Tractor size for hay wagon

[Avondale]

I am looking for info regarding the size tractor required to pull a loaded hay wagon. Is there a general understanding, such as HP per foot of wagon or number of bales, tons of hay, etc? What about braking considerations?
Thanks

 

[Norm W]

I would be more concerned about tractor weight than HP. The old JD "B" was only 13 HP but it was 3200lbs. If you were on a hill you could usually make it up the hill loaded but coming down and trying to brake could get exciting. If you are on flat ground all the time, you could pull a hay wagon with 250 small squares, with a 4wheeler. Braking would be a problem if you went too fast. Looking at you location I would take "Hill" into consideration and go for braking more than HP.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think Norm nailed it. Pulling on flat ground is not an issue but stopping might be on an incline.

 

[aczlan]

We have a Kubota L3830 with loaded rear tires and a couple of 8x16ish "basket" type haywagons. The L3830 has no problem handling the wagons empty or full. It gets a little sketchy going downhill and turning with the tractor, the baler and a full (or almost full) haywagon, but no issues so far.
We also move haywagons around with our B7500 and RTV500. The RTV needs to be in low range to be happy going uphill, but otherwise, both handle the wagons fine loaded or empty.

Aaron Z

 

[Norm W]

For those of us that have done field work with tractors that run on coal, what is the weight and HP of the tractors of the tractors you are using? The L3830GST and B7500HST are a bit new for for me. Just to be on the safe side the baler and wagon were usually pulled with a JD 3020 with loaded tires. That was on rather hilly ground. On flat ground a IH 460 could handle three wagons in an emergency, rain was coming.

 

[zzvyb6]

I can pull a loaded hay wagon (kicker box) with a gas golf car. I just cant stop it very well.

My electric cart does better, but its the weight and brakes you need, not power.

You know you are a professional when you can back up a train made up of the tractor, baler and a hay wagon.

 

[oosik]

I built a farm wagon(the tongue steers the front wheels) on brand new Horst, ten ton, running gear. The bed is 8' x 12' - - the wagon weighs right around 1250#. I can pull it, empty, anywhere on the property with my Polaris ATV. Loaded - I wouldn't even try. When its got a full load of Ponderosa pine logs - it would push my poor little ATV around as though it were connected to nothing. When she is loaded - its always hooked to my Kubota and even at that, it pushes real hard going down the hill in my driveway.

 

[gladehound]

Here's my experience on 10-20% grades.

1:1 braked wheels to non-braked wheels with newish R-4 tires - never had a problem.
1:2 braked wheels to non-braked wheels with newish R-4 tires - went for a ride on a section that I can only guestimate was 15-20% grade.

So how steep are your hills?

 

[Avondale]

Actually, I was thinking of shopping for a tractor and hay wagon combo, was interested in a "rule of thumb" type guide line such as there is with plow width (HP/Ft). (So if I bought a 20 ft hay wagon, should be looking for "X" HP with XX Weight). Thanks

 

[aczlan]

For those of us that have done field work with tractors that run on coal, what is the weight and HP of the tractors of the tractors you are using? The L3830GST and B7500HST are a bit new for for me. Just to be on the safe side the baler and wagon were usually pulled with a JD 3020 with loaded tires. That was on rather hilly ground. On flat ground a IH 460 could handle three wagons in an emergency, rain was coming.

The B7500 has about 19 engine HP and probably weighs around 2000# as currently configured.
The L3830 has about 37 engine HP and probably weighs around 4500# as currently configured.

Aaron Z

 

[oosik]

View attachment 489642Actually, I've never heard of a "rule of thumb" for wagon size vs tractor weight & HP. My Kubota owners manual says: Max drawbar load - 2200# and max trailer loading weight - 11000#. I would have to assume that's considering the "bare", as delivered, weight of the tractor - 4785#. There is no way Kubota could anticipate how their tractors would be configured after being sold. As my tractor is set up and with only the drawbar attached, it weighs right at 9000#.

