gf5205
Silver Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2005
- Messages
- 133
- Location
- Southwest Maine
- Tractor
- JD 5205 JD 5203 Ford 3600 JD 850 JD 755 Kioti DK65
With apologies to Robert for stealing his thread title!
My wife and I bale about 4500 small squares on 30 acres. Currently we stack on hay wagons pulled behind the baler. We sell about 3000 off of the wagons and put about 1500 up an elevator into our barn.
We've always relied on friends and family for help stacking on the wagons and in the barn. We're in our late 50s, and I know I can't go all day the way I used to, especially in hot and humid weather. What's worse is that my youngest nephew graduates from high school this spring. He and his older sister have been great crew members for years, but I have to find an alternative.
I always figured that we'd end up with a kicker and kicker wagons, but wasn't looking forwards to it. I find it a pain to unload them and the bales don't always hold their shape. Then I heard about bale baskets, accumulators and bale wagons on this board, and started investigating.
Bale baskets would be good for our own hay, but not very good to sell out of.
I don't make heavy and consistent enough bales for a balewagon, and my customers don't want 60 pound bales.
That leaves the accumulators. I don't want one that drags the hay over the ground. Our bale length can vary quite a bit and I think that the Kuhns will handle them the best.
In any event, I ordered a 15 bale accumulator, grabber and 2 9x20 foot wagons. I also ordered the WR Long 3rd function kit and a skid steer carrier for my loader. Wish me luck.
Greg
My wife and I bale about 4500 small squares on 30 acres. Currently we stack on hay wagons pulled behind the baler. We sell about 3000 off of the wagons and put about 1500 up an elevator into our barn.
We've always relied on friends and family for help stacking on the wagons and in the barn. We're in our late 50s, and I know I can't go all day the way I used to, especially in hot and humid weather. What's worse is that my youngest nephew graduates from high school this spring. He and his older sister have been great crew members for years, but I have to find an alternative.
I always figured that we'd end up with a kicker and kicker wagons, but wasn't looking forwards to it. I find it a pain to unload them and the bales don't always hold their shape. Then I heard about bale baskets, accumulators and bale wagons on this board, and started investigating.
Bale baskets would be good for our own hay, but not very good to sell out of.
I don't make heavy and consistent enough bales for a balewagon, and my customers don't want 60 pound bales.
That leaves the accumulators. I don't want one that drags the hay over the ground. Our bale length can vary quite a bit and I think that the Kuhns will handle them the best.
In any event, I ordered a 15 bale accumulator, grabber and 2 9x20 foot wagons. I also ordered the WR Long 3rd function kit and a skid steer carrier for my loader. Wish me luck.
Greg