Small hay grapple.

[powerscol]

I did but it is too big for my tractor. I need a 6 bale unit I can afford. Weight of the units is the issue for my tractor. Still waiting on a couple of responses on folks that can modify their existing units.

Thanks for the help though.

 

[powerscol]

Well folks I made the plunge. After talking to all the folks on my list, only one was willing to work with me on my compact tractor. Some wanted too, but the price got prohibited. After double checking weight, and knowing what I lifted and moved with my pallet forks (12 60# bales on 42" folks) I realized the 8 bale unit would be a real load.

So I went conservative and ordered the 205 unit with modifications, from Grabber | Kuhns Mfg LLC. They went to the trouble to try and design a 6 bale unit, but it too was near capacity. With the 205 unit I can pick up long wise or cross wise to get bale interlock when stacking. The side bar is removable for loading folks too. Ask for John - these folks are great to work with.

 

[farmerwanttobe]

Hello All,

I just bought a square baler and now needing an accumalator. I'm looking at the Maxilator Accumagrapple. 10 bale. Anyone use this on a tractor with any luck. Most of the promotional videos show it on a skid steer.
Thanks everyone!

 

[powerscol]

Yes this will work on a tractor if you have front hydraulics and the QA set up to run it. You will need to match the weight of the unit to the bales carried and you tractor capacity, probably with out ballast, unless you add. I went without as I wanted to use my 3 PT hitch to move my trailer around the field as I loaded it. Search my user name for photos I have posted.

Another way to go is a separate accumulator tied to the baler (groups bales into blocks) and a matching grapple. Kuhns has matching set up's, Kuhns Mfg LLC | Innovation in small square bale handling., as well as others. (search hay bale accumulators) Prices vary over a large range. In my opinion I found the best value at Kuhns

The Maxilator was too heavy for me and would not work well for stacking and un-stacking my trailer and barn with the middle assemblies. thus my choice. In the future if I keep at this I may get their accumulator that is matched to my grapple, but I would need a bigger tractor to pull the combined unit.

 

[powerscol]

I thought I would update this thread. This is the unit I got attached to my tractor.

Between yesterday and today it handled 298 bales twice (load and unload) I had also stacked and covered 100 bales in the field in case of rain. I only had to manhandle one bale that a string brook on. The unit is the perfect size that I can see around in stacking. This is a view from the drivers seat.


The unit will handle 4 bales either way for good stacking. After a while you can get pretty quick of sweeping in and grabbing a bale and moving to the next. The repeated engagement and release of the hooks and re engagement at each pick up does not damage the bale. For my tractor it is the perfect size to run without counter balance, but I do have filled tires.

This is a shot (below) of my 23' goose neck I haul on. I have gone 3 high with a 4th level centered without problem (I now have a deck to level out the drop tail) . I have a Titan 3pt goose neck hitch on the tractor.


All I can say was this was the best money I have spent yet (besides the inline baler) for my business. Hope this helps others.

For folks wondering it the 205 Compact Bale Grabber from thees great folks, Specialty Grabbers My next investment might be this 8 Bale Flat | Kuhns Mfg LLC I just need to figure out if I can handle it or find and alternative.

Happy Haying :thumbsup:

 

[ProjectKing]

I thought I would update this thread. This is the unit I got attached to my tractor. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=472671"/> Between yesterday and today it handled 298 bales twice (load and unload) I had also stacked and covered 100 bales in the field in case of rain. I only had to manhandle one bale that a string brook on. The unit is the perfect size that I can see around in stacking. This is a view from the drivers seat. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=472672"/> The unit will handle 4 bales either way for good stacking. After a while you can get pretty quick of sweeping in and grabbing a bale and moving to the next. The repeated engagement and release of the hooks and re engagement at each pick up does not damage the bale. For my tractor it is the perfect size to run without counter balance, but I do have filled tires. This is a shot (below) of my 23' goose neck I haul on. I have gone 3 high with a 4th level centered without problem (I now have a deck to level out the drop tail) . I have a Titan 3pt goose neck hitch on the tractor. All I can say was this was the best money I have spent yet (besides the inline baler) for my business. Hope this helps others. For folks wondering it the 205 Compact Bale Grabber from thees great folks, Specialty Grabbers My next investment might be this 8 Bale Flat | Kuhns Mfg LLC I just need to figure out if I can handle it or find and alternative. Happy Haying :thumbsup:

I'm very impressed with this. It would be awesome to see a video! So what is total weight of grabber and 4 bales?

I have seen accumulator grabbers that skid the bales across the ground. Seems like this could damage the bales. Sounds like you engage and disengage hooks at every bale pick. Never damages bales? Thanks for sharing!

 

[powerscol]

I'm very impressed with this. It would be awesome to see a video! So what is total weight of grabber and 4 bales?

I have seen accumulator grabbers that skid the bales across the ground. Seems like this could damage the bales. Sounds like you engage and disengage hooks at every bale pick. Never damages bales? Thanks for sharing!

Here are the grabber specifications.

205 Compact Bale Grabber

Picks up 5 bales on edge
Ideal for compact loader tractors
Compatible with the 10 bale edge and 15 bale edge arrangements

205 Working Dimensions: 36”L x 72”W
205 Shipping Dimensions: 42”L x 72”W x 22”H
205 Weight: 340 lbs

Requires:
Loader with at least 750 lb lift capacity*
One set of remotes

*Lift capacity is an estimate based on an average bale weight of 40-50 pounds. However, it is up to the individual to determine their specific loader requirements.

I have an extra set of hooks so say 350 lbs for the unit and 4 bales at 75 each makes a total of 650 lbs. I can lift and move this weight without needing rear ballast.
Yes I do engage and disengage usually for each bale, but can sometimes swing into two or three before hooking up. Over several thousand bales moved, I have broken two strings - my fault though as you can set the hook spacing to miss the strings. If it happens I stay engaged and just retie with a bit of extra twine. You do not want one of those units that skid across the ground as you cant unload easily and cant pick up and load out of the stack. Also there are some grapples out there without the removable side bar - you do need this.

As for a video visit Kuhns Mfg LLC | Innovation in small square bale handling. - they have several and there are others on YouTube.

Hope this helps

 

[ProjectKing]

Here are the grabber specifications. 205 Compact Bale Grabber Picks up 5 bales on edge Ideal for compact loader tractors Compatible with the 10 bale edge and 15 bale edge arrangements 205 Working Dimensions: 36”L x 72”W 205 Shipping Dimensions: 42”L x 72”W x 22”H 205 Weight: 340 lbs Requires: Loader with at least 750 lb lift capacity* One set of remotes *Lift capacity is an estimate based on an average bale weight of 40-50 pounds. However, it is up to the individual to determine their specific loader requirements. I have an extra set of hooks so say 350 lbs for the unit and 4 bales at 75 each makes a total of 650 lbs. I can lift and move this weight without needing rear ballast. Yes I do engage and disengage usually for each bale, but can sometimes swing into two or three before hooking up. Over several thousand bales moved, I have broken two strings - my fault though as you can set the hook spacing to miss the strings. If it happens I stay engaged and just retie with a bit of extra twine. You do not want one of those units that skid across the ground as you cant unload easily and cant pick up and load out of the stack. Also there are some grapples out there without the removable side bar - you do need this. As for a video visit Kuhns Mfg LLC | Innovation in small square bale handling. - they have several and there are others on YouTube. Hope this helps

Wonderful information!! Thank you very much!