Buying Advice What size tractor do I need?

[PalPigs]

Use tractor to move large round bales and pallets of feed, 2000lbs. Looking to buy new, What do you recommend?

 

[TomSeller]

We could use some more information, but offhand I would say you need 4WD. You also need attachments to move the round bales and forks I assume for the feed. You would need SSQA (quick attach) on your FEL so you can swap attachments. Your local best dealer might answer the question as to the brand. What good dealers are close?

Excellent Well supported brands are Kubota and Deere. Many satisfied owners of Kioti, LS, Massey, NH.... Any main brand.

As for size, I like 45 to 50 HP and up. As to transmission, a power shuttle or HST. HST if you like fine control when using the FEL. Power Shuttle if you don't want your engine maxed out all the time and want something all around. Both are good.

 

[jeff9366]

Fill in your T-B-N Profile with info on your current tractor and your location.

What is your BUDGET for a new tractor?

 

[MESSMAKER]

You are looking at a utility tractor in the 50hp range at least.

 

[Egon]

The conditions the bales will be moved in make a difference. Also hight and reach of the bucket may be a factor.

To do it properly with a new tractor be aware that price could be substantial.

One farmers solution.

 

[4570Man]

It'll take a pretty big tractor to lift a 2000 pound pallet on the FEL. Do you want to load the pallets on a truck or just move them around. I'd definitely try the lift before you buy a machine. Loader specs are clear as mud.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I would say 5 family series JD or larger, not sure what that is in other brands. HP is rather irrelevant when it comes to loader work but I would say 50hp plus.

I have a 4 series and with big round bales I wish I had a bigger tractor for stability reasons. I suppose a 4 series would do it but would be pushing its limits.

Pallet forks on a 6x4 round bale, around 1200lbs maybe more, I haven’t bought another that big since and don’t plan to.

I have around 30psi in my front tires and 12psi in the rears, you can see how stressed the front tires were on that bale.

 

[rScotty]

On the surface, it would seem that by the time a person has a need to be moving 2000 lb pallets of feed that he would know more than most about what kind of tractor was needed.
rScotty

 

[Piston]

Fill in your T-B-N Profile with info on your current tractor and your location.

Why? This has nothing to do with his question.


Palpigs,
Your gonna need something larger than a 50-60hp compact tractor. You are into utility sized range with needing to 2k lbs IF you want to do it with the front end loader.

If you don’t need the lift height, you could use the three point hitch on a compact.

Otherwise your looking at something like a Kubota M7060, Deere 5075 or similar, NH T4.75/Case 75c or others comparable to
That.

 

[4570Man]

I would say 5 family series JD or larger, not sure what that is in other brands. HP is rather irrelevant when it comes to loader work but I would say 50hp plus.

I have a 4 series and with big round bales I wish I had a bigger tractor for stability reasons. I suppose a 4 series would do it but would be pushing its limits. View attachment 525273View attachment 525274View attachment 525275

Pallet forks on a 6x4 round bale, around 1200lbs maybe more, I haven’t bought another that big since and don’t plan to.

I have around 30psi in my front tires and 12psi in the rears, you can see how stressed the front tires were on that bale.

That tractor is rated to lift 2100 or 2300 pounds to full height at the pins. My tractor was rated to lift 1800 pounds to full height at the pins. Lifting a 1200 pound 42x48 pallet to full height was about all I could do. I don't think that tractor will ever load a 2000 pound pallet on a semi truck. ( I'm making assumptions here. The op never said what he was doing. )

 

[Ortimber]

I just unloaded 1 ton pallets of pellets for my stove using my M7040 Kubota. I have filled rear tires and wheel weights. IMHO I wouldn't want to use a smaller tractor unless the ground was perfectly flat. The rear end felt mighty light...

