Moving round bales with B Series Tractors

[davatk]

Hello all,

Would like some advice on what implements I could purchase to move round bales with a B2630. Specifically, something to attach to the front end loader and 3 point hitch. I won't be doing a lot of this, but would be nice to be able to lift some bales to stack them 2 high, and to be able to transport 2 bales at once (one front and one rear) for relatively short distances during haymaking time.

I don't have a welder (yet ) so I don't really have the do it your self option at this time.

Thanks much for any advice !

Dave

 

[captin_insano]

I dont think your going to do it. A round bale weighs what, 800-1200 lbs? The weight is extended out away from the piviot pins 4-5 feet too so the leverage will make it seem even heavier. You may be able to move them with the 3 point but its asking alot of the machine and putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.

 

[kcook]

Hello all,

Would like some advice on what implements I could purchase to move round bales with a B2630. Specifically, something to attach to the front end loader and 3 point hitch. I won't be doing a lot of this, but would be nice to be able to lift some bales to stack them 2 high, and to be able to transport 2 bales at once (one front and one rear) for relatively short distances during haymaking time.

I don't have a welder (yet ) so I don't really have the do it your self option at this time.

Thanks much for any advice !

Dave

How much do they weigh?

KC

 

[captin_insano]

depending how tight, a round bale can weigh a ton or so. I think my 8-1200 would be the absolute lightest you would find but I could be wrong.

 

[3BPercherons]

Too many unknown variables, davatk. What size rolls would you be moving? What type of hay? How tightly packed? Stored inside or out? Depending on the answers, weights can range from under 500# to over 2000#.

With that said, I believe the LA403 loader is rated to around 800# at the bucket, so if you're just talking about 4x5 rolls of grass then yes, you should be able to move them. Anything bigger would probably be iffy.

 

[RickB]

The physical size and nominal weight of even smallish round bales will preclude you from stacking them two high safely with a B-Series Kubota, or any other CUT of similar size. Even if you can lift the bales, you are asking for a side rollover due to the width of the load and narrowness of the tractor.

 

[Bird]

I've moved some round bales with both my B7100 and my B2710 with the FEL. I drive up against the bale with the FEL bucket down low, then when contact was made, I'd raise the bucket at the same time I drove slowly forward, and rolled the bale along in front of me. And that was the only way I could do it, too. No way either of those tractors could lift 5' x 5' round bales.

 

[3BPercherons]

Handling round bales is one of the major reasons I'm trading my B7800 for an M6040. That, and the ability to comfortably pull a 7' rotary mower up and down hills.

 

[wlk]

My MX5100 with loaded rears is about as small as I would want to get for stacking. I normally hay 5'x5' bales over the fence with my loader to avoid rutting up the paddock. Never had any hesitation lifting, but even with the loaded rears and a 6' box on the 3-point the rear can feel a little light.

 

[canoetrpr]

I don't have a B but have an L3400. The FEL capacity is not much higher than that of some of the B's - about 1100 lb. However the frame is quite a bit bigger and I'll bet this makes a huge difference.

I wasn't sure how mine would do with stacking. It handles them like a champ. I have loaded tires and a heavy implement (or another bale) at the back. I can stack 4x4's 3 high and 5x4's two high. I have not tried 5x5 but I think 5x5 and 5x6 would be pushing it on this size tractor. I will stick with 4x4 or 4x5 as they are readily available here (although for a ridiculous price!)

 

[davatk]

Thanks to all for your respnses. Sounds like it may not be possible. I'm not sure how big these bales are, never had a reason to measure them before. but I would suspect 4x5. I also don't know the weight. I was hoping someone else was doing this with one of the larger B's already and could give some advice. Anyhow keep the responses coming, good info either way.

 

[jdavis7399]

You should be able to use a bumper pull single bale trailer. I have used one to move and feed 1400 pound 5x6s with an RTV900 without any problems. The trailer axel supports most of the weight. There is some work cranking the bale up and down. Bale trailers can usually be found for $500 to $1000.

 

[techguy2]

You should be able to use a bumper pull single bale trailer. I have used one to move and feed 1400 pound 5x6s with an RTV900 without any problems. The trailer axel supports most of the weight. There is some work cranking the bale up and down. Bale trailers can usually be found for $500 to $1000.

That was going to by my question as well. Many farmers in my area use these....

 

[powerpace]

I use a B3200 Spear attached to the FEL bucket. I have no problem lifting 4X5 850 pound bales. I winter feed about 40 bales. Loaded rears and Box Blade. Always travel bale low and never on a slope. Sometimes the clay mud reaches the front axel.

 

[Dusty1]

Heard a guy on here with a B3030 used a spear to move the round bales too. It can be done but I don't know how apt they are to handle it constantly.

 

[niemeyjt]

How about a different approach?

You do not say where bales come from - are you making them with another tractor or are they ready made?

Anyway, instead of buying / making large round bales, why not make smaller ones with your tractor? Wolvo and Star to name two do a small round baler. There are numerous square balers - e.g. Galliagni.

You may be able to get a flat 8 to work as well to reduce handling.

J

 

[texasjohn]

Priefert makes a wheeled bale buggy. It is a bumper/draw bar pull.... thus functions behind pickup or tractor. Back up to a bale, slip forks under it, pull rope on lever and drive forward. bale lifts up into the cradle of the buggy, off of the wheels. Now, it is a trailer and you can take anywhere at highway speeds. This would be the safest way to handle round bales of various sizes and weights with smaller tractor... it will handle a 6' heavy bale if pickup/tractor get traction in slippery conditions. No problem when dry.

 

[davatk]

I use a B3200 Spear attached to the FEL bucket. I have no problem lifting 4X5 850 pound bales. I winter feed about 40 bales. Loaded rears and Box Blade. Always travel bale low and never on a slope. Sometimes the clay mud reaches the front axel.

Hi Powerspace,

Do you have any pics that you could share of the tractor carrying a bale ?

Also, where did you get your spear, and how is it mouinted ? I'd be curious to see a pick of the setup that you've got.

Thanks !

 

[davatk]

How about a different approach?

You do not say where bales come from - are you making them with another tractor or are they ready made?

Anyway, instead of buying / making large round bales, why not make smaller ones with your tractor? Wolvo and Star to name two do a small round baler. There are numerous square balers - e.g. Galliagni.

You may be able to get a flat 8 to work as well to reduce handling.

J

These bales are made by another tractor/baler. Actually this is for my Dad's farm and cattle. During the hay season he moves the hay from the field to various locations around the farm, for storage till winter. It would be good to be able to help him, and also stack them 2 high if possible. He currently only has a small Ferguson with pallet forks on the back, not a 4x4. Also in winter, he basically has to get someone with a 4x4 to feed for him when it snows very deep.

My guess is the bales are 4x5 (round) and probably weigh about 850-1,000 lbs depending on the moisture content at the time.

 

[magicheater]

Although you may be able to lift the bales with the "B" and carefully move them, doing what you describe clearly calls for a larger tractor with the bale weight being mid range of the loader capacity. I always put wider tires on my loader tractors for increased flotation with load and slightly better stability. Remember that your loader is a lever attached to your tractor and the more weight you have in the bucket and the higher you have it with the addition of speed and/or momentum it can be a recipe for disaster. I have some pics somewhere that graphically show this, I'll post when I locate the card.