Moving small bales - bad back

[CobyRupert]

Now the poor man's version is you get off and hook the strings yourself. For one or two bales at a time, just attach a couple snaplinks to your bucket somehow and clip them onto the strings. For bigger loads, I think what I would do is put a pointy end on a bunch of rods, and run the rods through several bales and under the string. Then figure out a way to join the rods together and lift the whole load. I think maybe a 2x4 with holes drilled in it for the rods to go into at each end of the load would do it. I suspect that manually hooking the bales wouldn't take that much longer than having a grapple, it can be frustrating precisely locating an implement that's way out in front of your tractor, especially if you're working in close quarters.

:thumbsup:
Interesting!!

I think the rods, or snap links would have to catch or go under both strings so that the bale doesn't bust open if just one gets pulled off.

Heck, couldn't OP just run one rope (or straps, etc..) under 2-4-6-? (skies the limit) bales that are side by side and make a loop that goes over over FEL forks just above the bales. When you lift the FEL they'd all squeeze together on the loop and come along.

 

[Stancoll]

Any chance you have a link to this? Yeah there is zero suspension. I think the two little springs under the seat have an inch of travel if that much......

Mine was made for the Bobcat, but what I'd do is check with your dealer and see what they have if any. Other than that check with Tractor Supply or Agrisupply or someone like that. It may be a universal fit, but odds are you can make it work. Just protect that back ,you only got the one. A cheap fix would be a air cushion similar to people that are bound to wheelchairs. They are cheaper and work very well. I have used them, the only problem is they set you up higher in the seat, which might or might not be a good thing,

 

[TheMan419]

:thumbsup:
Interesting!!

I think the rods, or snap links would have to catch or go under both strings so that the bale doesn't bust open if just one gets pulled off.

Heck, couldn't OP just run one rope (or straps, etc..) under 2-4-6-? (skies the limit) bales that are side by side and make a loop that goes over over FEL forks just above the bales. When you lift the FEL they'd all squeeze together on the loop and come along.

Now this is the kind of thinking that I like! I am going to explore this idea. Imagine this.... I have straps I can use for just this purpose.

Even if I can just grab 4 at a time that would be useful.

 

[TheMan419]

Mine was made for the Bobcat, but what I'd do is check with your dealer and see what they have if any. Other than that check with Tractor Supply or Agrisupply or someone like that. It may be a universal fit, but odds are you can make it work. Just protect that back ,you only got the one. A cheap fix would be a air cushion similar to people that are bound to wheelchairs. They are cheaper and work very well. I have used them, the only problem is they set you up higher in the seat, which might or might not be a good thing,

Gotcha. I have seen seats at TSC when I am there. I will investigate. My 70+ yr old father will appreciate it too when he runs the bush hog I am sure.

 

[BigBlue1]

So to answer a few of the questions in this thread....

The tractor is listed in my profile.... NH Boomer 24. The bucket is NOT quick detach.

Stall barn is like 100 ft from the hay storage barn.

Currently the hay guy brings his skid steer to stack. He uses the kuhns 10 bale graple. String side is down. I am not sure my tractor could lift 10 bales and the grapple even if it were a quick detach bucket.

I don't know specifics about the capacity of your tractor's loader, but that NH model looks pretty similar to a 2-series JD (i.e. a 2320 or 2520 or 2025R). I have a 2520 which has a loader capacity of around 1100#. With a 300#+ set of pallet forks my tractor can move at least 15 small squares at a time on a pallet. So I don't think 10 at a time would be a problem for your tractor even with a grapple. I doubt a grapple would weigh THAT much more than my pallet forks.

Rob

 

[quicksandfarmer]

:thumbsup:
Interesting!!

I think the rods, or snap links would have to catch or go under both strings so that the bale doesn't bust open if just one gets pulled off.

Heck, couldn't OP just run one rope (or straps, etc..) under 2-4-6-? (skies the limit) bales that are side by side and make a loop that goes over over FEL forks just above the bales. When you lift the FEL they'd all squeeze together on the loop and come along.

Yes, definitely hook both strings on every bale.

1. No harm in trying, and the only way to find out is to try.
2. The twine will hold a bale -- otherwise I'd never get them into the barn -- but not much more. With a loop, I'd worry that the ones on the ends would be out at an angle, which would put more strain on the twine. On the other hand, OP is only going 100 feet with them. And see Point #1.

 

[LouNY]

One thing I might be tempted to try seeing as how you don't have a SSQA bucket is a pair or two of the inexpensive light duty clampon bucket forks,
with two pair (4) mounted to a bucket a person might be able to slid them under your bales and pick up about 3 at a time.

