Towing a small square baler

[gekog]

Hi all. I have searched the threads and I haven't found any answers to my specific question. I did learn quite a bit though.

I am looking at buying a used baler. New Holland 320. I know that normal baler tires are not meant for towing on the highway at higher speeds - especially for longer distances. I am wondering if I would be ok if I bought two new high speed rated radial tires for it? The 320 is only 1500.00 so I could see an investment in a couple of tires as being ok. I could likely sell them once I get home.

Thoughts Please!!!

Also, does anyone know the width from the outside of one tire to the outside of the other on these balers? If I could fit it on a trailer, I would rather go that way.

Thanks
gekog

 

[Diamondpilot]

Why not just take a trailer and winch it up on it. Then there are no worries. My concern would be the bearings and how it trails more than the tires. I really think it would not be wise to tow it long distances at any speed due to the way it may wig and wag.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

Hi all. I have searched the threads and I haven't found any answers to my specific question. I did learn quite a bit though.

I am looking at buying a used baler. New Holland 320. I know that normal baler tires are not meant for towing on the highway at higher speeds - especially for longer distances. I am wondering if I would be ok if I bought two new high speed rated radial tires for it? The 320 is only 1500.00 so I could see an investment in a couple of tires as being ok. I could likely sell them once I get home.

Thoughts Please!!!

Also, does anyone know the width from the outside of one tire to the outside of the other on these balers? If I could fit it on a trailer, I would rather go that way.

Thanks
gekog

How old are the tire on it and how far do you plan to tow it?

If the tires on the baler are in decent shape there is no reason you can't tow it as is.

 

[RickB]

How old are the tire on it and how far do you plan to tow it?

If the tires on the baler are in decent shape there is no reason you can't tow it as is.

That baler has tapered roller bearings in the hubs just like the trailer some would have you load it on. Decent implement tires won't fail at reasonable implement towing speeds. There's no reason not to drop a pin in it and tow it, unless you need to travel on interstate highways.

 

[gekog]

I would be towing it on highways at 50-60mph for about 500 miles. That's why I wondered about the tires and whether or not they could take tose speeds or whether I could do those speeds if I bought new radial tires.

It sounds like the tires that come with these balers would be fine if the bearings are lubed and the tire pressure is set correctly.

I just towed a New Holland bale wagon on the same route and the whole trip was perfect. I was averaging 55-60mph all the way.

 

[Mace Canute]

Considering the age of the 320 hayliner, if you decide to tow it, putting new tires on it would be a very good decision. The tires might be original equipment and regardless of how good they look on the outside, it's pretty well impossible to check how good the internal structure is...might be good, might be rotten and might be anything in between. (A friend bought a 268 hayliner a couple of years ago and it did have the original tires on it. I towed it home behind my truck for him and made it ok, but I went slow, around 35 mph max and only 25 miles.) Heat generated by the flexing of (mainly) the tire sidewall causes a lot of tire damage so don't be scared to run maximum air pressure. Also, it might not hurt to do a good inspection of the wheel bearings, maybe even a repacking of them. Not that hard to do and it could save you tons of grief. As far as the width from the outside of one tire to the outside of the other, I couldn't find the exact measurement but I did find some specifications in a pdf at http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/eng3050/$FILE/136.pdf Good luck!

 

[kebo]

If you do wind up towing it that far, I would have to check the bearings and pack them with grease before towing. Always good to know they are in good shape BEFORE you hit the road, rather than after you leave out.

 

[some zilch]

500 miles at 50+mph seems a bit excessive for a low speed farm implement. i towed a windrower 120 miles once at no more than 40mph, and it was fine, but i wouldnt go 50+mph for any length of time, much less 500 miles

 

[Diamondpilot]

500 miles at 50+mph seems a bit excessive for a low speed farm implement. i towed a windrower 120 miles once at no more than 40mph, and it was fine, but i wouldnt go 50+mph for any length of time, much less 500 miles

I agree. Just seems safer and easier to just take a trailer and load it up. You can then go over everything including the bearings and tires this winter once you get home.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

500 miles at 50+mph seems a bit excessive for a low speed farm implement. i towed a windrower 120 miles once at no more than 40mph, and it was fine, but i wouldnt go 50+mph for any length of time, much less 500 miles

Really what is the difference though? If it made it the first 120 it would make it the rest of the way.

 

[flusher]

Hi all. I have searched the threads and I haven't found any answers to my specific question. I did learn quite a bit though.

