Another what do I need question.

[Bartley]

Ok here it goes, sorry its long. I have 20 acres, mostly slopes ( I would not say hills). My wife has horses and I need a tractor. Most of the time on a tractor would be pasture mowing. But in the long run I would like a FEL for small jobs so 4wd would be nice.

Here is the problem, in the winter we like to buy round bales to feed, about 20 a year. It is a whole lot cheaper and a lot nicer in the winter to look out and see that the auto waterer is working ( and the all of their feet are still pointing in the right direction) rather than having to feed square bales all day long. Of course it would need to start in cold weather.

For the past 2 years I have pulled round bales out to feed with my pickup, dangerous and just a matter of time until I tear up the truck (or something else). These bales vary in weight from 1000 to 2000lbs.

I don’t really need that large of tractor, other than the round bale issue. Of the 20 acres, only about 10 of it is pasture (the rest yard, pond, house, barn, and so on). It would need mowed maybe 3 times a year I would say.

In the spring, before the grass really comes on, we still feed round bales. This is a major problem after thaw and during the rains of spring. Things are really muddy at times.

I want to make sure that I get a tractor that will last and that will have parts available for a long time. I don’t see putting that many hours on the tractor a year.

For those of you that have pleasure horses you know they don’t make you any money. With that fact, and with a limited budget, I need to try to stay as cheap as I can.

I have looked at tractors and spending $15,000 for one does not seem like something I can do, or should do. I could see doing that if I was farming or making any kind of money with it. But if I bought one and kept it 10 years I bet I would not have a 1000hrs on it. I am sure I would use it more than I think, but still it would not be that much.

Any ideas, what the smallest tractor I could buy that I could safely moved round bales with the 3pt? What is the rule of thumb with that, weight of tractor, lifting cap, vs weight of the load? Is it as simple as if the bale weights 1500lbs, the tractor will lift 2000lbs, and weights 3000lbs, then I am safe?

Thanks in advance for the ideas….


BARTLEY

 

[tc35dforme]

HMMMM

<font color="blue"> I have looked at tractors and spending $15,000 for one does not seem like something I can do, or should do. I could see doing that if I was farming or making any kind of money with it. But if I bought one and kept it 10 years I bet I would not have a 1000hrs on it. I am sure I would use it more than I think, but still it would not be that much.
</font>

Sounds like you need a tractor...look at it this way....what is an hour of your time worth ???? What will it cost you if you get injured moving a big bale and can't work ???? With 20 acres, you'll keep the tractor working much more than you think ! Once you change your way of thinking to look at the tractor as a tool and not a toy, it'll be easier to justify.

 

[Bird]

Bartley, 4WD and a FEL strong enough to lift round bales and your budget just ain't gonna get you a new tractor, but if you start visiting tractor dealers in your spare time, there are lots of possibiities. It seems that you can find better bargains in used tractors by going to bigger ones instead of compact tractors. And if you don't need to lift the round bales too high, there are 3-point attachments to handle round bales on the back end of tractors that either do not have a FEL or don't have a FEL strong enough to handle round bales. I moved a lot of round bales one year with a home made 3-point fork lift attachment on an old 50hp White tractor and it handled them with ease.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I agree with Bird (no surprise there, huh? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif).

Look for a used UT (Utility Tractor) instead of a CUT. You seem to be reluctant to spend the money for a new tool, and you aren't buying it to mow with, so a larger tractor with good 3ph specs and ag tires seem to be a good fit. You can decide if a FEL and 4WD is worth the extra money after visiting your local dealers.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I have never and will never move round bales, but if you're going to do it on a 3pt, don't forget that you will need front end counterweight and plenty of it most likely. I think going the larger tractor route may be just what you need. Here in NE Florida, the much larger tractors are actually cheaper than a CUT in the same year. Probably because they are not as popular. I saw a good 85 HP Massey for only $10K not long ago, when a comparable compact was $13K. Really large tractors are not always that easy to sell and would probably do just what you need them to. You could easily carry the round bales on the 3pt and there are ready made bale spears for 3pt that don't cost an arm and a leg. John
EDIT: I forgot that I wanted to welcome you to TBN and I hope you always find the answers you need. John

 

[Soundguy]

We have a little less acerage that you.. but also do the hobby farm thing.. some pleasure horses.. and other various livestock.. just for our own needs/uses.. not for sale.

I found a 30ish hp machine was great for everything but the round bales. A bale spear on my 4wd NH 1920 will pick up everything up to about 1700# and then after that it is iffy.

I've borrowed a bale caddy.. and that is the way to go... It is a small trailer.. or dolley. Many designs.. some have a small spear, and tilt back a bit to leverage the bale off the ground.. some do the same with a wrap over retaining arm.

It lets a slightly smaller tractr easilly maneuver the bales.

good luck

Soundguy

 

[Woodbeef]

Ok now from your description I take it you are just feeding bales on the ground,correct? If so you have two options that I can quickly see. First is get smaller bales. Second is go for a 35 hp + utility tractor. Or do both.

 

[Bartley]

how does a bale caddy work in the mud. Will a 30ish hp tractor (4wd) pull one in the mud, or will they sink real bad. I know that depends on a lot of things, but generally speaking how do they do in the mud.

I have seen bale caddys before, and I think they are a good idea, but I have been worried that once it gets muddy they will sink real bad.

Soundguy, do you have a lot of weight on the front of your tractor? When you say it is "iffy", does that mean the front end comes off the ground or it can't lift them?

I think I would be more happy with a smaller tractor, 30 to 50hp, but I am worried about being safe with them and round bales.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas.

Bartley

 

[Bartley]

I feed them on the ground. I am not worried about lifting them high. They are stored on the ground, and it would be just moving them 50ft or so into the pasture, to the round bale feeder.

Thanks again.


Bartley

 

[Soundguy]

All the bale caddies I've seen/used.. have wide automotive truck tires.. Sinks Less than the tractor. I seldom use 4wd onmy tractor.. usually only when discing.

Iff as for light front end. My hyds will do somewhere between 1800 and 2200#.. can't remember which.. but I've had bales on the rear.. it just bounces a bit with no front weight.. and I don't like that feeling.. or the shock to the tractor.. bale dolle makes it sooooo much easier.. and the cows can eat right off the dolly.

Mud what is that? all I have is sand.. does mud contain water? I've heard of that stuff too.. unfortunately her ein florida.. we havn't had any of that this year yet either /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif And I'm going brok feeding hay to my livestock sitting on acers of flat brown crispy used-to-be grass.

Soundguy