Farmwithjunk said:I've only been around one "tumblebug". It didn't have hydraulics to raise the bale. It required locking up the wheels and backing up to lift the bale. It had electric brakes, but they were wired "full on" or "full off". Brake was controlled via a toggle switch on a magnetic mounted controller that you could extend into a pick-up cab or place on a tractor fender. (Plugged into cig. lighter/power outlet) It wasn't DOT approved for hyway use so it was treated as a farm implement. I saw it used to move a 4'X4' round bale with a Volkswagon Jetta.
I am not familiar with this machine. This post makes the most sense. An easy check is to look at the trailer brake backing plate. If the brake wire is behind the axle, the brakes are for forward travel. If the wire is ahead of the axle, the brake will be actuated in reverse.