have a **** of a time spearing it, and the bays are deep. Our barn is like 60 wide by 40 deep. This is what happens when a salesman offered a bigger tractor for just a few more dollars than the one he was supposed to get.and there was zero percent financing....ahem. I do need to play with the Mahindra more, I admit, it didn't help the seat is stuck in position for him, so like I'm 5"4 and he's 6ft so I was sitting on the edge to reach the clutch, etc. He takes the bales down a steep *** hill to feed on our bottom paddock, if I feed I'm only gonna feed up top where it is pretty flat cause that hill has gotten hairy for him in the big tractor in the winter. The dealer has a new 1526 with a loader on clearance for 18k, but that's still a chunk of change for sure. I've noticed larger 30-40hp hst tractors used just don't pop up for sale here near as often, just bx series kubotas and the equiv. John deeres. Prob because people around here find out they need bigger tractors, lol. I do like the idea of a skid steer to get it out of the barn, we have a concrete floor, but those used aren't real cheap either if in decent shape. Anyone have a smaller kioti? the one guy I knew who had one loved it to death over Kubota but he only used it to skid logs in his woodmill yard. Wonder if the dealers will be keen on me showing up with a round bale in the bed of our truck and ask to try and lift it out and move it with one of their smaller tractors....im guessing they wont be amused..lol

Leave the spear in it on the truck. If the dealer won't let you connect to the spear and lift the bail, then you don't want to make a purchase from them anyway. Go try the 1526, you'll like it.

I have a Mahindra 7520 4x4 and a 3215 HST. Big is not always better. All depends on what you're doing and what the surroundings are.

 

[Garandman]

https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/l2501.pdf

For a Kubota L2501, lift capacity at pins 1,918 lbs. 24 beyond pins capacity is 1,389 lbs.

 

[Tractorable]

You might want to check out the new RK37 tractor from Rural King. Nice size, strong loader and affordable with a Japanese Yanmar engine with 8 year power train warranty. Check out the YouTube channel Outdoors with the Morgan’s. He’s been demo’ing them and making good videos.

Not sure where you are in WV but there are Rural King stores in Virginia, Ohio, and I believe WV as well.

 

[4570Man]

The local dealer lets people demo used equipment on their property. I can’t imagine any dealer not letting you lift a bale on the dealer lot.

 

[4570Man]

https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/l2501.pdf

For a Kubota L2501, lift capacity at pins 1,918 lbs. 24 beyond pins capacity is 1,389 lbs.

That’s the 3 point hitch. The loader is rated about 1100 to full height at the pins. It’s the same loader as my L3800 and I don’t think it’ll lift a 900 pound bale.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I'd have the Mahindra dealer drop the 1526 off at your farm, WITH a ballast of some sort on the rear 3pt. Then put on your bail spear and try it out, in your own barn, and actually take one out and drop it in your feeder. Make sure the tractor can not only lift and carry the round bale on flat level concrete, but can actually traverse rough uneven ground with it safely, and then pick it up, angle it and drop it in your feeder.

Any other dealer should be willing to do the same, but you already have a relationship with the Mahindra dealer (you've already bought one from them, lol).

I too, personally despise skid steers. Destroy the ground (you're talking about rutting the ground with a utility tractor), crazy expensive, even used, unless they're totally wrecked, repairs are stupid expensive, and I'm not sure you're going to be able to reach the top row of bales with a small skid steer anyway, as the loaders always seem too short. Only thing skidders are fit for is new construction sites, where the ground hasn't been finish graded yet.

 

[majorwager]

I'd have the Mahindra dealer drop the 1526 off at your farm, WITH a ballast of some sort on the rear 3pt. Then put on your bail spear and try it out, in your own barn, and actually take one out and drop it in your feeder. Make sure the tractor can not only lift and carry the round bale on flat level concrete, but can actually traverse rough uneven ground with it safely, and then pick it up, angle it and drop it in your feeder.

Any other dealer should be willing to do the same, but you already have a relationship with the Mahindra dealer (you've already bought one from them, lol).

I too, personally despise skid steers. Destroy the ground (you're talking about rutting the ground with a utility tractor), crazy expensive, even used, unless they're totally wrecked, repairs are stupid expensive, and I'm not sure you're going to be able to reach the top row of bales with a small skid steer anyway, as the loaders always seem too short. Only thing skidders are fit for is new construction sites, where the ground hasn't been finish graded yet.

Wow, Title this annihilation of the skid steer loader, But from the ashes to slowpoke slim's complete suprise, emerges the Bobcat S 770 AWS loader. Able to scale large hay piles in a single bound, not faster than a speeding bullet, but it will outlift most any compact tractor and reach higher as well. The best part, it has 4 wheel steering, NO TURF DAMAGE, low center of gravity so great slope stability. I have operated this machine, it is on my "justify this purchase list". It is a 92 hp beast that can dance across a lawn w/ no trace. NO DPF either. Pilot joystick controls, machine operation really can't get any simpler. Oh and love this feature, has a remote control option. Just a FYI.

EDIT:
Bobcat Above rides better than any of my tractors since it was air seat equipped. Yes it is expensive, 90" finish mower and WOT, Productivity and investment are not strangers. The hay season Deere is a little smoother, suspended cab and the air seat.

Mountain view, if you haven't operated the machine above, how did you form your operating opinion?.