What tractor to buy to move large round bales??

[Farmer495]

Double high 4x5 on a gooseneck or flatbed you can get away with a 60-80 PTO HP utility tractor.

A 2wd with loader would do the job. What make or model depends on what is locally for sale. If cost is no issue you will be easily able to find what you want.

You likely want something 10-20 years old to get:

no emissions junk
quick attach loader w/euro or skidsteer coupler (to use proper bale spear attachment)
Nice to have 4x4, but not needed if you are on hard ground (no mud)
nice to Shuttle trans (synchro or power/hyd)
cab optional, I always found you had to lean ahead to unload two tiers because cab roof blocked view.

In that age range....I personally would consider

Kubota M7040 to M9540
Kubota M6800-M9000
CaseIH CX80-CX100 CaseIH C80-C100
New Holland TL80-TL100
Deere 6110-6410

 

[RickB]

I handled a couple thousand 4x5 silage bales weighing up to 1800 lbs with a bale squeeze on a Deere 5520 and 541 loader. Stored stacked two high. Would not want anything one iota smaller or lighter.

 

[Xfaxman]

johnking2, here is a thread about the Bobcat V519 that I recommended earlier: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...1162-v519-compact-telehandler.html?highlight=

 

[johnking2]

Double high 4x5 on a gooseneck or flatbed you can get away with a 60-80 PTO HP utility tractor.

A 2wd with loader would do the job. What make or model depends on what is locally for sale. If cost is no issue you will be easily able to find what you want.

You likely want something 10-20 years old to get:

no emissions junk
quick attach loader w/euro or skidsteer coupler (to use proper bale spear attachment)
Nice to have 4x4, but not needed if you are on hard ground (no mud)
nice to Shuttle trans (synchro or power/hyd)
cab optional, I always found you had to lean ahead to unload two tiers because cab roof blocked view.

In that age range....I personally would consider

Kubota M7040 to M9540
Kubota M6800-M9000
CaseIH CX80-CX100 CaseIH C80-C100
New Holland TL80-TL100
Deere 6110-6410

Thanks just what I was asking for.

 

[Tx Jim]

In that age range....I personally would consider

Kubota M7040 to M9540
Kubota M6800-M9000
CaseIH CX80-CX100 CaseIH C80-C100
New Holland TL80-TL100
Deere 6110-6410

IMHO JD6110-6410 aren't in the same league price & conveniences with the other brands you mentioned. I think JD 5075E & 5085E would be a more realistic match to the other brand tractors

 

[Farmer495]

IMHO JD6110-6410 aren't in the same league price & conveniences with the other brands you mentioned. I think JD 5075E & 5085E would be a more realistic match to the other brand tractors

Yes they can be spec'd higher, A 6000 series can have 16x16 powerquad which is certainly not found on the the others and a few other features like HMS.

Find a 2wd open station 6X10 with 12 speed syncro plus and you are on same footing as anything else equipped the same on the list.

I ran a TL100 (24x12) beside a 6310 (powerquad) both cab and 4x4, both were less than a year old at the time. The Deere wasn't much nicer despite the NH TS100 16x16 being the more comparable model.

OP didn't want emissions, so 5085E out, but an early 5075E with flattop fender (TierII) would still be capable. Deere 5410/5510 Would fit in the mix too.

 

[Farmer495]

Thanks just what I was asking for.

Good luck, let us know what you end up finding. Always neat to see what was actually available in the real world in real $$$ that meets the need.

 

[LouNY]

Well I just went to tractor data . com and just in the CIH (Case International) lineup when I sorted by hp,
there are over 55 Models between 95 and 125 HP which to me would be a good range for the intended use.
Personally I'd be looking 115 HP+
Pardon Our Interruption
And I prefer Red

 

[Hay Dude]

Id want a 10k or heavier tractor if you want to spear 2 bales at a time. I do 2) 850-1000lb bales at a time with a dual bale spear on my M126x and M135x. Both have cast rims. Why unload 1 bale at a time when you can do 2?

One at a time, you can go to maybe a smaller M7040.

All those tractors I have owned for a long period of time. All have 4WD and no emissions. They are very good tractors and can be had with a lot of nice features.

 

[RustyA]

50+ hp mfwd utility tractor will do what you want safely. Load rear tires set at max width. Put 3pt spear on and spear a bale with ratchet straps holding it together for ballast. I used this method with a 36 hp JD 1070 compact for years. Go slow and lower bale close to ground before turning sharp.