Hi to all - Currently have a '93 SLT 3/4 ton Cummins - would like to trade up to a 5500 4x4 and take advantage of the automatic transmission/PTO provisions. Does anyone have info on the PTO's capabilities? I have read on Dodge’s 5500 site the PTO is capable of 35 HP & 135 lbs. of torque – problem is I don’t how that would compare to other PTO provisions. Is that minimum capacity or outstanding? Much of the time the truck will be used as a work/farm truck/personal use truck, however there is a task that I would to as well. Some of the local farmers use Freightliner’s FL-70 with an in front of radiator PTO aux.hyd. Pump - I would like to consider the new HD Dodge.

Specifically here’s what I’d like to do:

• During the hay season - tow a hay stacking trailer off road (hay field) that picks up & stacks 6-1300 lb. bales each trip.
• Trailer & Hay weight = 17,000 pounds
• Hydraulic requirements – much the same as a 125 hp farm tractor * Live in-cab PTO switch *4 in-cab remotes/valves * 2500 PSI @ 30 GPM

My thought is simple – remove the need for extra field equipment and find a vehicle proficient in many different chores. So when the hay is ready – simply hook on to the trailer – pick up the hay & go home.

Anyway, any hydraulic and/or 5500 4x4 advice will be appreciated.

Mike
imthomas@nwi.net

 

Just to play devil's advocate on this - I seriously doubt that you can match the hydraulic output of a large tractor with a PTO pump on a truck. I could be wrong and somebody please correct me if that is so. However, if you only need one or two cylinders moving at one time then it might be able to handle it. Reservoir size would have to be taken into consideration.

Plus there is the weight and gearing issue - a 125 size tractor will outweigh the truck by probably a ton at least and has the gearing to handle that kind of weight going down hill. If you don't have hills then a moot point, though. Traction is also going to suffer with the less aggressive tires and fewer pounds on the truck.

And how does a stackwagon transfer weight as it is loaded? Since the weight goes to the back of the deck to start will that take weight off of back of truck or is it a 4 wheel wagon and that is not an issue? If it is then will the tail wag the dog in certain situations?

Interesting application you are considering.

 

Not certain on the 5500 but on 3500 and 2500 autos the pto attaches to the transfer case. Problem with this is the pto rpm and rotation direction is dependent ground speed and direction unless you put the transfer case in N. Might not be a big deal in your application but don't think a hydraulic pump would take kindly to accidentally getting rotated backwards.
A manual tranny pto only rotates one direction, which gear you're in makes no difference in pto speed, only engine rpm.

I read a few years ago of custom hay harvesting outfit in the Columbia Basin of Eastern Washington that pulled all their equipment: swathers, rakes, balers and pickup wagons with a fleet of 3500 CTD Rams. Their advantage was they were harvesting fields hundreds of miles apart, too far to road a tractor.
I'll see if I can find the article again...

 

Thanks for the feed back - you bring up good points and the last thing I'd like to do is invest 50k + into a overgrown pickup that doesn't work. As to Pro-ags reservoir requirements they say 25-30 gallons. The MF 6420 4x4 tractor I used this season weight is 12,000 lbs. - Pro-Ag say at least 10,000 vehicle weight is required & what some are doing is adding additional weight over the rear axle - I've attached a link that offers a short video clip (scroll down towards the bottom of the page) to see the process linked to a Freightliner.
http://www.morris-industries.com/pro...?product_id=23

If you happen to have a spare $185,000 check out Stingerltd.com - this Cummins powered stacker will do close to 1000 tons per day - if you have ever hauled hay - this will impress you.

As to the custom hay harvesting outfit in the Columbia Basin of Eastern Washington - they actually pass through our area as well - today he uses 12 or 13 Ford F-350 - I think :-(

Once all things are considered - on a scale of 1-10 is this 5500 4x4 a good idea in your opinion?

Mike

 

On tractors, the PTO speed is independent of tractor speed. You may have to run the truck in a certain gear and speed to get good results to match the PTO requirements. You would have to stop into a truck accessory place that deals with PTO options to see if it is even possible for what you want. There is PTO info in the Dodge Body builders guide. It appears there is a mobile option for running the PTO while moving. If you find out you need to operate the truck in the 2000-2200 rpm range would you be happy doing that?

http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/200...dm/dcdmpto.pdf

 

Okay - just got off the phone w/a Seattle based PTO supply shop & the word is - the 5500 will not have the capacity & wherewithal to handle my stacking demands - so I'll need to focus my attention towards a Freightliner or International class 6 trucks.

Thanks so much for the feedback and help. Mike

 

I pulled this link from another thread. It has an available bale grapple but I would think a spear could be arranged cheaper. I believe the boom is rated at 2000 lbs. It's not exactly what you want but it is interesting.

http://www.payeur.com/En/products/Wheeler.htm