What did you do on or to your LS Tractor today?

SeidelRanch · Nov 20, 2020

Anyone run a small round baler or square baler on their 40 or less HP LS? How well does it do? What make/model?

Mine is now pulling my 14' shredder actually nicely and I am now thinking about baling my grass for goats or sheep. I have 40 acres in central TX, but would probably only be baling 15-20 acres of it.

PCABE5 · Nov 20, 2020

Changed out the loader level indicator.

PCABE5 · Nov 20, 2020

SeidelRanch said:
Anyone run a small round baler or square baler on their 40 or less HP LS? How well does it do? What make/model?

Mine is now pulling my 14' shredder actually nicely and I am now thinking about baling my grass for goats or sheep. I have 40 acres in central TX, but would probably only be baling 15-20 acres of it.

Lots of threads on TBN with similar questions.

That being said you have provided very little to go on.

Is your land hilly? Flat? Combination?

What square baler model?

What round baler model?

What size bale?

What does the baler weight?

What does your tractor weight?

It is not a HP shortage that I would worry about as much as tractor capacity controlling the baler, when it is almost or full of hay.

At 33 PTO HP your options could be limited but not impossible. And you'd probably be limited to a 4x4 round baler and 4x5 might be pushing it. Small square baler should run ok with your MT 342.

Show us your 14' shredder. Flail?

JCoastie · Nov 21, 2020

branch maintenance

BBHomestead · Nov 22, 2020

SeidelRanch said:
Anyone run a small round baler or square baler on their 40 or less HP LS? How well does it do? What make/model?

Mine is now pulling my 14' shredder actually nicely and I am now thinking about baling my grass for goats or sheep. I have 40 acres in central TX, but would probably only be baling 15-20 acres of it.

As already stated lots of factors! I would say you should plan on a small square baler not a round bailer! And the older models of new holland and JD with the lower strokes per minute will be what you are after! They are made to run behind 35+ hp tractors! The only problem you will have is the 38hp older tractors had a lot more weight on them and they usually added ballast weights ! The heavier you have the tractor the less its going to beat you around and the lower stroke bailers dont beat you up as much! Then the only other things is how well you adjust and maintain the bailer! Because if the blades are out of shim or dull then even a 100hp tractor won't work! If the plunger is loose and rubbing in wrong places if old hay is wrapped around things slowing it down! All this and also cost of equipment! Is the reason to bale it for your enjoyment as much as to have hay! Because with the cost of a hay cutter, hay rake, and bailer you can buy a lot of hay and if you find someone already baling in your area could just trade part of the hay to have them do it!
I have over 7k into my hay equipment and it was all purchased used and some needed a lot of TLC!