Which telehandler?

bht · Dec 9, 2018

Looking for some advice, currently use a loader tractor for all thing loader, but now getting too approx 1400hrs per year and it is quite cumbersome compared to a handler.

It would do all the loader work involved with 250 cattle, feeding (tmr), mucking out, bedding with a small spread a bale etc etc. Currently 1600 silage bales, but ideally something that could buckrake behind a forage wagon.

Would it be possible to lead silage or staw bales with a hydro pivot steer style machine? weidemann schaffer etc. Think a JCB TM320 would be too physically big.

Would be looking for good used or new, anybody got any experience with Weidemann 4080,5080T , schaffer 6680t or jcb 526. Concerned about the visibility on a rigid machine, but like the idea of being able to use it to lead bales back to the yard appeals.

Current tractor can provide 60lpm of oil at the third service which is adequate for the spread a bale but would like to increase. Any idea what to expect from something like a JCB 526?

bert · Dec 9, 2018

Get some demo's on the go, I would think your best keeping the loader tractor for leading the bales back really. Can't see why a JCB 320 would be too big when you are used to a loader tractor.

bht · Dec 9, 2018

Would normally always intend to use the loader tractor to lead bales, but there are times in the summer where an extra machine to lead bales would mean the tractors could be used elsewhere.

Looking for something a touch smaller than the 320 both is size and cost really. Whilst the loader tractor manages it can't get under some sheds at the edge and is quite cumbersome.

JJT · Dec 9, 2018

How far will you be carting bales and how big a trailer? I don't find telehandlers as bad to tow with as a lot on here make out. Merlo 32.6 here does 1200hrs a year doing very similar work to you, even buckraking to wagon silage last summer. Only thing we don't do as many bales as you. But we do cart about 1200 bales of straw but only within 3mile radius. Loader very rarely gets put on tractor now. Buckraking is on it's limit and have to really push to keep up, would look for a machine with 140hp+ ideally.

Headless chicken · Dec 10, 2018

Weidemann won’t manage on the clamp. 320 on small tyres would be my choice of the options

Bald Rick · Dec 10, 2018

TMs are rubbish at towing
We are going to fit front duals to ours for clamp work so can get tight to the sides. Expensive though

Do around 3000hrs a yr and would never go back to a loadall as far easier to use. Reach is the only limiting factor but more than covered by shove

bert · Dec 10, 2018

I would try a TM before ruling it out for been too big, we run a JCB 541-70, 1000 hours a year on similar tasks to yourself along side a 125hp loader tractor doing 700 hours. JCB can tow well upto 10 ton, then you want the loader tractor on the job.

To lead bales when there is 2 of us we use the smaller trailer on the JCB and the big one on the loader tractor, if there is a long lead a loader in the field and one in the yard with tractor's and trailer's running in between work's best.

As for visibility you soon get used to the size of it. I would miss the reach and lifting power of ours if i went any smaller.

aidan · Dec 10, 2018

JJT said:
How far will you be carting bales and how big a trailer? I don't find telehandlers as bad to tow with as a lot on here make out. Merlo 32.6 here does 1200hrs a year doing very similar work to you, even buckraking to wagon silage last summer. Only thing we don't do as many bales as you. But we do cart about 1200 bales of straw but only within 3mile radius. Loader very rarely gets put on tractor now. Buckraking is on it's limit and have to really push to keep up, would look for a machine with 140hp+ ideally.

I presume it is a fork rather than a buckrake you put on the Merlo when buckracking

What you pushing up from to put it on its knees, I see wagon silage, how many wagons 2 or 3 or just a single wagon, curious about how many tonne in an hour a 32.6 would clamp when the clamp is nice and steep, Irish conditions in mind.....

bht · Dec 10, 2018

Ok wil have a look at the 320 again, towing capacity isn't everything but would add some flexibility in the summer. Majority of bales are withing a couple of miles so a smaller trailer won't hamper output much.

Have you found your merlo to be reliable? Had ruled them out for that reason

Bill the Bass · Dec 10, 2018

TM is considerably more expensive than a 526, is it really going to be that much better for what you are doing?

JJT · Dec 10, 2018

aidan said:
I presume it is a fork rather than a buckrake you put on the Merlo when buckracking

What you pushing up from to put it on its knees, I see wagon silage, how many wagons 2 or 3 or just a single wagon, curious about how many tonne in an hour a 32.6 would clamp when the clamp is nice and steep, Irish conditions in mind.....

Yes just a fork not a pushoff buckrake. One wagon, had a couple on demo last summer. 1st cut had our 185hp tractor on 2nd cut came with Massey 7720 tractor on. Only do 100ac first cut. 75ac second, 30ac right next to pit, the rest 1.5mile away. As I said could do with a bit more power ideally, but I was managing to get it pushed up and rolled.... Just. It was hard on it (and me!) though. Wouldn't like to do a lot of buckraking with it.