I am looking at buying a used baler. New Holland 320. I know that normal baler tires are not meant for towing on the highway at higher speeds - especially for longer distances. I am wondering if I would be ok if I bought two new high speed rated radial tires for it? The 320 is only 1500.00 so I could see an investment in a couple of tires as being ok. I could likely sell them once I get home.

Thoughts Please!!!

Also, does anyone know the width from the outside of one tire to the outside of the other on these balers? If I could fit it on a trailer, I would rather go that way.

Thanks
gekog

My MF124 is a small square baler--100" wide (8ft 4in), weighs 3060 lb, overall length is 16'2".

You probably could back it onto a 104" wide over-the-wheels flatbed trailer with a few inches to spare side-to-side (I couldn't do it--I'd have that baler slipping off the deck for sure--but someone with more experience and a steadier hand could load it on a flatbed without doubt) .

I towed that 124 home from the Seller's place behind my F150 (about 30 miles on the back roads, speed 25 mph tops).



The baler was in excellent shape (the Seller baled on his 30 acres the day before I bought it), the rubber looked good and he said he thought the wheel bearings were OK. But I took it easy anyway.

I've seen balers like mine behind pickups going down Hwy 99 (2 lanes) at 50 mph or so several times.

Be sure to swing the tongue/hitch in the transport position. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Really what is the difference though? If it made it the first 120 it would make it the rest of the way.

Not sure about that. I have had bearings and tires fail in less than a mile and have also have had them go out after nearly 750 miles. I have customers who get 90% of the way to where they are going and have a issue. My last major issue I towed a 3 year old boat back from GA and made it all but 70 miles and had 3 flats in a 40 mile stretch on a Sunday evening. Try finding tires then. No rhyme or reason but preventive maintenance is the key to limiting the risks.

Chris

 

[steve08]

No Way would I pull/bounce a square baler that far... Dunno how they compare far as size, but a New Holland 430 I hualed in a couple years ago, with the Wheels off, hung over about 12" each side of a 8'-6" Deck over trailer.

 

[Duffster]

Not sure about that. I have had bearings and tires fail in less than a mile and have also have had them go out after nearly 750 miles. I have customers who get 90% of the way to where they are going and have a issue. My last major issue I towed a 3 year old boat back from GA and made it all but 70 miles and had 3 flats in a 40 mile stretch on a Sunday evening. Try finding tires then. No rhyme or reason but preventive maintenance is the key to limiting the risks.

Chris

That is kind of my point.

Distance plays no real factor in deciding to tow it IMO.

 

[some zilch]

That is kind of my point.

Distance plays no real factor in deciding to tow it IMO.

but speed does, especially when they are not designed for freeway speeds. i'll tow anything any distance at a reasonable speed; but a hay baler is not made to go 500 miles at 50+mph..........

i guess you keep missing the mention of towing a farm implement, with no suspension, no brakes, off-road tires, low speed spindles, etc at highway speeds. i would assume that the baler is also over the legal width of road legal vehicle, and therefore is an "oversize load". i am going to also assume it has no lighting. distance has nothing to do with it, his required speed does.

 

[Duffster]

but speed does, especially when they are not designed for freeway speeds. i'll tow anything any distance at a reasonable speed; but a hay baler is not made to go 500 miles at 50+mph..........

i guess you keep missing the mention of towing a farm implement, with no suspension, no brakes, off-road tires, low speed spindles, etc at highway speeds. i would assume that the baler is also over the legal width of road legal vehicle, and therefore is an "oversize load". i am going to also assume it has no lighting. distance has nothing to do with it, his required speed does.

But 4O is OK?

Baler is not over width to tow since it is a farm implement. It would be when on the trailer.

 

[tulenutn2o]

Really what is the difference though? If it made it the first 120 it would make it the rest of the way.

Kinda like my race car that made it 50 laps and blew up on the 51st.

 

[dieselscout80]

When I worked for a IH/NH dealer in Montana back in the 80's we towed balers new and used up and down the interstate at the speed limit and +. That said I doubt we ever towed one over 200 mi.


If we were leaving from the shop we would check the wheel bearings.

We finally built a bumper for a IH 200 4x4 that had a offset hitch just for towing balers.


With the age of it now I think I'd haul it on a trailer unless you replace the tires (or have spares that you know will bolt up) and you've checked the wheel bearings.

 

[gekog]

Thanks all for your thoughts and advise. Does anyone know the outside wheel dimensions of the 320 baler. Will the wheels fit on a 8' or 8'6" trailer?

gekog

 

[steve08]

Thanks all for your thoughts and advise. Does anyone know the outside wheel dimensions of the 320 baler. Will the wheels fit on a 8' or 8'6" trailer?

gekog

Might call a Dealer, They should be able to tell ya....