Moving Round Bales

TS_Scout · Dec 30, 2005

What would be the minimum size yanmar to lift and move the large round bales with a 3 point bale spear

JAK · Dec 30, 2005

I have a 1700, I can stab the bale and start to lift and the front end just comes off the ground. I have no weights on front and I dont know how much weight it would take to balance the tractor. but even with weights I dont know if it would be good on the tractor to lift it, those bales Im working with are about 1200 lbs. I think Ive seen on this form that the lifting capabilities on a 1700 are 750 or 800 pounds.

greatrandini · Dec 30, 2005

JIMB111 uses a 3110 to do some limited moving of round bales. Ask him how that is working out!

Forester102 · Dec 31, 2005

YM 226D 27 hp I move 600-800 lbs (4-5') round bales. Gave up the spear and just use forks on my bucket I found it easier for me and I can stack them higher.

hudr · Dec 31, 2005

If you are talking about the 6X6 round bales, I would venture at LEAST a 50hp and would suggest 55-60hp model. I have a 50hp Mahindra and the 6x6 bales of bermuda we put up are at the ragged edge of its envelope when they are first baled. As they age and dry out they get easier to handle.

normde2001 · Dec 31, 2005

I think most bales are 800-1200#, and I would want at least a 3,000# tractor to handle them without too much strain.

lens12 · Dec 31, 2005

I have 1000 lb round bales. I move them on the 3 point of a YM330d with loader. I have some stalk bales made with a newer baler that probably weigh 1500 lb. I have to put something in the bucket to move them. I just put a mover on a YM276d & it took 300 lbs of front end weights to keep the front wheels on the ground with the lighter bales. I don't recommend moving them with a loader very far or over rough ground unless you have a big tractor. I have a JD2030(65 hp) that I use a spike on the loader. I 've broke several spindles mainly when backing & turning to quickly.

5030 · Dec 31, 2005

I wish I had a picture of this, but I moved and staked chopped corn stalk bales with my M9000 this fall. The bales were 4x5 around 1200 pounds each. I had one on the rear spear and 2 on the front....one each on each fork of the pallet forks stabbed right through the middle. The tractor rode like a Caddy across the no till. I despise chopped corn stalk fields. That is about the dirtiest work at harvest time. Not for an open station machine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mickey_Fx · Jan 1, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( YM 226D 27 hp I move 600-800 lbs (4-5') round bales. Gave up the spear and just use forks on my bucket I found it easier for me and I can stack them higher. )</font>

What kind of ballast do you have on that tractor? Mine is sim in size and I wouldn't even attempt to lift something that heavy.

When I made my bucket forks I put about 500# a couple ft out on the forks for a test and it almost had the back end off the ground and my tires are liquid filled. In addition the rated capacity of both front tires is only 900#. I bet you have the front end of your tractor way over loaded.

normde2001 · Jan 1, 2006

"YM 226D 27 hp I move 600-800 lbs (4-5') round bales."

I believe the YM226D is more like 22 HP. US versions, such as yours, use the 1st 2 digits as engine HP, minus about 20% for pto HP. Grays use 1st 2 digits as pto HP, plus about 20% as engine HP.