Looking for suggestoins

[sisco0210]

Hey folks,
Need some advice... Here is the scenario: I have a small 4.3 acre piece of property. On said property, we run 2 horses. Presently, 2/3 of the property is overgrown and wooded. The rest is on a sloping hill. I use round bales to feed. I am looking for a one equipment solution to mowing and moving round bales. I am considering the idea of buying a used skid steer and a zero turn or a small tractor with loader and finish mower. Where I need help is identifying a tractor that will meet the lifting needs to move a 8-900 pound round bale and still be agile enough to mow the rest of the property. I like the idea of being able to add implements like auger and tiller. Thanks in advance!

 

[flingwing1969]

Welcome to the group. Most any CUT in the 25 hp and up range will do the job. I have had 20hp and now a 38hp tractor and I like the power of the 38 much better and it is still easily maneuverable. When I had my Kubota B21 TLB, I lived on a ranch with some seriously steep terrain and a tractor demands care in such conditions as the front axle is a teeter-totter affair - you have to keep both rear tires on the ground for stability. A skid steer is more stable on hilly terrain but you can certainly safely operate a CUT if you understand what to do and how to do it.

Skid steer accessories are somewhat more expensive but not prohibitively so. You do not have the benefit of a three point hitch in the back of a skid steer so, while very versatile, a CUT can actually permit you to do a bit more without changing implements - you can have a bale spear front and rear and carry two bales at the same time with a CUT and not with a skid steer, for example. You can also have a bucket on the front and a mower on the back at the same time with a CUT.

 

[MESSMAKER]

If money is an option, I would get a good used 45hp 2wd tractor. It will manhandle the round bales and still be able to mow without too much trouble. Sounds like you only have a couple acres to mow so you could mow with a zero turn but it will be tough sledding. Horses make for some really rough ground just by walking around when the ground is wet. A heavy compact tractor will work well, but probably cost a good bit more. I have trouble seeing the need for a skid steer unless you have a lot of other uses.

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum Sisco. You came to the right place to get answers.

Like the others, I would go with a CUT with 4wd with filled back wheels. You will find that on hills and the weight of bales on front that th 4wd will be very beneficial.

 

[AxleHub]

Hey folks,
Need some advice... Here is the scenario: I have a small 4.3 acre piece of property. On said property, we run 2 horses. Presently, 2/3 of the property is overgrown and wooded. The rest is on a sloping hill. I use round bales to feed. I am looking for a one equipment solution to mowing and moving round bales. I am considering the idea of buying a used skid steer and a zero turn or a small tractor with loader and finish mower. Where I need help is identifying a tractor that will meet the lifting needs to move a 8-900 pound round bale and still be agile enough to mow the rest of the property. I like the idea of being able to add implements like auger and tiller. Thanks in advance!

Here's a little different idea to consider. I'll give you an idea to consider of a Massey GC1715. Now with its DL95 loader you can lift 850 to 900 pounds. But lets say instead you get a bale spear to use on the 3pt hitch instead where you can lift just short of 1200 pounds. At the same time - its a wonderful unit for hills and slopes - and it is much kinder to a lawn - and less expensive than some other choices - yet has a great reputation and can handle lots of implements. Its also very maneuverable in barns or tight places.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Here's a little different idea to consider. I'll give you an idea to consider of a Massey GC1715. Now with its DL95 loader you can lift 850 to 900 pounds. But lets say instead you get a bale spear to use on the 3pt hitch instead where you can lift just short of 1200 pounds. At the same time - its a wonderful unit for hills and slopes - and it is much kinder to a lawn - and less expensive than some other choices - yet has a great reputation and can handle lots of implements. Its also very maneuverable in barns or tight places.

That tractor will do well until you get to the round bales. 800lb round bale on a 1400lb tractor and you have your hands full. It could be deadly on a wet hillside.

 

[Bavarian]

That tractor will do well until you get to the round bales. 800lb round bale on a 1400lb tractor and you have your hands full. It could be deadly on a wet hillside.

Copy that.
Way too little of a tractor for the intended job. It may have issues to lift the bale on level ground. Most of the loader capacities are taken at the pin. A 4x5 bale has it's center of gravity already 2 feet ahead of the pin and puts the rating into a different range.

 

[Texasmark]

Currently I roll 4 food diameter x 5 ft long round bales with a JD 375 baler. I use 714 pounds as my max bale weight based on a 6x5 advertised at 1600 pounds.

My Fords weigh in around 3500# without front end loaders and are in the 30-40 HP range, 2 wd.

I have a 3 pt. bale spear and the combination of that wheel base tractor, weighing what it does, makes it a very stable platform for that load with the rear tires spaced to fit inside the cutting path width of a 6 foot diameter rotary mower.

I have moved heavy 6 foot diameter x 4 foot long round bales (1280 pound reference) with it (no front end weights added) but the front end is light and wheel brakes for turning are the norm......with this sized tractor and front end weights of a couple hundred pounds, I have lifted and hauled 6x5 bales (1600 pound reference) in the past when I baled with a JD 530 baler.

I offered the larger bales hauled to give you an idea as to where the bale size you mentioned fit in with the recommended tractor weight and lifting and capabilities.

That's where I think you should look....30-40 hp and if handy for you have a look at the Branson badge. Well up to the task.

 

[AxleHub]

That tractor will do well until you get to the round bales. 800lb round bale on a 1400lb tractor and you have your hands full. It could be deadly on a wet hillside.

Greetings Messmaker,

1st off, my post talked about using a bale spear on the 3 pt hitch as it's rated for up to 1194 pounds - which is much higher than an 800 pound bale.

Secondly a Massey gc1715 is 1433 pounds plus 590 pounds for the fel and an added 170 pounds for the loading of the rears. That's before the 245 pounds for the mmm and the 300 pounds of front or rear ballast depending on which end is doing the hauling.

Lastly, why would someone be carrying a heavy load on any tractor on a wet hillside? Nobody said anything about wet hillside.
As most know, I have very steep slopes and some sidehills. And I haul lots of loads on them of small and large payloads. But I use my brain. Hauling large loads on "wet" sidehills is not using a person"s brain Imo.

 

[AxleHub]

Here's a question. The OP has only two horses. I'm quite aware that round bales are available in different sizes/weights, not to mention square bales are also.

My question is, why is it important to feed just 2 horses with 8-900 pound round bales that ends up requiring greater cost for a larger tractor than is needed for the other chores?

My point is - it's 4.3 acres not 43. It's 2 horses not 20. And you want maneuvering capabilities in barns which greatly benefits from a larger SCUT sizing than having a 35 or 40 HP cut in that same barn.

My point is, the OP wants a payback on his future tractor investment. A capable SCUT with better lifting capacity like a Massey GC1715 gives nimble sizing for in or around barns and yards. At 4.3 acres and 2 horses, where is the payback on a higher cost 35/40 HP cut vs a 25 HP SCUT or small frame cut.

Just a question.