Tractor Rear End Failure from Square Baler?????

I seem to recall several years ago reading a thread about one of the larger compact tractors, might have been a MF or Kubota, had some kind of rear end failure while running a square baler. It seems to me like the rear end casing broke from the constant shock load of a square baler rocking back and forth. Furthermore, the tractors warranty wouldn't cover it as the tractor wasn't designed for that type of use and the owner was out of luck.

Anyone remember such a thread?

Reason I'm asking, my brother was looking at a Kubota gear drive L4600 and I mentioned if he ever wanted to square bale, he might ask if the tractors rear end can take it.

IMHO - compact tractors are getting bigger in size and hp, crossing over into utility tractor territory, but I'm not sure they're as heavy built.

Do any of these compact tractors, even the larger ones, warn against using a square baler or other traditional farm tractor implement in their manuals, else void the warranty?

Thanks!
Bill

I have read that several of the mainstream manufactures will void the warranty on the PTO and rear end driveline on their compacts if it has been hooked to a baler.

Now which mfg's and what the hp size cut off is for each mfg I do not know. I am not even remotely in the realm of a new tractor being a possibility for me so have not researched it at all. If I was buying new then it should be an easey enough question to simply ask.

I have read in the archives on this site of people breaking the PTO gears and rear end housings on Case VAC's, case 200 series and I think even Case 300's series tractors when baling. I believe the 200 and the 300 models used a VAC type rear end.

I have run my little NH65 baler with my Kubota L285 compact tractor (26.45 PTO hp). IMOP my little baler put less stress on the PTO driveline than the 5' bushog does cutting tall weeds. By the same token, I have zero interest in hooking a bigger baler to my little tractor either. I know the herky jerky will only increase with bigger plunger sizes of bigger balers. Now that I have other tractors besides the Kubota I simply use them instead as they are built much heavier and I bought them cheap so even if baling is still hard on them, I am out very little moneywise.

Actually, It does not surprise me the manuf being so willing to void the warranties. Look how a small air impact can loosen or tighten a bolt due to the whammy/jerky action alone. Cheap lightweight tractor, with small gears maybe not really hardened with top quality processes in order to save on costs just might not fare all that well over time with the jerking shocks of baling.

I remember it, but not the details. Only reason it stuck in my memory is dad had a kubota and I knew I didn't want it destroyed.

That's funny. I know a guy who has baled with a cub low boy for years. Tractor stops with each stroke of the plunger.

No notes in our kubota manual about it. Have about 30-40,000 bales on a JD336 with our 42 pto hp L5030.

They used to show an L4200 with a baler behind it in some of their literature.

(quoted from post at 22:38:33 01/11/15) I seem to recall several years ago reading a thread about one of the larger compact tractors, might have been a MF or Kubota, had some kind of rear end failure while running a square baler. It seems to me like the rear end casing broke from the constant shock load of a square baler rocking back and forth. Furthermore, the tractors warranty wouldn't cover it as the tractor wasn't designed for that type of use and the owner was out of luck.

Anyone remember such a thread?

Reason I'm asking, my brother was looking at a Kubota gear drive L4600 and I mentioned if he ever wanted to square bale, he might ask if the tractors rear end can take it.

IMHO - compact tractors are getting bigger in size and hp, crossing over into utility tractor territory, but I'm not sure they're as heavy built.

Do any of these compact tractors, even the larger ones, warn against using a square baler or other traditional farm tractor implement in their manuals, else void the warranty?

Thanks!
Bill

Click to expand...

I would call Kubota and ask about that particular tractor then you know for sure.

Not running a baler but I know where there is a large Kubota that the rear housing broke apart spreading manure.

I know Kioti puts a "caution" in some of their manuals....