Small round baler?

[CDN Farm Boy]

Thanks for the input guys.

When I asked the question, I had no idea that you could get 2x2 round balers. I don't see the point and would never use one but it does answer my question. Certainly learned something new.

I know it's alot of tying compared to bigger bales but I'm limited to what my loader can pickup as I have no intention of upgrading anytime soon. Small square still makes more sense for my purposes but I don't want to set myself up for failure with not having anyone around to help with baling and bringing them in. I'd only be looking at a few acres at most to bale.

2x2 = 6.3 cu ft
3x3 = 21.2 cu ft
3x4 = 37.7 cu ft
4x4 = 50.3 cu ft

The 3x4 or 4x4 make the most sense volume wise.

Still need to find the model # of that JD 3x4, when I search I keep getting 3x4 square results.

Do you guys think my B3300 will easily move 4x4s? I know my previous NH TC23 moved 4x5s without issue but I'd guess it had more loader than this 'bota even with it being a smaller machine.

 

[dan28040]

Your current tractor should move the 4x4 with no problems

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Any idea what those weigh? Like can you pick them up with the L3400?

I just picked one up with the L3400 3pt hitch the other night to prove to my wife that she can feed them. We dont have a QA for the loader, so i'm still debating on using the slip on spear or making one or converting to QA. They are really not that heavy though. I would say not more than 500lbs? Never weighed one though. My "E" will throw them around without any counterweight at all and feels fine if that helps any? The Bota has loaded rears r-4's so that may make a difference. I know I would not be moving them around without a counterweight of another bale or something with the loader. The loader that is on there now will pick the rear end up off the ground if your not careful. In the winter time (we have some serious hills that I have to chain up on to get around) I'll be using the bigger tractor just for the safety factor and it has the heater!

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Thanks, if figured I'd be fine on moving them but easy enough to ask.

Definitely going to be a try before I buy on a baler though.

I've seen some used 4x4 balers advertised at local dealers saying "low power input" or "good for compact tractor". Am I realistic to think that I'd be able to run one of these smaller balers with my tractor? It would only be a few (less than 20) acres of mostly flat land

 

[slowzuki]

Kubota L5030HSTC, it handled the little ih/hesston rounds 2 at a time with nothing on the 3pt hitch.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Thanks for the pics. I'm now confident that I'll be able to move them just fine

The field next to me has some 4x5 straw so I went to pick one up just to see how it felt. I know straw is much lighter than hay but hey, they were just sitting there begging me to try. In all honesty, it felt no different than when I picked up my regular bucket with the tips of the forks hooked on the back side of the top lip. I think it even bounced a little when I tipped the forks up and they hit the stop.

I got to start taking the camera out with me occasionally on the tractor, I sat down to type this and :banghead: Why didn't I think of the camera???

Slowzuki, did you used to live up here some where (I think towards TO) with a white panel/yellow tube buggy?

 

[slowzuki]

Nope, but there are a few slowzuki's out there. I've seen the plate in at least 2 provinces but the one in BC was on a motorbike.

 

[Depmandog]

I grew up in north Missouri, and during my teens back in the 70's, we spent all summer bucking small round bales that came out of the Allis Chalmers Roto-Baler.





Most of the time, the bales would be in the 60 pound range, but could vary up to 100 pounds. They were twine tied (more like twine wrapped), so the hay hook was the method of handling.

Me and a buddy would load both sides of the wagon until the hay way about 8' off the ground. He would crawl up top, and I would buck them up to him and he would stack. Then off to the barns to unload. The farmers "hired" hand who was pushing 80 was the designated driver.

We would start at daybreak and work till noon. The farmers wife would put a spread on for lunch that always had two if not three types of meat. HUGE lunch. After lunch, we would lay around the front porch digesting - then back for a couple more loads in the afternoon. A good day was 900 bales. I think we got paid 7 cents a bale - we split it. He usually had 10,000 bales and was our "biggest and best" client.

Sorry to reminisce...but talking small round bales took me back to some good memories of some hard and hot work!