lifting hay bales with BX

roy2636 · Mar 29, 2015

new to the forum and tractor world. is lifting round hay bales our of the question with this tractor? wether it be the front end or by the 3 point hitch?

bcp · Mar 29, 2015

Only the smallest, with proper counterweight.

BX weight lifting:
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showpost.php?p=134903&postcount=4

sheepfarmer · Mar 29, 2015

There is some discussion of the safety issues in transporting round bales with tractors in this thread:

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18070

It is not just how much the FEL will lift, but whether or not the ground will ever be uneven, leading to tipping and so forth. In that thread it was questionable as to whether L sized tractors would do the job, making me think it might not be safe to use a BX.

mickeyd · Mar 29, 2015

Welcome to OTT Roy. I guess a lot would depend! Depend on: 1) Size of bale; 2) How bumpy the track of land; 3) How hilly the track of land; 4) How far you had to carry them; 5) How slow and careful you were; etc.?

Kennyd4110 · Mar 30, 2015

My answer is no, absolutely not! If round bales are in your future, then you need a larger machine to safely handle them.

roy2636 · Mar 30, 2015

I read about the M and L models carrying round bales. it seems some people like to play it safe and some don't. I have 10 acres and would like to get a few cows. I wouldn't be carrying them far, 100 yards max, and that's from the end of my drive way to my barn where I could feed cattle. i chose the bx because i was deciding on getting a zero turn and skid loader, then i discovered the utility tractor world. i felt like i would get more use out of a utility tractor since you can use it for many applications. i didn't want to big to tear up mu yard either, and it maneuvers nice.

skeets · Mar 30, 2015

Yep there are things you can do and things you shouldn't do,,, that's one of them you shouldn't do,,, not that you cant lift a bale ,,, but wheel width and tractor weight are all kind of against you

Diydave · Mar 30, 2015

I don't think moving a 500 lb or less bale would be much of a problem, with a good bale spear, rear counterweighting, correct tire pressure, and most importantly, COMMON SENSE! keep the load low, speed low, and use caution on rough or non level ground. The bales made by the Hesston, IH, NI that share the same dimensions of 39" wide, 48-54" diameter, weigh about 450 lbs average. Wouldn't want to try them little toys out on much bigger...

Kingcreek · Mar 30, 2015

My neighbor moved round bales with a grand L and FEL, but only with 1 bale on the 3pt for counterweight. He decided it was too much and bought an M series and sold his L3010 to me. Your BX is too small to handle them safely.

ShaunBlake · Mar 30, 2015

roy2636, everyone these are all good suggestions, including the ones that suggest you do try to move them. I'd like to make a different suggestion. But first, you need to provide a bit of information.

1) Is the hay yours, or are you buying it?
2) How big are the bales, and how green?

If you cannot control the size and weight, I urge you to not even try!

If you can ensure the bales are smallish and light, then I recommend that you use (get or make) a small 4-wheel trailer: put the trailer next to a bale; spear and lift the bale; push the trailer under it; lower the bale into the trailer.

Alternately, if you have a good level spot: put the trailer behind the bale; spear and lift the bale; drive forward and lower the bale into the trailer.

Drag the trailer to the cows and unload the same safe way.

Keep us updated on your progress!

roy2636 · Mar 30, 2015

ShaunBlake said:
roy2636, everyone these are all good suggestions, including the ones that suggest you do try to move them. I'd like to make a different suggestion. But first, you need to provide a bit of information.

1) Is the hay yours, or are you buying it?
2) How big are the bales, and how green?

If you cannot control the size and weight, I urge you to not even try!

If you can ensure the bales are smallish and light, then I recommend that you use (get or make) a small 4-wheel trailer: put the trailer next to a bale; spear and lift the bale; push the trailer under it; lower the bale into the trailer.

Alternately, if you have a good level spot: put the trailer behind the bale; spear and lift the bale; drive forward and lower the bale into the trailer.

Drag the trailer to the cows and unload the same safe way.

Keep us updated on your progress!

i would be buying it. could I move it by the 3 point then? and move it that way? would that be better then doing it from the front?

