3005 and 4x4 round bales

[poundingmill]

Do you think my JD 3005 can move 4x4 round bales? I don't have to move them far, but I do need to do some stacking. The dealer says I can move the bales with the front bale spear attachment. I'm not sure. I've only had the tractor since June.

 

[Willl]

Your front end loader is limited to approx 750#, how much do the bales weigh ?

 

[poundingmill]

I would estimate about 800 lbs. Doesn't look like that will work, does it?

 

[kennyd]

I think you could probably move them around if kept low and had PLENTY of rear ballast, but I don't think you are going to be able to "stack" them.

 

[poundingmill]

These bales aren't tall, but to store them I need to lay them on their sides and make two layers. How much ballast would I need?

 

[AKfish]

You're gonna be overmatched; IMO. I don't believe your JD 3005 FEL will be able to lift a 750lb bale over 4ft vertically and stack them 2 high.

I say that, given the fact that the bale will extend more than 4 feet beyond the end of the loader arms. If the entire weight of the bale was at the pins on the loader arm - the FEL would most likely handle the load.

But, extend that weight out 4 feet -- and I have strong reservations that your tractor will pass the test.

And, with that amount of weight extended that far from the front of the tractor; you'll need some serious counterweight -- ballast. I'd want at least double the weight you're attempting to hoist; 1,500lbs, minimum -- and that may exceed the capacity of your 3pt.

My hayin' partner has a 2002, JD790 with the model 70 loader. He's tried workin' with big round bales to feed his 6 head of horses. He's feedin' small squares...

AKfish

 

[WH401]

I suppose this would be the definitive answer.

OMW52222: 300, 300X and 300CX Loaders, Block File: OUO6038_0001B6F_19_24SEP04.htm

But that's not to say it couldn't lift it, it just says you shouldn't.

 

[poundingmill]

I know the loader manual says not to handle round bales, yet John Deere has a compatible front loader spear on its web site and the dealer has one in stock. I guess I'll just use the 3 pt. hitch.

 

[AKfish]

Some of the newer round balers will pump out 400lb bales. If you can find a source of the smaller bales, the spear might work out OK.

AKfish

 

[sixdogs]

I have a 790--same thing. I have also moved lots of round bales over the years with other tractors and would guess your odds of success with any round bale and a 3005 are zero. The other guys are right.