Loader Turns Old 2670 Into Handy Hay Handler

Loader Turns Old 2670 Into Handy Hay Handler BALE HANDLING Bale Handling (31B) 24-3-25 Feeding cattle is a lot faster since Steve Reinhardt, Russell, Kansas outfitted a 1976 Case 2670 4-WD tractor to carry three big round bales at once - and more if he wants it to. On the 2670's 3 pt. hitch, he mounted a bale fork that will hold two bales easily and up to four if he puts duals on. Then he built a front-end loader, patterned after another loader he owned, to carry two more bales up front. Since he had a loader to copy, building it was no problem. He bought flat steel, cut the pieces with a torch and put it together with a wire welder. The tough part was mounting it on the frame of the 2670. "I also built the lift cylinder for it myself," he says. "I chose a 2670 for this for several reasons. First, it's built sturdy enough to handle all the weight. Second, it's shorter than other 4-WD tractors so it's more maneuverable. It already had a 3-point hitch, so it was easier to put the bale fork on the back. My local Case dealer gives me good support. It has larger tires for a better ride. But mostly, it was less expensive than other 4-WDs with similar horsepower," he says. Steve's hay handler cost less than $7,000. He paid $3,000 for the 2670. It needed some work on the rear end, which cost him another $250. Steel for the loader was around $2,000. Finally, he put another $1,500 into hydraulic cylinders and hoses. "A lot of guys are using big payloaders to handle hay. My 2670 will handle more bales and was a lot less expensive," he says. Steve would be happy to talk with anyone about how he built the loader. He'd put plans together for a nominal charge if there's interest. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Steve Reinhardt, 18032 Fairfield Road, Russell, Kan. 67665 (ph 785 483-3815).

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