Moving round bales with the BX2370

[bunyip]

It can be done!!
With the forks on the bucket I can get under the bale and tilt back slightly, the forks then act like a sled across the paddocks, 4WD is a must as the back wheels come up sometimes but overall low and slow gets us there without incident, apart from being harassed by hungry horses.

 

[EddieWalker]

Is that the smallest tractor made along with the tiniest round bale ever baled?

When my tractor isn't running, I buy a round bale from the feed store and they load it into the back of my truck, then I roll it out of my truck into the pasture.

 

[bunyip]

The 18 is smaller, we have a hay shed full of round bales about 4' instead of the standard 5', stacked 3 high we push them of, tip them over with the forks then slide them out, they weigh about 300kg plus the 4 in 1 bucket and the forks, it doesn't struggle and is the only way I can get them out rather than rolling them, we take the wraqp off when it arrives and put a feed net over them so the horses don't destroy and scatter it everywhere.

 

[dragoneggs]

And if you had forks directly attached to the FEL instead of hanging off your bucket, you would have a heck lot more of lift!

 

[Wagtail]

And if you had forks directly attached to the FEL instead of hanging off your bucket, you would have a heck lot more of lift!

True.

And I'd lower the counterweight on the 3PH to mid so that it hangs out a wee bit more.

 

[bunyip]

I use the forks to move pallets around with bits and pieces as well as 1000 litre water tanks (empty), they cost about $200, I cannot justify a set of dedicated forks.
We have just sold our property and will be buying a bigger tractor when we move but that is another can of worms as I have no idea what to get as yet but it will need to be able to lift round bales, full size to store them when we cut hay.

 

[Wagtail]

I use the forks to move pallets around with bits and pieces as well as 1000 litre water tanks (empty), they cost about $200, I cannot justify a set of dedicated forks.
We have just sold our property and will be buying a bigger tractor when we move but that is another can of worms as I have no idea what to get as yet but it will need to be able to lift round bales, full size to store them when we cut hay.

Great news on the property sale! :thumbsup:

You're probably looking at a high 30 to low 40hp tractor to handle full rounds. Mine is a 41hp and I've no problem with a 6x5 round (slowly). Mind you, I can only stack two high due to the reach of my FEL.

 

[Hay Dude]

Kind of wonder about front axle stresses from overloading like that

 

[Tx Jim]

Kind of wonder about front axle stresses from overloading like that

Having ""adequate counterweight on 3 pt hitch"" greatly reduces stress & wear on frt axle when handling heavy loads with frt end loader.

 

[George the Beagle]

Kind of wonder about front axle stresses from overloading like that

If the loader can lift it then it's not overloaded.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

You all probably already know better, but something learned the hard (scary) way...

My '24 loader will hold up more than it can lift. Dug a big stump with a wide set of roots that I couldn't lift but could raise part way and drag. Dragged over a dip in the ground. Loader didn't sink with the load and suddenly we had weight off the ground to one side and a pivoting front axle. Yow. Got it dumped and didn't go over and maybe wouldn't have all the way - but it did require a change of undergarments.

sadder but wiser,
Z.

 

[bunyip]

We are pretty flat except for a few drains which I avoid, as stated it is being 'slid' around so unlikely that it is going to tip.
The BX also has a very low centre of gravity but I am not one to take chances and risk injury to myself or my wallet by tipping it over.
The forks get used a lot for moving fence posts around, not heavy but too long to fit in the bucket, also pallets of bits and pieces that need moving from place to place and left for a while, once again not heavy but beats using a wheelbarrow.

 

[Hay Dude]

Make sure your tires are inflated to the point where they’re not having the sidewalks squishing out. When the sidewalls bulge out a lot, it can damage the inside of the tire. Tire will look fine. You won’t know it until it blows out.

 

[bunyip]

They are not but thanks for the insight, I'm using industrials (R4?)

 

[dragoneggs]

We are pretty flat except for a few drains which I avoid, as stated it is being 'slid' around so unlikely that it is going to tip.
The BX also has a very low centre of gravity but I am not one to take chances and risk injury to myself or my wallet by tipping it over.
The forks get used a lot for moving fence posts around, not heavy but too long to fit in the bucket, also pallets of bits and pieces that need moving from place to place and left for a while, once again not heavy but beats using a wheelbarrow.

First thing I learned... slow and low. Don't be in a hurry, that's usually when **** happens.

 

[RickB]

Kind of wonder about front axle stresses from overloading like that

If the loader can lift it then it's not overloaded.

No doubt the funniest thing I have read today, George.