Moving large round bales 6' x 4'

[barbea]

Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

I am new to this board and am looking for tips and
suggestions for size of tractor to move and lift heavy bales
into feeders?
I have 2 appx 30 x 100' garden areas and 3 acres of mowing
with lots of obsticals to go around a small apple orchard of 16 trees. I have 4 acres fenced and am clearing some land to fence 15 more acres. I will need to move a bale from barn
to pasture every 2 weeks thru winter. I have 5 miniature cows and live in Northern lower Michigan. I wonder is it possible to get something as versitile to do all of these things.
I was thinking a a 3 pt tiller this walk behind is not getting
the job done quick enough. Any thoughts or suggestions
appreciated. Thanks in advance. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

I move large round bales on the rear of my 4310 without any trouble at all. To lift bales up front, I can only handle small rounds (4'x5')

Seems that with miniatures. the smaller bales would be plenty, and be easier to handle.

The 32Hp size is a great do big jobs in tight areas size. Going smaller won't handle ANY bales. If larger will fit where you need to go, you wouldn't be sorry going up to ~45Hp

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

I can do it with my John Deere 4600 but I sure wouldn't recommend it. To safely do it and be within the parameters of the tractor you are going to need a utility size tractor in the 50-70 hp range.

 

[barbea]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

I have to use this size bale as it is most convienent to get
it from my neighbor and its the actually 5 x 4 now that I think
about it as I have room around my 6 ft ring.
That's quite a jump in HP and would be to big most likely
for garden tilling ect around the yard. Not to mention the
price difference. How are the John deer's in comparison to price to the Kabota's.
Last year I fed sm square bales and too much work stacking
ect.... want as hassel free as possible.

 

[barbea]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

I didn't think about using the rear, what attachment would I
need to do that? Would I need weight on the front or would a loader provide enough.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

ok, that sounds like a small round bale. Deere has a bale spear for the midchassis, that will handle those. But you have to be very careful whrn dealing with round bales, lotsa folks end up squished. The tractor needs proper ballast (like weight in the tires and on the rear. A bale on the rear is pretty effective.) You have to carry the bales low, a chuckhole could flip you in an instant.

I am referencing Deere, as to that is what I am using for similar tasks. There are many options. As to Deere vs. Kubota pricing, really depends. In some areas Kubota is lower, others its Deere.

 

[Bird]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

Barbea, I've moved 5 x 5 round bales on the back (3-point) of tractors in two ways. We used some homemade forks, similar to the carry all that Tractor Supply Co. sells, but much stronger, made from 2" pipe. But the best way, if you have rear hydraulic remotes, was using a Hay King spear because it had a hydraulic cylinder that would tilt the spear up or down as well as being able to raise or lower the entire unit with the 3-point. I've used both those ways on an 85hp Oliver, and used the forks on the Oliver as well as a 50hp White. Another neighbor used the same Hay King brand spear on his 100hp Deere.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

You need a loader up front, that is a given!!

Priefert 3 point Bale Spike

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

You would be fine with the 5x4 bales with a tractor like mine. Those bales usually are in the 1000-1500 range and I can easily handle them. Mine is a compact tractor with around 40 pto hp. Any other brand in that 40 pto hp should be fine as well.

As far as pricing I can get deere way cheaper than kubota. As rockyridge said other places kubota is cheaper.

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Moving large round bales 6\' x 4\'

With the rear attachment you won't be able to lift them up and drop them in the ring feeder.