ShaunBlake · Mar 30, 2015

It would be a little awkward to pick a bale up with the 3PH, but if the bale isn't too heavy to carry, would be safer. But putting it down in the barn would have its own set of problems.

I'm puzzled: when I was a herdsman (in a previous life), the folk who delivered hay would put it wherever we wanted. I would think that your supplier would drive the 100 yards to your barn for the same price as to the end of your driveway.

ShaunRH · Mar 30, 2015

I'm with ShaunB here, use a trailer and the BX to load the trailer.

You can also buy what are called "Hay Dollies" which are just trailers meant for hauling these bales around, they can be used with regular trucks as well...

http://www.gobobpipe.com/2ez-one-bale-hay-trailer.htm
http://www.agvantagefarmandranch.co...ys-are-here-2014-01-3918/attachment/hay-dolly

North Idaho Wolfman · Mar 30, 2015

It's not advisable or safe to use a BX to move round bales no matter the size.
You would have been better off with a small skid steer or a larger tractor.
Best case your going to break something, worst case you going to hurt yourself or someone else!

Tooljunkie · Mar 30, 2015

Friends have a small ish green tractor, bales are stacked 3 high. Chain to drag off pile, and they try to carry with a spear in the front. Its near deadly. Her man wont hear of carrying a bale on the back end and doesent believe in ballast.

So do what you want intil it all goes bad.
No, seriously- a machine to handle the bales without risking safety of yourself or others is in order. If you are buying bales, you may be able to find someone making smaller ones.

bxray · Mar 30, 2015

Somewhere here deep in the forum someone else had the same question.
And someone had a picture and a link for a dolly trailer.
It was yellow.
Forks backed up to the roll and a winch rocked it back.
I saved a photo but can not find it.
Maybe someone can find it.
I will keep searching too.

Here is a different one.
http://www.agvantagefarmandranch.co...ys-are-here-2014-01-3918/attachment/hay-dolly

Ray

sheepfarmer · Mar 30, 2015

I'm thinking with 10 acres you probably are not thinking of having more than 5 cows or so, and then your life might be easier if you bought small square bales instead. The economics of round bales might matter if you are feeding many more. Easier to store, and with the right feeders, less waste. That way you can load a couple bales as needed in your bucket and take to the feeder, cut the strings and dump it in. In addition consider the design of your barns, shelters, fences, etc so you can feed directly without going in with the cattle in the dead of winter. And the one thing that has made my life bearable all these years in Michigan, heated automatic waterers. Good luck with your farm, it is a joy to have a spot like that.

roy2636 · Mar 30, 2015

ill see if i can find some smaller square bales

sheepfarmer · Mar 30, 2015

Up here there are hay auctions including loads of small square bales, but in almost any area the folks feeding horses will know suppliers making small squares. Boarding stables have to buy a lot of square bales, usually enough for the whole year in the summer. If a batch of hay is a little too dusty or a little moldy for horses, the supplier will sell it cheaper, and it is fine for sheep and cattle. Note I said a LITTLE moldy, not a lot.

D2Cat · Mar 30, 2015

Roy, if you're going to have 3 or 4 head of cattle for a few years and your tractor isn't big enough to move round bales, I'd suggest one of these if you already have a pickup.

Around here, right now, on Craig's list I can find big round bales of hay weighing probably 1200-1300 lbs for $25. Last years brome. Excellent for cattle.

Square bales usually weigh 60-70 lbs and cost usually $4. Might scout around and MAYBE find some for $3.50. They bring a little better then that at the sale barn every Friday.

In a 1300# round bale is more then 18ea. 70# square bales. Square bales at 3.50 X 18 bales = $63. $63 - $25=$38 difference per bale, (for same feed).

So, feeding 5 bales per cow for 6 mo/yr X 4cows =20 bales total for winter feed. 20 bales x $38 p/bale difference = $760 per year savings by feeding the big round bales.

If you have the pickup, the hyd/elec. bale mover will be paid for in 2 years. You can move longer distances in heat or AC !!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pickup-truc...388?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abd57e2ac

PS. You're probably going to need twice the hay I mentioned or you will have only 1 or 2 cows. 10 acres won't support more then that.

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