Tractor size for hay wagon

oosik · Nov 28, 2016

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 · Nov 28, 2016

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 · Nov 28, 2016

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 · Nov 28, 2016

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 · Nov 28, 2016

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 · Nov 28, 2016

Avondale said:
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 · Nov 28, 2016

Sawyer Rob said:
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 · Nov 28, 2016

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 · Nov 28, 2016

Shaneard said:
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 · Nov 28, 2016

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.