Where to start?

[LouNY]

You have gotten a little bit of good advise.
For winter feeding definitely 60 HP minimum with a cab.
Preferably around 6000 pounds minimum for the bare tractor 8000# would be nicer.
Also consider a squeeze bale grapple instead of a bale spear and either a Euro Global or SSQA guick attach on the loader.
You will not get this for under $50,000 new.
Also consider either a CVT or power shift/ power shuttle transmission.

Also check on dealer transport cost as you will not want to be trailering this much tractor yourself,
because of height and weight issues.

 

[Xfaxman]

This Bobcat Toolcat is what we use on our 33 acres.
5x6 round bales:

7 foot brush hog:

6 foot 1 cubic yard bucket:

6 foot box blade:

Pushing dirt:

Gorilla Grapple:

 

[Jchonline]

If you are moving hay seriously, you want a full utility size tractor. A compact tractor will feel much less stable...weight really does matter. Kubota M7060 is about 5000 lbs no filled tires/ no FEL/rear attachment. Fill the tires, add FEL and spear, and any rear attachment will put you over 8000 lbs. We run full size bales all the time with it (one on front, one on back) and it feels stable.

A CUT can get it done, but much slower. However if you are only moving a bale a few hundred yards every few days that's fine.

Of course you don't have to get a Kubota, but look for other brands in this weight/size/feature range. At least that is what I would do.

 

[Williy]

These tractors were not mentioned but They
just might be what you are looking for:

Make sure that you test drive before you buy

willy

 

[Gee Ray]

Most of the work you are talking about does not require big HP nor great weight except for the large round bales. You could look at purchasing smaller bales the are easier to transport to the farm as well as easier to feed. You know that horses will do better with fresh hay that is clean and dry. So how do you do that with a 1200 pound bale?

I would think that unless you are feeding a lot of horses you would waste a great deal of hay. I know a lady that feeds her horses 4x5 round bales with the wrap still on them by putting them out in the pasture. She then complains because the horses will not eat the hay that is wet and moldy. She then really bitches when I tell her to clean up the wrap before I can mow her pasture.

Are you planning on moving your own hay or having it delivered?

I assume you are buying the large bales for the price but I would pay more for a smaller bale that gets eaten not wasted.

Find someone you can trust and has or is doing the same thing that you want to do, buy them a beer and pick their brains.

 

[Xfaxman]

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You know that horses will do better with fresh hay that is clean and dry. So how do you do that with a 1200 pound bale?
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Use a Hay Hut: