safe/fun way to offer hay rides?

[GaryS]

We're hosting the neighborhood block party at our place in a couple of weeks and I was "volunteered" to offer hayrides. I have a tractor and trailer and what to do this safely.

What I plan on doing:

1. My trailer is a Big Tex 35SA. I plan on adding plywood sidewalls but I'm not sure what to do across the back of the trailer.
2. I have a 3point trailer hitch but I'm going to get the ball connected to the draw bar.
3. I'll buy enough hay to cover the floor of the trailer & some bails to act like seats.
4. While we have some fun hills, I'll stick to a gentler course.

What else do I need to do to make this fun & safe? What do you think I sound do about the rear gate on the trailer?

gary

 

[tommu56]

I was on one like it last weekend and they used a 2" ratchet strap to bind the bails together in the center and 2 more on the ends to tie them down so people were siting back to back in the center of the trailer with 2 or 3 foot at the end with no bails.

tom

 

[thatguy]

I would run away from that idea as quickly as possible.. one small 'incident' and you could open up yourself for a huge lawsuit..

IF you decide you are want to do it, i would see about adding a rider to your insurance to cover any liability..

just my ideas, but Im a belt and suspenders type of guy..

 

[BillBeyer]

I pull a 4 wheel wagon with sides, break the bales and put in bottom of wagon. Everyone sits on loose hay and leans on sides if necessary. No bales to sit on, they sit on loose hay. In back I left opening to climb thru and then have ropes going to 2 eyebolts to close opening after loading wagon. One adult in front and one in back of wagon at least when hauling kids. Yes it is a chance but so is having company over for a picnic.

 

[sweettractors]

What else do I need to do to make this fun & safe? What do you think I sound do about the rear gate on the trailer?

gary

We do the same deal 1 time a year at Halloween, Check that you are covered under your farm owners or homeowners policy before you start. Ken Sweet

 

[dmccarty]

The scary thing to me about hay rides is the hard usually thin edged walls of the trailer or wagon. Someone falling and hitting their head on the edge is going to be in a world of hurt.

I have seen some hay ride setups that gave me the willeys.

I have thought about giving hay rides if we ever had a big party AND we had a wagon or trailer,, but our land is just too rough. I don't think it would be fun. And I don't know how I could make it safe with the lay our land.

Later,
Dan

 

[AlanB]

I suggest 2 adults on the trailer that are responsible for safety and designated and told and know that they have a responsibility.

I suggest you insure that your 3 point is mechanically locked down (or in position) in some manner, there are multiple ways to do it, I have some sliding bars that lock together, I have heard / seen folks do it with a chain down to the fixed draw bar, but you need some manner of having the 3 point not come up as you go over a bump or people shift to the back of the trailer (assuming you are hooking on the three point arms not the fixed draw bar) Sorry, I just reread and saw you addressed that, but will leave this in so if someone else does not catch the significance later they will have a reminder.

As to the insurance etc. it is all a risk. Last party we had guns, alcohol and backhoes going........... Everyone has a different tolerance and acceptance of risk and responsibility.

 

[dmay]

We're hosting the neighborhood block party at our place in a couple of weeks and I was "volunteered" to offer hayrides. I have a tractor and trailer and what to do this safely.

Where will you be driving your hayride? On your private property or public streets? Check your liability insurance covers you.

For your trailer I would suggest you place the bales in the center and arrange into seats with backrest. Strap your bales so they stay together. Then the 'rules' are to remain seated at all times. You can decide whether to arrange the bales so people sit facing front/back or facing each side. I would also enlist a responsible person to be on your trailer at all times to assist riders getting on, off and staying seated during the ride. That way you can focus on watching where you are driving.

 

[RobertN]

I have hauled Cub Scouts in parades a number of times.

I had four bales that the kids sat on. EVERYONE was SEATED, or else the float did not move. I had an adult walking on either side. Anyone broke the rules, they were off the float and walking with the Cubmaster.

In a couple spots, the parade people wanted to speed things up. I refused; the kids safety came first.

I took it easy, went slow, and made sure everyone knew the rules BEFORE we started.

The kids won first place a couple times for the floats. They had a blast.

One thing I would note, driving a gear tractor, I had to be very diligent to slip the clutch, lest the tractor lurched forward.

I connected directly to the drawbar; no 3pt connection

Stay off the hills. A trailer full of people is heavier than you think, and can push the tractor

 

[GaryS]

I was supposed to do this at last year's party but on the day of the party I blew a hydraulic line. I'm gonna do it this year.

All of the driving will be on my land and I'll go real slow. I'm most likely going to spread the hay in the bottom of the trailer. I don't know how to affix the bales to the bottom of the trailer and I don't want them to move at all. I live in western PA and all we have are hills around here. I'm planning the gentlest path possible.

thanks for all the advise.