Will a Merlo pull bale trailer?

[DrDunc]

I make and cart my own silage bales, about 1200 a year. I've a 100hp loader tractor for the job, but I'm wondering if a merlo would be able?

I pull 14 bales on the trailer, and one on the loader. My tractor is rarely above 10 mph on the job, but some fields it's a five minute pull up to the steading. Will the hydrostatic drive cope or overheat?

What will the merlo tyres do in wet silage fields?

 

[Jim B]

Which model Merlo?
There is a lot of myth associated with hydrostatic transmissions and towing. It will tow it, although not as quick as a tractor, and probably not as quick as an equivalent size telehandler with a mechanical/power shift transmission. As for over heating, I don't know where that comes from, they use the same transmission in the Multifarmer (the one with three point linkage) and people are pulling ploughs with them?

We have a 40.7 (140 hp) and that tows no trouble, although all our fields are within a mile and a half of the farm.

 

[grumpy]

yes

 

[DrDunc]

I was thinking a 34.7, or a wee 32.6, though I'd want a demo to see if it's man enough.

A 40.7 seems too big a capacity considering it's a two tonne loader on a 100hp tractor I've got......

 

[Jim B]

A 34.7 Plus is the same to look at physically as a 40.7, just the fact it has a 140 hp (instead of the 34.7 Plus' 100 hp) and it has a higher output pump.

As for tyres they come standard on Mitas cross ply, but you can spec them on radials which will perform better in the field. Radials are not as good for yard work as cross ply they will slightly de-rate the lift capacity (which I can't understand because it doesn't for JCBs!)

 

[SilliamWhale]

Can I ask what damage towing does to a torque converter?

 

[grumpy]

Can I ask what damage towing does to a torque converter?

merlo dont have one,

 

[SilliamWhale]

merlo dont have one,

I know. But does towing make any difference to torc converter lifespan?

 

[grumpy]

I know. But does towing make any difference to torc converter lifespan?

http://www.ehow.com/info_11368486_hydrostatic-vs-torque-converter-transmission.html

and yes

 

[chickens and wheat]

32.6 will struggle on the hills, ours slows to a crawl on the local hill with 5 tonnes+ trailer fert behind, luckily its a short steep hill. trailer brakes are vital even if only manually operated using pick up hitch spool.

 

[TomB]

Unless your trailer is of a 4 wheel/dolly type design you might struggle to lift a loaded trailer with the puh. Had this trouble with jcb 530-70 and 25 foot trailers. Unless you need a telehandler for something I would stick with a tractor loader, perhaps upgrade to one with a vario box, running costs of telehandler a seem high to me.

 

[Exfarmer]

Would not touch a merlo
Had one for a day on trailer hauling
Gave up up after the first load

 

[grumpy]

Would not touch a merlo
Had one for a day on trailer hauling
Gave up up after the first load

well you must be the only one,merlos are the rolls royce of teles these days.

 

[masseyjack]

well you must be the only one,merlos are the rolls royce of teles these days.

Awfully slow hydraulics though other than that they're good

 

[Clever Dic]

Just had a new one P7 140 with cab suspension it really makes a difference I can see it being top machine for field loading but its hard to use on pallet work as very swift reactions to joystick. I have older smaller machine for handling pallets in yard. Had 5 in total now don't even price others now.

 

[Henery]

The new model will do 12 kph plus in low range, and they are unstoppable in low. They tow very well, wouldn't be worried at all.

 

[Salopian_Will]

They will tow but it can be a fairly horrid experience. Having just completed a 68mile round trip with nothing more than a wooden 5t trailer loaded with pallet tines only with our 32.6, it became a crawl at anything other than a modest slope.

I would have said the increased noise and discomfort would be the biggest downside from going a tractor loader to a telescopic. You will be at nearly full reves 100% of the time to make good progress. Boom suspension makes for a surprisingly smooth ride though.

EDIT: We find that the breaks are crap. They are dry and will loose efficiency very quickly, even without a trailer. Not that you need them much.

 

[Jim B]

Unless your trailer is of a 4 wheel/dolly type design you might struggle to lift a loaded trailer with the puh. Had this trouble with jcb 530-70 and 25 foot trailers. Unless you need a telehandler for something I would stick with a tractor loader, perhaps upgrade to one with a vario box, running costs of telehandler a seem high to me.

I can lift a 24 ft trailer full of D1000 bales with the PUH on a Merlo straight forward enough. By full I mean stacked a couple of layers higher than the dripples too.

They will tow but it can be a fairly horrid experience. Having just completed a 68mile round trip with nothing more than a wooden 5t trailer loaded with pallet tines only with our 32.6, it became a crawl at anything other than a modest slope.

I would have said the increased noise and discomfort would be the biggest downside from going a tractor loader to a telescopic. You will be at nearly full reves 100% of the time to make good progress. Boom suspension makes for a surprisingly smooth ride though.

EDIT: We find that the breaks are crap. They are dry and will loose efficiency very quickly, even without a trailer. Not that you need them much.

The 32.6 would probably struggle only being 100 hp, but I see what you mean it struggles a lot more than a 100 hp tractor! 40.7 with 140 hp is more up to the job!

The new models have power brakes which are a much better job! Yes they're dry but easy to change pads if they wear out, but as you said you hardly need to use the brakes!

 

[neilo]

As posted, it depends on the slope. I hauled all our hay, straw & silage in with my 32.6 no bother, but all pretty flat. I don't recall having to go not low range at all, but would have to on a slope. In low range, it will pull & pull. I was pulling 18 bales and two on the front with hay/straw, 14 & one on the front with silage.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Get a self loading bale trailer if you short staffed