JJT · Dec 10, 2018

bht said:
Ok wil have a look at the 320 again, towing capacity isn't everything but would add some flexibility in the summer. Majority of bales are withing a couple of miles so a smaller trailer won't hamper output much.

Have you found your merlo to be reliable? Had ruled them out for that reason

On our second 32.6 Merlo now. First one did 6000hrs in 5 years. It's first year was hellish for breakdowns but thankfully under warranty and Merlo gave us an extra 6 months warranty, by that time it had settled down and wasn't a lot of bother after that. This second one has been a lot better. On 5000hrs now and just had a couple of oil pipes, a couple of track rod ends and the air can pump is currently siezed up. Can't comment on the new models though, haven't heard much about them with regards to reliability.

bht · Dec 11, 2018

Bill the Bass said:
TM is considerably more expensive than a 526, is it really going to be that much better for what you are doing?

To be honest that is why I was looking at something like a Schaffer or jcb tm220 as I guess it would be similar in cost. Saying that we are looking new or used so could go a bit older if it would be far better.

HarryB97 · Dec 11, 2018

bht said:
Ok wil have a look at the 320 again, towing capacity isn't everything but would add some flexibility in the summer. Majority of bales are withing a couple of miles so a smaller trailer won't hamper output much.

Have you found your merlo to be reliable? Had ruled them out for that reason

Have a 40.7 which has been faultless and is used everyday of the year, unbeatable visibilty and very small physical size as well. The flat mudgaurds are also fantastic for string, net, buckets of feed and any other 'stuff' you want to carry around. Also has stepped axles and on demand diff lock. Will tow a load of straw as well as any other forklift but an equally sized load of silage bales will make it struggle. Brakes can be an issue for seizing up and setting on fire and not many of the older series have a rear break kit on. Have a neigbour running 2 that are used everyday and tow everyday doing 1500 hours a year each and they've been faultless as well.

Bill the Bass · Dec 11, 2018

bht said:
To be honest that is why I was looking at something like a Schaffer or jcb tm220 as I guess it would be similar in cost. Saying that we are looking new or used so could go a bit older if it would be far better.

JCB TM220 or other equivalent makes and models wont tow effectively - I don't think they even put PUH's on them, so its not really like for like. we demo'd Schaffer and Wiedemans equivalent of a TM320 and didn't really get on with either. Schaffer is a long, numb, noisey heap of a thing and the Wiedeman was just plain awkward to get in and out of.

Decent second hand TM310's -or 320's are a like hens teeth as they are generally on high hour user dairy farms, at least that's what we found when looking for one. Stuck with a 526 in the end - the last one served us well, I think you have to be shifting some serious tonnage of stuff to justify a big pivot, the lack of reach also goes against them for us.

sanderzo · Dec 13, 2018

We are currently pricing up bendy handlers. Jcb 320 is best value but too big for us. Schaffer 8620 was crazy money. Currently waiting for a weidemann quote. We have ran a weidemann 4270 for 4 years running up 5200hrs and apart from a few minor things has been faultless. It's still on original tyres with plenty of tread left. A 5080 weidemann would cope fine on a pit, the hydrostatic transmission is awesome at pushing and it's under 2m wide!

sanderzo · Dec 13, 2018

I would forget about towing with one though!

Sparkplug · Dec 13, 2018

bht said:
Looking for some advice, currently use a loader tractor for all thing loader, but now getting too approx 1400hrs per year and it is quite cumbersome compared to a handler.

It would do all the loader work involved with 250 cattle, feeding (tmr), mucking out, bedding with a small spread a bale etc etc. Currently 1600 silage bales, but ideally something that could buckrake behind a forage wagon.

Would it be possible to lead silage or staw bales with a hydro pivot steer style machine? weidemann schaffer etc. Think a JCB TM320 would be too physically big.

Would be looking for good used or new, anybody got any experience with Weidemann 4080,5080T , schaffer 6680t or jcb 526. Concerned about the visibility on a rigid machine, but like the idea of being able to use it to lead bales back to the yard appeals.

Current tractor can provide 60lpm of oil at the third service which is adequate for the spread a bale but would like to increase. Any idea what to expect from something like a JCB 526?

What do you currently buckrake with?

Dman2 · Dec 13, 2018

https://www.tractorsandplant.com/product/jcb-320s-t4f-pivot-steer/

Timbo · Dec 13, 2018

Dman2 said:
https://www.tractorsandplant.com/product/jcb-320s-t4f-pivot-steer/

How much ?! Better off buying new on jcbs 0% finance and enjoying the service n warranty package!!

Which telehandler?

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