Mow, Rake & Round Bale with 40 HP.

HayDR · Jun 30, 2003

That's like saying what size tractor doe it take to dig a hole with a PHD? Most 40 HP tractors weigh between 4,000-6000 LBS. I've seen a good operator use a 3500LB 40 hp tractor and get the job done but I've also seen some operators that just could not handle a baler with any size tractor.

cowboydoc · Jun 30, 2003

Personally unless you were haying on absolutely completely level ground I wouldn't even think about haying 1200 lb. bales with anything less than a 7or 8k tractor. I know you can do it with less but if you get on any kind of a hill at all and have to drop a bale you will be pretty happy you had the extra tractor.

Woodbeef · Jun 30, 2003

Hey CCI,

Nice defelction of the question there. Don't know about you,but I'd never put the size of tractor needed to safely run a post hole auger in the same size class as to safely run a 4x5 round baler. I'd also certainly not try to run that Vermeer with only 3500lbs of tractor,even on level ground. I might be considered certifiably crazy in certain jurisdictions,but I sure would not attempt do that with such a small tractor!!

cowboydoc · Jun 30, 2003

That is one of the things that I like about Deere. They have all of their equipment matched to the different tractors. Even if you don't like deere you can still get the brochure for the hp tractor you have and see what they say you can run.

HayDR · Jun 30, 2003

Most of our customers using Vermeer 5x4 balers have tractors like these:
NH:3600,3910,4600,3930,4630,5030,TN55,TN65,TN75
JD:2040,2240,2155,2355,2555,2755,5200,5300,5400,6100, 6200
MF:165,240s,255, 265,275,285,375,385,451,461,471
Kubota:4900,5900, 5030
Kioti: DK55,DK65

All of these tractors weigh from 4000-6000 lbs. The full bale tongue weight is about 1200-1500 Lbs. We have thousands of customers baling hay with Vermeer balers today using the above tractors. Our customer are in the mountains and we have nothing but hills here. I guess that we are just better operators down here, but that's not the case. I can name 50 more Vermeer dealers all over the USA that have the same clientele situations as we do.