Round Bales

[LMTC]

I'm looking for people who might have first hand experience (please, not anecdotal or 3 x removed), either by personal experience or direct observation of someone else, in lifting/stacking/moving 800-1000# round bales with a spear on a front loader on a Yanmar. I used to do a lot of hay, and never used anything smaller than an AC 170 (app. 5800#, 54HP) for round bales. Any opinion I have is just that....an opinion based on using these units & their loaders for other things. A bale spear puts that load way out front, and any rocking or motion can put dramatic leverage against the tractor.

I'd like to know what model & loader folks have used, the app. weight of the bales involved, and how stable the combo has been lifting/moving/stacking bales. I've read a lot of opinions over the years, but I would like to know if anyone has real first hand experience. Thanks.

 

[runningbird]

Hi Wayne

I have done this a bit, My current ride is a FX28d with Koyker 155, I have the skid steer attatchment and us the 3 spear on it. with a good box on the back no problem. also the same with a 2820d and 160 loader. I have tried with a F22d with a 125 on it and it was ok but I had a 1600lb tandum disc on the back. My bails weigh about 1000 lbs.

hope this helps.

 

[LMTC]

Hi Wayne

I have done this a bit, My current ride is a FX28d with Koyker 155, I have the skid steer attatchment and us the 3 spear on it. with a good box on the back no problem. also the same with a 2820d and 160 loader. I have tried with a F22d with a 125 on it and it was ok but I had a 1600lb tandum disc on the back. My bails weigh about 1000 lbs.

hope this helps.

Thanks. The FX28D and YM2820D are both 3800# tractors. It is my current opinion that at least that much weight is needed. I am surprised the 155 lifts them; I would have guessed otherwise. Your F22D was in the 2500# range, so it was dramatically lighter, and I am surprised it & a 125 loader handled them at all. This is why I am looking for first hand info.....thanks again.

 

[runningbird]

The 155 loader lifts with no problem at all. In fact I have lifted quite a bit heavier than the bails. when I have needed to lift something heavier I the tiller on the back. doesn't take up much room an is very heavy.

 

[ponder]

I am interested in this as well. I just bought a fx24d, and plan on adding a FEL next spring. I am in the process of clearing up 5 acres of old bottom land that has grown up over the last 20 years, and hope to be finished this fall, disc and seed, fence and cross fence, and begin running 4 or 5 dexter cattle (think lowline) on that and some other pasture area.

The bales I will be lifting will only be the small ones, 4x4 size. and only need to stack two high (if even needed to stack at all).

Will the 24d have any problems with these smaller bales? What size FEL would you all recommend?

Thanks,

Joel

 

[blackd]

Ponder, I built a MetKit loader for my FX24D. It should bolt right up to yours. If you are interested send me a private message.

Regardless, what I have learned is that any loader should be easy to take off. Mine is only moderately so. When I didn't need it I usually ran with the bucket off or the loader taken off at the frame. Also, does your 24 have power steering? That also makes quite a difference.

 

[ponder]

I am interested. Please see you PM's. And Thanks!

Joel

 

[spruce Deere]

Month old tread but hear is my hands-on experience.Despite the little warning sticker on loader mast, I have handled round bales with a 790 JD/300 loader with 500lbs. ballast, home-made forks, which is a yanmar undercover. The heaviest bale I lifted and stacked was around 900 lbs. The narrow stance and having to lift "3 high" I would not recommend. It can be done but your tractor seat from puckering will not look the same afterwords Height, reach and stability seems to be the issues with this size of tractor. If two bale high is all a guy needs, they will work. But there is better options.