JD 2030 w/ 145 loader ok for round bale spear?

Dromunds

Member
I'm currently handling my large net-wrapped round bales on the 3-point of a JD 2510 diesel, but would like to be able to lift the round bales higher on occasion. I'm wondering if my JD 2030 with a 145 loader would be too light to handle big round bales if I bolted a spear to the bucket? I have a weight box for the back of the 2030 and a some wheel weights, fluid etc. but wondering if lifting large round bales would be too much for the front end or the loader itself. I've seen where guys weld a 1/4 inch plate to the top side of their bucket and then drill holes to accept a bolt-on bale spear. Is this something I should consider for this tractor/loader or is it just going to be too much for the front end or the loader itself? Thanks much in advance for any advice.
 
Will also have to build a backstop on the bucket to prevent a bale rolling down the loader arms on top of you! Deadly situation if you don't!
 

DITTO on building a rd bale backstop.

Several yrs back I custom baled hay for a gentleman that required a ""wheelchair"" to get around because he raised a rd bale on forks as you have described & rd bale rolled back on him resulting in damaging his spinal cord.
 
remove bucket, put a spear for the loader and cause a lot less strain on loader and tractor front end...that extra 2 to 2 1/2 ft will add a lot of extra weight to front when lifting round bales..as far a weight on back just pick up round bale on 3 point
 
A "large round bale" can weigh anywhere from 500 lbs to 2500 lbs depending on size, density, etc... What size bale are you lifting?
 
I'm not sure the weight of the round bales, they are what we consider around here as large net wrap, I assume they are around 1200 lbs.
 
Before doing any modifications to your bucket or buying a dedicated spear, it's relatively easy to test your tractor to make sure it'll lift the bales safely. Pull up to a bale with your bucket tilted so the top and bottom lips of the bucket are pretty much even with the bale. Then just ratchet strap the bale to the bucket. It usually works best if the strap is slightly below the center of the bale.
I used to buy hay from a friend and that's how he moved all his bales. Painfully slow if you're moving a lot of them, but it works.
 

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