Digger for lifting bales of silage

What's an old digger?

Like a JCB 3c mk1/2/3? They are all pigs to drive for loader work but will handle bales no bother.

Or an old 3CX would be much more nimble and still able to handle bales. Any 2WD digger will have a much more heavy duty front axle than 2WD tractors.

How old are you considering and what sort of budget?

Massey 50b the most plentiful, JCB 3c's are more like piloting a small barge around a yard..... and a pain to get in and out off.

Case and John Deere a lot less common, and the Deere's in particular.

Parts harder to get too.

I'd looker a clean 50b witha torque gearbox and a working handbrake...

Yeah, no problem to her at all.

If you have uneven yards or rough lanes, keep the arms and bale low or you'll roll the whole show when you lock it round left or right.

Piloting a small barge while doing gymnastics inside if it's a manual one with a sloppy gear box, even more fun when the seat doesn't lock facing forward. The worst yolk for yard loader work but a great machine to dig, not fast but it won't budge due to its weight while digging a hole.

Pass a farm with a 2wd Case on my way to a place we take a cut of silage. Looks to have a very beefy front axle with higher and wider wheels. Has a nice solid curved weight that follows the curve of the back window. Great looking loader I think. Very rare to see one for sale on donedeal

3-6k is a small budget. You'll end up with something old and rough. Tires quality is important on these as you wouldn't feel dropping another 2k for a new set even for a 2wd yolk. The standard jcb or Massey 50b are pretty bomb proof engine wise so pay attention to the other parts like hoses, tires, rams etc

Have a 30e here. Will lift a bale no prob but wouldn't be tearing about the place. It's on its limit but have 1ton wt on back

Hay

They’d lift and push a house, but old cumbersome steering, slow but strong.

Very good 3 cylinder Ford 4000 engine.

Guessing a 580 something. Only see it from a distance from the road.