Hay bale grapple on a 7tl loader - Capacity?????

powerscol · Sep 5, 2014

SSdoxie and others I need your help. I have the newer 7tl loader with the 62" bucket. after looking at the older threads and what I could find, if everything is working correct my loader capacity with the bucket on is 1480 lbs at pin and 1090 at 20 inches out. I could not find a weight of just the bucket, but I am guessing from other buckets offered by Bobcat its at least 260 lbs, so with the bucket off I have that much more in lift capacity. Is this correct?

I am looking at an 8 bale grapple. it measures 72" square (center of hay mass would be 32' to 36" from back edge. unit weight is 570 lbs. quick attach sits back about 4". the standard hay bales I am lifting are 14x18x 32" long - bales are 50 to 60 lbs each. so total lift weight is 1050 lbs (570 + 480 bale weight), again with the center of mass being 40" roughly from the pin. There is also a figure on the table that with 364lb 42" pallet forks it can lift 740 lbs, but it does not say how far out the mass is.

With proper balast can my CT 235 handle this? It will save my back handling the bales I am making with my tractor and the Hesston 4550 baler I am using. (Works great BTW)

I do want to lift full height to stack in the barn or on a trailer. There are smaller units out there, if this will not work.

Thanks everyone.

SSdoxie · Sep 5, 2014

A 2011 tractor would have the newer Bobcat built loader, look at the serial number of the loader (not tractor) 1st 4 digits of number would be either AL4D or AKPD, depending on if it is Bob-tach (SSQA) or pin on style bucket.
The 62" Bob-tach (SSQA) bucket weighs 223#. Look at the first page of the OP manual in Specification>capacities page, 1st line on the listings. Total weight capacity at full height on Bobcat loader with Bob-tach is 1417#.
Here is just an example of what can be done, using extreme caution, and proper counter weight. As you mentioned the pallet fork rating is 740# on the first version loader (which I have) and 752# (center of load 24" in front of pallet frame) on the Bobcat built loader. With 800# rear ballast weight plus filled tires, once a month I pick-up and move a pallet load of feed weighing 1050# and have no problems what so ever doing so. With that load I still have hydraulic power to roll back and lift.
I don't think you will have any problem with physically picking up the bale load, just keep the load low when moving and have the trailer/wagon setting on fairly flat ground when raiding to full height. No side hills!!. and you should be ok.

The hydraulic leverage is there, but good appropriate counter- weight is the biggest key.

powerscol · Sep 5, 2014

Your a saint. Thanks. Yes I do have the newer version with the 911 in the number. Worse case I only pick up 4 to 5 bales at a time - will save my back.
Thanks for the help.

BTW I do have filled GP tires and several counter weights I can use, including my big tiller which is right at 1000 lbs.

SSdoxie · Sep 6, 2014

Use extreme caution although your proposed bale load is about same as the pallets I lift, the bales will be out wider an farther forward. Plus I have never tried going to full height with that load.

abatis · Sep 7, 2014

A little different but I use a bale spear and lift 1000lb round bales. No matter make sure rear counterweight is correct for the load. Ct235 tractor

powerscol · Sep 9, 2014

I am looking at a plan B These folks, www.kuhnsmfg.com , can make me a custom 5 bale model. that is at 75% my tractor capacity when loaded. Less stress on the tractor, and ME

.

Ill keep you posted.

Also looking at a PJ 20' 102" wide GN deackover equipment trailer. Its the F8 model 14K gvw. Anyone have this brand?