Will L3700 lift hay bales?

[pshevlin]

I'm still waiting for my tractor to arrive. But, I was curious whether it would easily lift 4-5 foot round bales?

Its not what I purchased it for, but I may have a biz opportunity if it will lift them without much trouble.

 

[PHS79]

It should. We have a L3600 with LA680 loader. It has a rated lift cap of 1500lbs, but will lift more. Just make sure that you have plently of counter weight, I am running just over 1000lbs. A 4X4 round bale weighs roughly 900lbs, a 4X5 is around 1200lbs. The weight all depends on the mixture of the grasses, how wet they are and also how tight the baler is set-up.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm still waiting for my tractor to arrive. But, I was curious whether it would easily lift 4-5 foot round bales?

Its not what I purchased it for, but I may have a biz opportunity if it will lift them without much trouble.

Keep the bales low during transport and consider some insurance for your tractor if you're doing commercial work

 

[pshevlin]

It should. We have a L3600 with LA680 loader. It has a rated lift cap of 1500lbs, but will lift more. Just make sure that you have plently of counter weight, I am running just over 1000lbs. A 4X4 round bale weighs roughly 900lbs, a 4X5 is around 1200lbs. The weight all depends on the mixture of the grasses, how wet they are and also how tight the baler is set-up.

Thanks. But I'm new to all this. How do you counter weight the FEL?

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks. But I'm new to all this. How do you counter weight the FEL?

A Ballast Box is the most convenient (due to it's compact size for the weight).

If you're going to move heavy bales, please read your tractor and loader manuals thoroughly. You can damage your tractor or injure yourself (or others) if that load isn't properly ballasted or handled.
Your manuals (especially the loader manual) will provide good information about ballasting, tire inflation and handling heavy loads.

BTW, are you planning on buying a bale spear? You won't want to lift those bales with just your bucket.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks. But I'm new to all this. How do you counter weight the FEL?

Roy answered but as you are new I'll just clarify that to ballast the FEL one adds weight to the back of the tractor generally either to the 3PT hitch or to the rear wheels. One way to do it is to just have an implement like a bush hog mounted but if that is awkward then smaller purpose build ballast boxes can be added which don't interfere with maneuverability.

 

[Code54]

Just a thought - add a rear 3pt bale spear and grab a bail with that - it will easily lift it on the rear and it can be used for rear weight.

 

[funwithahoe]

You said you are new - Please heed the advice of these people and make sure you add counter weight. At times you will be tempted to grab something in a hurry and "cheat" by not adding counter eight but dont do it!

Besides everything runs better and is easier on the machine (and more enjoyable to run) if everything is set up properly!

Enjoy your new tractor!!!:thumbsup:

 

[Goog]

I move them with my L3400 but it is maxed out. Are your rear tires loaded? That will also help with the ballast. There is a picture on here somewhere with a L3400 with large round bales on both ends. Pretty incredible! Brian

 

[logan97]

Just a thought - add a rear 3pt bale spear and grab a bail with that - it will easily lift it on the rear and it can be used for rear weight.

I was at a dealership yesterday looking and discussing the L3700 during the conversation the owner stated that he knows folk that regularly carry 1 in the back and 1 in the front ? BTW that is a beast of a tractor.