what size hay baler

mkrapf · Jun 19, 2004

hello,
I am kicking around the idea of buying a used hay baler. I have a 6 acre's that I bale and a couple of neighbors would
also want some small plots baled. I have a jd 4300 which if
memory serves me correctly is around 30 hp. Is any one out
there using any of this size to bale hay?

thanks for your time.

higgy · Jun 19, 2004

30 hp would be a very minimum power to run a bailer. If you can get the flywheel to speed it might do the job, but at a very slow pace. If you are thinking of small square bailes the recipocating motion of the knife will cause the most problem as it will shake your tractor back and forth as the knife and plunger work.

With a small hp you might try and find a bialer that was made before the high plunger rate machines that came out in the '70s, this should help with this problem. Look for a bale size of 14X16 or so.

Have fun.

Dane

tough451 · Jun 19, 2004

I used to run a old New Holland square baler with a 870 JD it would pull it and it did rock the heck out of it. You could find one that has its own motor like some of the Amish and pull with hores's.

MikePA · Jun 19, 2004

There have been a number of threads about what size tractor is needed for baling hay. While horsepower is one thing to consider, the weight of the tractor is just as important. The general consensus is that the upper end of the CUT line of tractors, regardless of brand, is the minimum. IMO, the 4300, at 2,800 pounds, is too light a tractor for baling hay.

Will it work, i.e., can you hook a baler up to the 4300 and bale? Probably, but the baler (you did not indicate if the used baler is for square or round bales) will most likely jerk the tractor around like crazy, which is not good for the tractor, nor, depending upon the terrain, safe. Sometimes there's a difference between what can be done and what should be done. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JerryG · Jun 19, 2004

I don't know if you are looking for a square baler or a round baler, but Hesston now has a small round baler that is rated at 30 horsepower. It is a Hesston model 530 and makes a 39" x 48" bale. List is $11,300, but my dealer has one for $8,200.

Darren · Jun 19, 2004

I run a NH 310 with a Kubota 3710 HST (30 pto hp) to bale 10-15 acres. Works fine. It does shake the tractor most noticeably at slower speeds. At higher ground speeds, it's not noticeable. The orginal baler manual states that a 14 hp Wisconsin engine was available to run it.

Phred · Jun 20, 2004

To small in my opinon for a round baler. Maybe if the hay is thin and it's perfectly flat. But if you have any hilly ground forget it.

To put it in persepctive my 70 hp tractor is marginal for anything larger than a 4x5 round baler.

Fred

slowzuki · Jun 21, 2004

For round balers the weight of the baler is important for CUTs. Some 4x5' balers with a full bale are around 4000 lbs. Some are much lighter too but be careful.

Ken

HayDR · Jun 21, 2004

All you need is a 40 HP utility tractor.

tough451 · Jun 21, 2004

If you have flat ground all you need is 40hp if it is hilly like mine you need the size and weight of a 70hp. So what ever you do take you tractor size weight and terrian into consideration. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

cowboydoc · Jun 21, 2004

what ever you do take you tractor size weight and terrian into consideration.

That is very true. Mfg. ratings are based on level ground. Also the hp ratings for balers, esp. the older ones may only need 30 pto hp to run the baler but those old 30 hp tractors had alot more torque than the new ones and weighed three times as much. I have a very basic JD 328. I have hooked it to my 4600 at times and it throws it around like a rag doll. I cannot imagine that I would not have some serious problems if I baled on a regular basis with it. I also wonder how long these compact tractors will last with those round balers and square balers hooked to them. They may be able to do it but for how long? If you really want to do hay just buy an older tractor that you can pick up for $5k or less. When you're baling hay another tractor is a blessing. Use that for your baler tractor and live to tell your grandchildren about the old days.

tough451 · Jun 21, 2004

The extra tractor is really nice to rake hay with or pull the hay wagon or in my case trailer . /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

hobbyfarm · Jul 10, 2004

Hello,
I saw your post, you may need to look at European equipment to find the niche equipment. You might want to check this out:
they have a round baler rated at 18 HP.
http://www.abbriata.com/
also:
http://www.wolagri.it/index_eng.asp
They make compact round balers too.
I know that there are more than likely no dealers here for this equipment, but that may be a chance for some visionary-minded dealer to fill a niche.
phil /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

mkrapf · Jul 11, 2004

thanks for all the input.
I would go with a side load baler as my tractor would
just drag the windrows.
THe best bet would be buy another tractor.
Hobby farm thanks for the links I also found one called star
that makes balers for small tractors.

Thanks everyone.

Mike

lacamo · Jul 12, 2004

I toyed with the idea of a small round baler, a Claas, which makes 3 x 4 bales. Smaller yes, but you still need a spear or hugger to move them and, if you have them wrapped, (wet or dry), it'll cost quite a bit more per acre. What do you think is the advantage over a square baler? BTW I've heard from many folks that the Hesston chokes on wet hay. Is this true?

timb · Jul 12, 2004

This is an interesting web site from Alberta...

Govt. of Alberta - Hay Baler Tests

Shows actual PTO hp load in the field while baling. The NH 310 small square baler is in there - averaged just 25hp but they noted that it took a 54hp tractor to overcome PTO fluctuations and provide sufficient power on hillsides etc.,. Similar comments made on the other square balers.

On the other hand the 'peak' PTO hp requirements for many of the round balers is surprisingly low - some of the 5x5 (and larger) balers peak at less than 20 PTO hp (MF 560, Lundell 760C, Hesston 5400, NH 850) although the average baler requirement is a lot higher. And it appears to be a much more consistant load. There it seems the weight of the baler + bale is by far the more limiting factor on tractor size.

I'd like to hear about the rep of the Hesston 530/5530/730/830 balers. The size of both baler and bale seem that they could possibly fit a bit very big compact or small utility tractor. (2800lbs baler, 500 lb bale, 30hp min, 60hp max.).

HayDR · Jul 12, 2004

The data on this site is flawed for today's market because the many of the machines tested are our of production and have been out of production for 20 years. Were these tests based on machines tested when new? NO The technology of today's market is vastly different than the machines tested.

timb · Jul 12, 2004

I believe this report has been updated and added to from time to time - so the machines listed may have been contemporary when that test was made - I do not know, I have not contacted the authors. Do you know of any more current information covering independent (and presumably unbiased?) quantitative testing of hay equipment? I was not citing this as a means to disparage any one make - merely as interesting information regarding the relative loads presented by different styles/sizes of balers.

HayDR · Jul 12, 2004

It is real simple when you see JD510 & Vermeer 605C they are closed throat balers produced in the 1970's. McKee (In the USA) has not produced a baler in 20 years. International Harvester too has not produced a baler in 20 years. There is no validity in any of the test results because these are not tested on the same day of buy independent testing. They have just posted results that someone sent to them. That is as crazy as AL Gore saying he invented the internet.