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

[Slowpoke Slim]

Yeah, ok.

I bet it's cheap too.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

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.

Now back to reality.

This would be ideal if the dealer will do it. :thumbsup:

Another negative with the skid steer is mowing. While yes you can mow with them, BIG $$$$ for the mower and one rough ride. The OP wanted to also be able to mow with Hubby as well as other tasks I am sure.

 

[WVfarmin]

Well, yesterday I did take a look at the 1526 Mahindra and the RK 37, since we have both a Mahindra dealer and rural king about a hour away. I really liked the Mahindra as far as decent size and build. But it is so much smaller I question the stability of the thing once you pick up a bale to move. Sadly, the dealer had closed early for the holiday and I couldn't test drive it. I looked at the rural king 37 mainly as a lark, but I had to admit it was 11 hp more, a tad taller and beefier, and basically the same money. I have no doubt it would have no problem at all with round bales. If you wanted to add options like a backhoe or a cab, the cost savings blow the comparable hp sized Mahinda out of the water. In fact while we stood there sweating in 90 degree heat I saw him eyeballing that air conditioned cab a bit too much, ha! SO I found my tractor, right? Eh, not sure. These haven't been around long enough for me to find many reviews from people using them long term. I mean do they fall apart in 4 years? I know neither of us was impressed the hydraulic lines are on the outside of the loader where they run down and swing under right next to the cab by the step bar..um, how hard would it have been to put it on the inside of the frame to protect them? Or maybe a small shield if nothing else? And the back side where the rear pto is had turnbuckles, and I know they are a pain in the you know what when they get old and rusted or otherwise stuck. it just makes me wonder when they do something cheap or dumb that a noob like me can pick out what else might be a bad idea that I have no clue about. I did see that morgan guys video reviews and they are impressive, but I have yet to see either of these tractors take a hill carrying anything or take a hill period. Even if I only feed on the flat I would like to know before plunking down all that money what else it can do. These videos always seem to be on flat ground.. I'm gonna go back and drive the Mahindra for sure. And I do see now what you guys mean about whiney tractors. Hydro does sound weird.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Well, yesterday I did take a look at the 1526 Mahindra and the RK 37, since we have both a Mahindra dealer and rural king about a hour away. I really liked the Mahindra as far as decent size and build. But it is so much smaller I question the stability of the thing once you pick up a bale to move. Sadly, the dealer had closed early for the holiday and I couldn't test drive it. I looked at the rural king 37 mainly as a lark, but I had to admit it was 11 hp more, a tad taller and beefier, and basically the same money. I have no doubt it would have no problem at all with round bales. If you wanted to add options like a backhoe or a cab, the cost savings blow the comparable hp sized Mahinda out of the water. In fact while we stood there sweating in 90 degree heat I saw him eyeballing that air conditioned cab a bit too much, ha! SO I found my tractor, right? Eh, not sure. These haven't been around long enough for me to find many reviews from people using them long term. I mean do they fall apart in 4 years? I know neither of us was impressed the hydraulic lines are on the outside of the loader where they run down and swing under right next to the cab by the step bar..um, how hard would it have been to put it on the inside of the frame to protect them? Or maybe a small shield if nothing else? And the back side where the rear pto is had turnbuckles, and I know they are a pain in the you know what when they get old and rusted or otherwise stuck. it just makes me wonder when they do something cheap or dumb that a noob like me can pick out what else might be a bad idea that I have no clue about. I did see that morgan guys video reviews and they are impressive, but I have yet to see either of these tractors take a hill carrying anything or take a hill period. Even if I only feed on the flat I would like to know before plunking down all that money what else it can do. These videos always seem to be on flat ground.. I'm gonna go back and drive the Mahindra for sure. And I do see now what you guys mean about whiney tractors. Hydro does sound weird.

If you end up being comfortable with the 1526, then load the tires and if you still are not comfortable handling the bales, get a 3pt weight box so that you are still short and compact for grabbing the bales in the barn. The tractor will pick up that 900lb bale with ease.

 

[LouNY]

Id really like something smaller and easier to maneuver, as well as less compaction to the ground in the winter mud/freeze. the ruts that thing makes are enormous.

From your first post, I don't know how your winter weather is down there.
I do know that our winter feed lots get quite muddy, sloppy and low traction when they are not froze.
When froze they will have soft spots that will be fairly deep and the ruts can be quite deep.
The 1526 looks like it has the strength to lift a bale on the front and the rear so you could carry two bales at a time.
My concern would be the size of the front tires (small) falling into frozen ruts and the severe impact to the front axle components while doing so.
Drop that small tire in frozen rut that's a foot deep it will really bounce that tractor around and carrying a bale while doing so will stress that small tractor.
Good luck with your winter feeding, it is so much fun :confused2:

 

[WVfarmin]

Lol thanks. I'm glad no ones been ribbing me on wanting a smaller hst. I'm not some pampered chick who doesn't want to get dirty or work. My spouse has just always done the tractor work just like I've always castrated the pigs. Our division of labor has always worked, but his new job threw a wrench in it and when he will be gone there is literally no one around who could help if I got into trouble with the equipment. I've been practicing on the 6530 in first gear on the flattest spot we have. And first gear is prob. Where I'll stay. But maneuvering with the spear and a bale in the barn will take some skills. The ruts are a concern , you are right, they can get ankle snap deep. We've thought about a smaller tractor for some time just for maneuverability reasons. If we get one I'll be sure to let everyone know what we chose and how we like it after it has a few hours on it. This forum is really a wealth of knowledge

 

[4570Man]

What about a bigger barn?

 

[WVfarmin]

:laughing::laughing:the pole barn is big, the pole post width is not, and the tractor tires are moved ALL the way out so we don't roll off our hills here.

 

[AndyMA]

Hi,
Due to a change in my husbands work, this winter I will be tasked with putting out round bales for our cattle. Our rounds are prob 800-900 lbs dry. I have to confess I am terrified of his 6530 Mahindra. Its huge, has gears and levers sticking out everywhere, and as soon as you let off the clutch you are moving. Yes, I know, I'm a wimp. But the fact our barn has literally inches between the pole beams and the rear wheels requires one to be really good spearing and taking out bales. I have visions of me taking out the barn at 1mph....until he got used to the tractor, HE took out a few posts...ahem. needless to say, while that tractor is awesome for brushogging fields fast and heavy work, Id really like something smaller and easier to maneuver, as well as less compaction to the ground in the winter mud/freeze. the ruts that thing makes are enormous. There are a few 3010 kubotas in our area but I wonder if they can lift a larger round bale without falling over on their nose, esp since our are stacked. I also am considering a smaller Mahindra, like a 1526, but again, wonder if it is too small. I basically don't want to spend a ton on a second tractor, and we don't need another beast tractor, but just one big enough to put out hay and do the lighter easier work and be hydrostatic so I have less to freak out over when I am by myself.. I also would not mind helping hubby brushog, two tractors would make shorter work of it. We live in WV and NOTHING is flat. So it is a big learning and confidence curve for me ..oh and my day job is in a hospital where I see all the guys who flip their tractors...every year at least 2-3.......so I come by my wimpiness honest. Thanks!

Kubota MX series would do fine.

Andy

 

[Turbys_1700]

What is the spacing of your poles in the barn? I am assuming 8'? I apologize if this has been identified earlier?