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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

what HP tractor

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Rngr

08-26-2005 10:55:37




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Ok. I am tired of having to depend on others to put up my hay and am going to start doing it myself by the time next hay season rolls around. What HP tractor do I need for small square bales? I have 20 acres of prarie hay. Looking for something like a 3010/20 JD. Is this overkill? I don't want to be under tractored. I know I need live PTO/hydraulics. Could I get by with a 35HP tractor for this? Is a compact to light for a square baler even though HP may be enough? Thank you

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Leroy

08-28-2005 10:16:57




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
A 3010 is 55HP, 3020 70HP, a smaller on like a 2020 55HP plenty, or even a 1020 38Hp is more than enough, a 29HP 420-430 will do that job with power to spare



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Hugh MacKay

08-27-2005 15:55:05




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
Rngr: 35 hp tractors have probably baled more hay across North America than any other sizes. I agree with Robert , stay away from the compacts. Haying the small square bale way has never been about horsepower but rather manpower. I baled 35,000 bales per year with Farmall 300, (rougly 35 hp) often doing as many as 4,500 bales per day and always pulled wagon. Remember getting the wagon empty for the next load is the big power requirment.

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Mike M

08-26-2005 19:35:46




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
If your on flat ground you may get by with a little tractor but if you have hills you better go with a heavier unit like that 3020.



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oliver power

08-26-2005 19:22:16




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
I know of an oliver 77 which has run a square baler just fine for years. Never had a problem



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Robert in W. Mi.

08-26-2005 16:48:37




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
You can run a baler with a compact tractor, but more than a few of them have had the pto fail from doing so.

The plunger in the baler takes it's tole on them, and the cost to repair a compact's pto will break the bank!!

I'd stick to a "farm utility" tractor for baleing hay.

Robert



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John (MO)

08-26-2005 12:18:43




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
A 3020 JD is going to be plenty big. I'd look more for a 4 cylinder tractor with say 45 to 50 hp. It'll run cheaper and still do the job fine. There are lots of different brands and almost all are a little less expensive to buy than the John Deere. Value, all depends on the codition of the individual tractor and the price you have to pay. Consider looking at the following tractors in addition to the John Deere:
4000 Ford, 5000 Ford, Allis D-17, 730 Case, 65 or 135 Massey, or a 1355 Oliver. Nothing at all wrong with the 3020 JD except they are usually pricey.

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MN Bob

08-26-2005 12:05:50




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
Didnt say what baler you had or was going to get, my JD 336 recommends a minimum of 35 HP. Go at least 45/50 to keep from working it to hard.



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dhermesc

08-26-2005 11:23:56




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
I've run a IH 440 baler with a 300 (34 hp), went a little slow but otherwise no problems. Given fuel prices the smaller tractor will do well when on the mower and rake. 3020 is about 63 Hp.



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MrNC

08-26-2005 13:07:24




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to dhermesc, 08-26-2005 11:23:56  
I agree a 300 farmall would work fine, however a 400 or maybe a 4-560 would be a better choice. All have good parts ability and are considerably cheaper than JD. 560 is pushing the overkill envelope a little but it may come in handy if you would ever wish to expand or use the tractor for more than haying. If you can find one reasonably priced, an IH hydro (544, 656 etc) would be extremely handy and would make a fine loader tractor as well.

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MH

08-26-2005 11:15:44




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
Lots of good old tractor would fit that bill. Yes a 35 HP tractor could handle a small square, but you would really be working that machine. More break downs. I would think that something around a JD 3020, Oliver 1650, IH 656 would give you ample power.

MH in the old North State



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Jerry/MT

08-26-2005 11:05:40




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Rngr, 08-26-2005 10:55:37  
I think 35 HP would be a little too small to run a baler with. I would think a minimum of 45 HP at the PTO is what you need, but don't hold me to that. Talk to a dealer about HP requirements for a baler or wait til some of the other folks reply to you post. Don't know the HP of the JD 3010/3020 is but you don't want to be too overpowered either. My neighbor has a 3020D and he uses it to run his mowco, to rake and to bale (small square bales) so i know that it will work.

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Illinois Boy

08-26-2005 14:26:56




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 Re: what HP tractor in reply to Jerry/MT, 08-26-2005 11:05:40  
Running a Ford 532 sq baler with a Farmall 350... probably around 40hp at the PTO.
No problems and does the job.



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