What tractor to buy to move large round bales??

[mred2]

Agree that most tractors don't need extra weight on the front. But when I pull a box blade thru 8 inches of horse manure, I need all the traction that I can get. I have had all 4 tires spinning at once. Nothing like skidding on horse ****. I grew up on bigger tractors where all wheels were loaded and weights on all 4 tires. Interesting thing was that there was on JD4010 without loaded tires and no weights. When we had to go thru really deep stuff, it was the tractor we used because it floated thru to the other side. But a lot of wear on the rear tires spinning. Ups and downs to everything.

 

[EddieWalker]

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/87262-wheel-weights-add-stress-axles.html

A little debate, but the weight of tires ride on the ground. The bearings support the weight of the tractor.

True.

Weight of the tires is supported by the ground, so foaming them, or filling them does not put any significant strain on the axle.

Suitcase weights and loaders add significant weight and strain the the axles.

 

[Hay Dude]

True.

Weight of the tires is supported by the ground, so foaming them, or filling them does not put any significant strain on the axle.

Suitcase weights and loaders add significant weight and strain the the axles.

Until a tires get off the ground. You get a front tire/wheel up in the air a few times a week over bumpy ground and that loaded tire could put a hurtin on those bearings pretty quick.
I still think years of loaded tires compared to years of air filled tires and the bearings on the loaded tire tractor will show more wear.....
Cant prove it with charts or studies, but Ive seen it. Also seems like loaded front tires steer heavy.

Hope youre feelin better. Mine wasnt too bad.

 

[mred2]

Hay Dude, I am an old man and not in a hurry most of the time. I don't go fast enough for my tires to come off the ground. But I see your point.
The perfect tractor to move hay can be a lot of things. My friend in Arkansas, has never had a tractor with less than 100hp. His rolls are 1400 to 1600 lbs. My little 50hp and 800 to 1000 lb. rolls is almost a garden tractor to him. Because he farmed big for most of his life, I don't think he has ever had a tractor without filled tires and wheel weights. He has now stopped the farming but still has about 80 cows. If you told him that he could take the weights off his tractors and water out of the tires, he would think you are crazy. Different ways of doing things. Might be interesting to ask what size bales/rolls will be here in the future. Most of us smaller places couldn't afford 100hp tractor to store/fed hay. The 4x5 rolls work great for me. But I have a lot of friends that still feed small square bales by hand. I have read a little about the newer small rolls. I don't think I would want to go that small, yet.

 

[Xfaxman]

We always keep a few small square bales. Recently getting them in 21 bale bundles:

And unloading with the V417:

Set it on the dolly:

My wife pushed it from the aisle and put a tarp on it:

 

[Hay Dude]

Hay Dude, I am an old man and not in a hurry most of the time. I don't go fast enough for my tires to come off the ground. But I see your point.
The perfect tractor to move hay can be a lot of things. My friend in Arkansas, has never had a tractor with less than 100hp. His rolls are 1400 to 1600 lbs. My little 50hp and 800 to 1000 lb. rolls is almost a garden tractor to him. Because he farmed big for most of his life, I don't think he has ever had a tractor without filled tires and wheel weights. He has now stopped the farming but still has about 80 cows. If you told him that he could take the weights off his tractors and water out of the tires, he would think you are crazy. Different ways of doing things. Might be interesting to ask what size bales/rolls will be here in the future. Most of us smaller places couldn't afford 100hp tractor to store/fed hay. The 4x5 rolls work great for me. But I have a lot of friends that still feed small square bales by hand. I have read a little about the newer small rolls. I don't think I would want to go that small, yet.

Front tires filled and wheel weights?

 

[aczlan]

Front tires filled and wheel weights?

If it's a 2wd tractor without a loader yes, used to be very common.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

We recently picked up a Case 480F LL to bale with and move hay bales around with (essentially a 480F backhoe with a 3 point and PTO in place of the backhoe).
Good for 4000ish on the front and 5000ish on the back.
It notices our 5x5 bales a lot less than the L3830 does.

Aaron Z

 

[Hay Dude]

If it's a 2wd tractor without a loader yes, used to be very common.

Aaron Z

I thought the tractor the OP would need was definitely already equipped with a loader since you need one to move round bales.
I would want filled front tires with a loader.

Now if no loader? Then I would want front weight.

 

[sd455dan]

Can't Imagine the OP would not want an FEL...

His first post says he needs to unload from a trailer, my guess is that may even be a standard semi trailer and that would likely be stacked 2 high.

Mmm- haven't heard from the OP , wonder If he already Bought a suitable machine and has already moved on?

OP are you still out there? last post was 1/8 and it is one of three total