Bale Handling

[Robert_in_NY]

I agree it is expensive but was an option not mentioned. It would be possible for him to start custom baling like a friend of mine does out in Wisconson. He runs a MX 220 with Case-IH big baler and is all he does to keep up with his jobs during season. All he does is bale for people and build 1/64 toy models during the off season. So it is possible for him if he talks to some people first and gets a judgement if the local farmers would pay for his service. There is also a local farmer near me who bought a couple used Fastracs and a brand new New Holland big baler to do the same thing. He had enough interest to make it worth it as most farmers don't want to tie up that much money.

But for doing his own land I would just get a NH bale wagon and build a proper shed for storage (not all of us are as fortunate as cowboydoc /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

 

[Egon]

Betcha the Doc isn't fortunate. He's got enough stuff on the go that finacial planning gives him an edge on taxes.

Egon

 

[DelawareDale]

To answer your question how many bales a day, my personal record is 3800 in one day by hand with ten wagons a driver with a 14 year old boy and a 124 massey baler. Alfalfa and orchard grass, third year on the stand we get 5 cuttings a year here if the weather cooperates.

 

[5030]

Old Hickory:

I never really counted. We have loaded 5 semi trailers with squares in one shot and consumed quite a bit of Budweiser in the process. I try to stay away from that kind of labor. Like I said, we have migrants for the work. I'd rather drive the tractor or the semi.

Round wise, I think the best run we ever had was 330 rounds in about 9 hours. Nice thing about rounds is that the only time I get out of the tractor is to change twine. We don't net wrap any bales.


I have looked at a bale un-roll system that was recommended to me by the MSU Extension agent. CowboyDoc is right about the cost. It's right in there with a Bale Bandit. The advantage of rounds to squares is storing the rounds is easier, less manual handling (all tractor work) and you can really custom bale for a customer right in the comfort and weather protection of your own barn.

Just for a kicker, I measured the width of the NH manure spreader I have and it's bed width is about 6" wider than the nominal width of the rounds we run. If I nosed down the spreader and added a pony motor to the PTO shaft with a clutch arrangement, the spreader would un-roll the bales nicely. All I'd have to do is be able to feed the square bailer off the back of the spreader which would require some sort of conveyor system not unlike a press unloading conveyor. With the conveyor running under the pickup on the square bailer (bailer elevated), I believe the system would work. Since the manure spreader is paid for (a long time ago), my only outlay would be for the conveyor and a frame to elevate the bailer. I am scouting stamping shops I deliver to in hopes of a 5 foot wide short conveyor. When I find one, I'll put the system together. I figure the total cost will be in the area of about 3K. That's my kind of price.

 

[Old_Hickory]

There are more and more round bailers around here,kids do not want to work anymore,my son was home from college last summer and I have an old friend who bails a lot of square bales and I send my son over there to help him,so he would have an appreciation of manual labor (not to mention helping the old guy out).
You definately put up a lot of hay,how many bales go on one of the semis?
When you get your bail unroller finished post some pictures please.

 

[jimg]

Yup, when I was growing up (east TN) putting up hay was a good and lucrative source of income for a boy (far better than yard work). Afternoon rain was always a threat and farmers were happy to see us working fast and furious to make sure none of his crop got wet. They usually appreciated that and rewarded us. I loved doing it too. Away, as time progressed, kids preferred to stay air conditioned and the labor pool got really tight. Too bad b/c they missed out on some really great fun!

 

[rockinmywaypa]

5030 Why wouldn't you leave the manure spreader exiting just over top of the pickup teeth of the baler? I would think that a lot of leaves and other dry chaffy stuff would not get picked up if you try to run a conveyor under.Have you considered using an orbital motor with flow controls to drive the spreader apron. This would allow one tractor and all controls on that tractor. I have been thinking along the same lines but to chop dry rounds through a forage harvester to mix with corn silage.

 

[5030]

rockinmywaypa:

I like your site name. Rock in my way of the mower is hard on the cutter bar!!

Actually, I lean toward under simply because the round will unroll as a continuous leaf of hay. Over might work too. All options are available but I know the guy who builds the system I want to mimic has patents on it. On the orbital motors, the conveyor would be orbital, but the spreader is PTO driven anyway. The apron chain delivery speed can be adjusted by means of the pawl drive. Besides, you could vary the PTO speed to achieve the same result. I don't want a tractor hooked to any part of the contraption. I'd use an independent hydraulic power pack with an electric motor drive and put cylinders on the conveyor end for height adjustment.

I'd also want to set the unit up in as little space as possible, probably a permanent installation in the barn. I'd also use a conveyor system similar to a bale conveyor for off loading the bales from the bailer to the truck or loft.

As the bale unrolls, you really don't want to re-bale the fines. I'd prefer them to just drop off the conveyor end.

 

[5030]

Old Hickory:

47 rounds on a 45 foot semi trailer. Stacked 2 layers high. I like to sell by the trailer load. Less handling.

I though I'd include a picture to make you think of warmer weather. Just try to smell the hay, I know you can.

 

[Old_Hickory]

I can smell the hay,feel the sweat and the hot sun and the sweat bees.
I can also see the dust rolling of the back of the bailer and hear the baler doing its thing.
The cab looks nice on the tractor.Thats the job I want driving the tractor.