 

[BMan2005]

I have a NH Workmaster 60 and move 4x5 (1100lbs) round bales with it fairly easy. If I was running across a pasture though I would want a rear ballast. Saying that with the 2000lbs pallets I think you need to step up a size to a 6000-7000 lbs bare weight tractor and fill the rear tires. Horse power won't matter as much as weight for what you're wanting to do.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

That tractor is rated to lift 2100 or 2300 pounds to full height at the pins. My tractor was rated to lift 1800 pounds to full height at the pins. Lifting a 1200 pound 42x48 pallet to full height was about all I could do. I don't think that tractor will ever load a 2000 pound pallet on a semi truck. ( I'm making assumptions here. The op never said what he was doing. )

Mine is 2368lbs at the pins at full height, 1742lbs 500mm from the pins. 500mm is only 20inches or so. 500mm is the numbers I look at.

My 400x loader to 1.5m at 500mm is 2181lbs, add the pallet fork weight on the 2000lb load and I don’t think I could load a flatbed semi trailer single stack. Would have to get the 400cx loader which prob could if you spend a fortune making the rear heavy.

I stick to the 5 series or larger size wise, not sure the comparable tractors in other brands.

 

[Turbys_1700]

NH 621 TL is rated at 3550# at the pins and 2000# at 800 mm to full height. Get a 6K#-7K# tractor in the flavor you like with a 3K# rated FEL. If rated at the pins you will have approximately 60% of that capacity out 800 mm or 31.5 inches.

 

[bigbull338]

lifting the weights you are talking about you want a 95hp to 110hp tractor ballast right to lift those weights.you also have to watch the weights your lifting or you will end up messing up your quick attach on the loader.those are not cheap.mine needs replacing and its a tad under $1000.

 

[terryknight]

you don't need a 100hp tractor. the 5 series deere is plenty. i have a 5055E with the 553 loader. loader specs almost 3200lbs at the pins to full height and almost 5000lbs to 59" again at the pins. i can't remember what the measurements were 500mm and 800mm in front of the bucket, but i could check the owners manual at the office.

couldn't lift this log onto the GN, but it would lift it almost high enough. green white oak i think it was 15 ft long and 30" around





this was elm 34" on one end 40" on the other 13-14 ft long. had to remove the fender to loader it on my car trailer

 

[BMan2005]

NH 621 TL is rated at 3550# at the pins and 2000# at 800 mm to full height. Get a 6K#-7K# tractor in the flavor you like with a 3K# rated FEL. If rated at the pins you will have approximately 60% of that capacity out 800 mm or 31.5 inches.

Yep I can agree with this. I have the 621 TL on mine as well and it's stout.

OP, The 626 TL is rated at 500lbs more than the 621 TL also. But I still think if this tractor will see this kind of work regularly especially if you don't want to have some type of ballast on the rear then you need a heavier tractor. Some good advice in here, just depends on how you want the tractor to handle the weight.

 

[BMan2005]

you don't need a 100hp tractor. the 5 series deere is plenty. i have a 5055E with the 553 loader. loader specs almost 3200lbs at the pins to full height and almost 5000lbs to 59" again at the pins. i can't remember what the measurements were 500mm and 800mm in front of the bucket, but i could check the owners manual at the office.

couldn't lift this log onto the GN, but it would lift it almost high enough. green white oak i think it was 15 ft long and 30" around

View attachment 525436

View attachment 525435

this was elm 34" on one end 40" on the other 13-14 ft long. had to remove the fender to loader it on my car trailer

View attachment 525437

View attachment 525438

Specs for your loader

Breakout force (at pin) 5,378 lbs [2439 kg]
Breakout force (at 800mm): 3,604 lbs [1634 kg]
Lift to full height (at pin): 3,133 lbs [1421 kg]
Lift to full height (at 800mm): 1,956 lbs [887 kg]
Lift to 1.5m (at pin): 4,008 lbs [1818 kg]
Lift to 1.5m (at 800mm): 2,891 lbs [1311 kg]

 

[Egon]

After the lift from the ground the bale must be moved. If the bale is on a truck/trailer the reach and height may not allow access to the bale.

 

[rScotty]

After the lift from the ground the bale must be moved. If the bale is on a truck/trailer the reach and height may not allow access to the bale.

Yes, I'd agree. Straight lifting is one thing. But when you start to talk about moving, picking, and placing things that weigh a ton apiece it's more "How big of a tractor can I use"....not how small.
rScotty