Hay Stacking block/tackle grappel hook set up.

[powerscol]

Was out trying to stack hay last night and there has got to be a way to do it easier. I need to lift bales 8' to get to the top of my stack. I was lifting stair steps up each row of bales, and it got old quick. Its just me doing this. I have a metal building with good c-channels holding up the roof. My idea was to use a clamp on the c-channel and hang a simple block and tackle with a hinged hook (like the old ice block hook) to lift a single bale so I can stack.

I can find the clamp and a simple double block, but I cannot find a simple hinged grapple hook that will work on a hay bale (open at least 18" and sit down the side of the bale, or possibly something to lift by both strings. I guess I could use two hand hooks and some sort of 3 ring set up under the block.

I do not have the skils or equipment to fabricate this, so if you know of any sources for what I need, please speak up. Harbor freight and Granger have the block/tackle, ring set up I can use, but I have found no hook source yet that will work. I have also looked locally into the antique hay hooks, with no luck.

Thoughts?

 

[aczlan]

I usually make a plateau at 3-4 bales up and toss the a half dozen bales up to there. Then I go and up and stack from there.
Less climbing stairs that way and much faster than a pulley and hook would be.
If you have the space, a hay elevator also works well.

Aaron Z

 

[CobyRupert]

A short tube steel / chain hay elevator?
Would ice (block) tongs or log tongs work? The chain type log tongs? 55 gallon barrel lift hoists?

 

[Jerry/MT]

Was out trying to stack hay last night and there has got to be a way to do it easier. I need to lift bales 8' to get to the top of my stack. I was lifting stair steps up each row of bales, and it got old quick. Its just me doing this. I have a metal building with good c-channels holding up the roof. My idea was to use a clamp on the c-channel and hang a simple block and tackle with a hinged hook (like the old ice block hook) to lift a single bale so I can stack.

I can find the clamp and a simple double block, but I cannot find a simple hinged grapple hook that will work on a hay bale (open at least 18" and sit down the side of the bale, or possibly something to lift by both strings. I guess I could use two hand hooks and some sort of 3 ring set up under the block.

I do not have the skils or equipment to fabricate this, so if you know of any sources for what I need, please speak up. Harbor freight and Granger have the block/tackle, ring set up I can use, but I have found no hook source yet that will work. I have also looked locally into the antique hay hooks, with no luck.

Thoughts?

There's no way I can tell from here whether your roof would support what you are attempting to do.
My advice is to get a hay elevator. I 've used the "stair step method" for 80-90 pound bales and it works well. But I'm a little long in the tooth to do that now.

Another alternative is to get a few friends (the ones that wear a number 46 jacket and a #2 cap) , ply them with an adequate amount of beer, and then let them hand you the bales. Or better yet, you supervise them as they pass the bales one at a time to the top of the stack (grin).

 

[GPintheMitten]

Is the top of the stacked hay 8 foot high? If it is and your in good shape, it's easier to throw hay up than carry it up a stair step of hay bails. You have to use good ergonomics. Grab 2 strings, swing back and then swing them up at speed and let loose as you bring it up. With practice, it's actually easy compared to other ways.

You may not be able to get to the top row when standing on the barn floor but if you are unloading it from a trailer, farm wagon or truck, you're already standing about 2 feet up so you only have to get the bail up to about head level.

 

[zzvyb6]

What about using an old hay ejector or kicker pan from a NH or JD baler ? Not sure what your hay storage arrangements are, but if they have to go up, an elevator either chain or belt type is traditionally used. But, having a kicker pan sending them flying would earn you extra points.

If I was to use a simple block and tackle system. I would opt for a frame to lift 8 or 10 at a time in a layer and then drop the layer on the previous one. There are some grapple frame systems that do this in the field. Then they use a front loader frame which clamps on the layer to load it onto a stack or a trailer/truck.

 

[CDennyRun]

Is the top of the stacked hay 8 foot high? If it is and your in good shape, it's easier to throw hay up than carry it up a stair step of hay bails. You have to use good ergonomics. Grab 2 strings, swing back and then swing them up at speed and let loose as you bring it up. With practice, it's actually easy compared to other ways.

You may not be able to get to the top row when standing on the barn floor but if you are unloading it from a trailer, farm wagon or truck, you're already standing about 2 feet up so you only have to get the bail up to about head level.

This^^ I'm 5'9" and have stacked 6 high using this method with CA red oat (100lb bales) back when I worked at the feed store. Hay hooks can be a good help too. If you leverage them properly, you can fling those babys up pretty high.

Or you could use the FEL on your CT. Curl the bucket forward, and stack three or four bales on it, lift and presto! Much faster than lifting individual bales with ropes and hooks.

Chris

 

[kidr]

I rigged a carry all with a deck to replace the bucket on my fell. Loading 12 bales at a time eliminates a lot of climbing.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I rigged a carry all with a deck to replace the bucket on my fell. Loading 12 bales at a time eliminates a lot of climbing.

I would do this long before I tried block and tackle for a mere 8 ' lift.

 

[MMagis]

I have to agree with others, seems like way overthinking it for a small stack of bales. Worst case, hire a couple of 15 year olds.