Your best bet may be to check the owners manual for any tractor you plan on purchasing. It should list max drawbar load & max trailer loading weight.

 

[CobyRupert]

Any guesses on what a hay wagon weighs?

Let's say 200 square bales at 40 lbs. each? (8000lbs),
plus another 1500 lbs (?) for wagon and running gear = 9500lbs (?).

How big of a tractor do you need to tow 10,000 lbs.? Like others have said, horsepower is not the number you need to look at. How heavy of a tractor do you need for 10,000lbs?
That might depends on how steep of a grade you're taking it up and down on, or want to stop on, among many factors.

I would want a tractor that's a least 5000- 6000 lbs (not counting FEL). With a lot of that weight on the back tires.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Yup, it's all about how heavy your tractor is, and how heavy your load is... You can pull a LOT more than you can ever hold back or stop with!

SR

 

[Avondale]

Okay, Thank You all for your input. As mentioned, was just wondering if there was an understanding but it seems like too many variables for one.

 

[Turbys_1700]

We baled and pulled small hay wagons with our D17 Allis Chalmers back in the 60's. We would move the loaded wagons with our M Farmall with loaded rears. No issues stopping or pulling. D-17 was in the 6500# range, 60 engine HP give or take, and 93" WB. The M weighed about the same and had 40 engine HP give or take. I don't have a frame of reference for larger CUT's or newer utility tractors. Coby and Sawyer pretty much nailed it.

 

[ovrszd]

Actually, I was thinking of shopping for a tractor and hay wagon combo, was interested in a "rule of thumb" type guide line such as there is with plow width (HP/Ft). (So if I bought a 20 ft hay wagon, should be looking for "X" HP with XX Weight). Thanks

You gotta understand, with the information you have given, we have no idea of the loaded weight of your anticipated load?? Without that information none of us can give you valid advice. All posters can offer examples of their experiences pulling wagons. None of it means anything. Estimate your expected load weight and then you can get useable information.

 

[ovrszd]

Yup, it's all about how heavy your tractor is, and how heavy your load is... You can pull a LOT more than you can ever hold back or stop with!

SR

See how well that works Rob!!!! Logical, positive input, supported by pic. An addition to the thread rather than a distraction!!!!

 

[Shaneard]

When I was growing up we had 2 tractors, a J.D. 1020 and a Farmall 140. The 1020 was baling with the ole Super 68 Hayliner so that left the 140 to pull the trailer with hay. My parents farm has a creek then a slight grade from creek to barn from hay field. The ole 140 was always overloaded and spun up the hill from creek with the loads of hay. We got by with what we had. If the tractor ever started going backwards whoever was on it would probably not have made it, God watched (and still does) over us for sure!

 

[ovrszd]

When I was growing up we had 2 tractors, a J.D. 1020 and a Farmall 140. The 1020 was baling with the ole Super 68 Hayliner so that left the 140 to pull the trailer with hay. My parents farm has a creek then a slight grade from creek to barn from hay field. The ole 140 was always overloaded and spun up the hill from creek with the loads of hay. We got by with what we had. If the tractor ever started going backwards whoever was on it would probably not have made it, God watched (and still does) over us for sure!

Yep. Dad put me and/or my brother on small tractors with big loads at an early age. Sharpened our driving skills.

 

[Shaneard]

I remember it like it was yesterday, when I was big enough to push the clutch in on the 140 dad put me to raking hay and he said "don't worry if you mess up a windrow it can be fixed". He just needed help, lol. I also remember I wasn't to big at all and he had a leaking valve stem (inside) on the baler and if you kept pressure on it it wouldn't leak. He said hold this right here while I go grab a sandwich. I held it and after a few minutes I thought how does he expect me to hold this while he's baling. I looked around and found a tiny rock and stuck it in there. I went inside and he said the tires gonna be flat! I said nope, fixed it. He baled the rest of the day with that rock in there and had it fixed the following week.