need advice on tractor to run a small baler

[baldwinkw]

Hi all. I recently looked at a 2008 Case IH JX 1060c. I am told that this machine has 45 hp PTO. Does anyone have any experience with this machine and will 45 hp PTO be sufficent to run a small baler. Thanks in advance

 

[flusher]

Hi all. I recently looked at a 2008 Case IH JX 1060c. I am told that this machine has 45 hp PTO. Does anyone have any experience with this machine and will 45 hp PTO be sufficent to run a small baler. Thanks in advance

That CIH has similar pto hp spec to my Mahindra 5525 (it's about 1000 lb heavier that the 5525). I run a Massey Ferguson 124 square baler (14"x18", 36"-50"L bales) with no problem. MF recommends 35 pto hp for the 124.

 

[baldwinkw]

Thanks for your input Flusher. I am still considering the JX 1060 but also looking at the larger JX95.

 

[zzvyb6]

I've run a "small baler" with a Yanmar 226D (20? hp) and without live power. Power is not that important unless you are pulling wagons behind it and/or running up and down hills. Self powered balers had only about 16hp on board. Weight is a better measure, with driveline and hitch tighntess being there too.

 

[Tongy]

I have been using a Ford Jubilee (about 30hp) for about 6-7 years now. I try to keep the windrows fairly small so it doesn't clog up. That Ford is pretty light, so it rocks you back and forth pretty good. When I stop in the row, I try to run all the hay through so I am not starting up with the pickup full of hay.

The Ford is for sale and this year will be using the new (used) MF 1540 which is a lot heavier and more power, so will see how that works.

 

[scrapironford]

Most any 45 pto hp tractor will run a 3x4,4x4 and some 4x5 round balers and all except the high capacity square balers (NH 575 ect). I square baled this year using a Ford 2000 diesel ,32 pto hp,with an old NH baler and it done a good job. I can see no good reason to use my 100+ hp tractors on a small baler,round or square. scrapironford

 

[Aqualize]

The JX 1060c will be enough. It will not run every small square baler on the market but there are a lot (most?) both used and new that it will run with ease.
The JX95 (80 PTO HP) is overkill for this job.

John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland (only the smallest model) all specifies 35 PTO HP for there small square balers.
I've an old Welger AP41 (don't know if they ever been marketed in the USA so you perhaps not know of them) that requires "30-40 hp".

 

[DanD78]

Like said earlier you will have the horse power but you need he weight and traction if working on any hills. We pull a rack wagon behind the baler. It can raise your pucker point when the outfit starts pushing you down a hill and you have the brakes locked up. We use a 606 IH utility with loaed ag tires and have to watch what we are doing. We have never spun out going up hill just pushed going down.

Dan

 

[JoeinTX]

True, Dan, but you seem to running a pretty old and rather small baler. What model is it?

So many of the "small" square balers available today are a little beafier and heavier than that. Most all of the current makers in the small square biz suggest no less than 35 PTO, which means around 45 engine HP, to operate their rigs.

A baler, round or square, is not an implement I want to put too little tractor in front of since operating them is not necessarily about HP or speed.......but the ability to sustain the forces of the baler back toward the tractor.

 

[flusher]

True, Dan, but you seem to running a pretty old and rather small baler. What model is it?

So many of the "small" square balers available today are a little beafier and heavier than that. Most all of the current makers in the small square biz suggest no less than 35 PTO, which means around 45 engine HP, to operate their rigs.

A baler, round or square, is not an implement I want to put too little tractor in front of since operating them is not necessarily about HP or speed.......but the ability to sustain the forces of the baler back toward the tractor.

Amen to that. My Mahindra 5525 weighs well over 5000 lb and, when that MF124 plunger is cranking, I know from what my butt cheeks are telling me that the baler is back there trying to tear itself apart.