 

[kthompson]

We bale small square bales and use hay grapple for 10 bales at the time. Very common. First forget using the strings, if a string breaks the bale will spill on you and there is manual work. If bales are not tight and you are not careful lifting by the strings they still can spill apart.

You need to match the pattern his implement is so you are able to unstack what has stacked but you will be lifting a 700 pound implement and 800 pounds of hay and not sure your tractor will do that. Also no idea it has the reach to the top of your stack but that must be considered.

My quick thought is see if your hay guy is willing to come back and unstack them onto pallets you can move. You may need to build pallets to match the size of the 10 bales. Your tractor capacity will determine how many layers of bales you can stack on a pallet. You would need a lot of pallets.

With the size of operation you have is there no one who would help with this for some horse time?

To use a grapple remember you will need a third hyd capacity to operate the cylinder.

 

[TheMan419]

We bale small square bales and use hay grapple for 10 bales at the time. Very common. First forget using the strings, if a string breaks the bale will spill on you and there is manual work. If bales are not tight and you are not careful lifting by the strings they still can spill apart.

You need to match the pattern his implement is so you are able to unstack what has stacked but you will be lifting a 700 pound implement and 800 pounds of hay and not sure your tractor will do that. Also no idea it has the reach to the top of your stack but that must be considered.

My quick thought is see if your hay guy is willing to come back and unstack them onto pallets you can move. You may need to build pallets to match the size of the 10 bales. Your tractor capacity will determine how many layers of bales you can stack on a pallet. You would need a lot of pallets.

With the size of operation you have is there no one who would help with this for some horse time?

To use a grapple remember you will need a third hyd capacity to operate the cylinder.

I looked at getting the same grapple he has. Since no detachable bucket no dice. Also the weight issue would have been marginal at best. Getting the same grapple was my first thought.

We do have help and likely the real long term answer is getting swmbo comfortable operating tractor. The help she has is during the week when I am at my day job. So I would not be around to operate the tractor.

She can operate tractor I think she is just more scared of it than anything.

 

[powerscol]

I looked at getting the same grapple he has. Since no detachable bucket no dice. Also the weight issue would have been marginal at best. Getting the same grapple was my first thought.

We do have help and likely the real long term answer is getting swmbo comfortable operating tractor. The help she has is during the week when I am at my day job. So I would not be around to operate the tractor.

She can operate tractor I think she is just more scared of it than anything.

Can you describe the bale configuration with the grapple he uses? Does he cross stack? The use of pallets is a great suggestion. I store my hay on pallets (free at most wheelhouses, etc) You could have him stack on pallets and figure out how much you can lift with some bolt on pallet forks. You would insert pallets as needed so you could take a block out at a time. Just thinking here.

 

[tcreeley]

This looks good - Hoelscher Model 5 Hay Fork

 

[jaxs]

We do have help and likely the real long term answer is getting swmbo comfortable operating tractor. The help she has is during the week when I am at my day job. So I would not be around to operate the tractor.

She can operate tractor I think she is just more scared of it than anything.

The use of pallets is a great suggestion. I store my hay on pallets (free at most wheelhouses, etc) You could have him stack on pallets and figure out how much you can lift with some bolt on pallet forks. You would insert pallets as needed so you could take a block out at a time. Just thinking here.

Why can't the help do this and you could use bucket forks to move pallets after work and/or weekends?

 

[bruceha2000]

I'm not to keen on what to do with the spearer or otherwise but you mention trouble with your back. Something you may need to consider is a suspension seat for the tractor in lieu of your present seat. From the pix I've seen of your tractor on line its basically the same as mine. It has two heavy duty springs under it for suspension which you know the tractor has no suspension so you get all the bump and bounce up through you back. I'm changing mine soon.

Does the 1526 have the same rotating seat for using the backhoe as the 1533? I've no idea if the seat can be easily swapped out for a suspension seat or if a different seat would inhibit the rotation.

I looked at getting the same grapple he has. Since no detachable bucket no dice. Also the weight issue would have been marginal at best. Getting the same grapple was my first thought.

We do have help and likely the real long term answer is getting swmbo comfortable operating tractor. The help she has is during the week when I am at my day job. So I would not be around to operate the tractor.

She can operate tractor I think she is just more scared of it than anything.

Most likely she would get comfortable pretty quickly if she had some supervised practice The only "tractor" I'd ever driven before getting a real tractor this summer was my 24 HP Craftsman garden tractor (tractor in name only!) and while there was a learning curve, I've managed. I'm not scared of it but I'm cautious.

 

[TheMan419]

Why can't the help do this and you could use bucket forks to move pallets after work and/or weekends?

That is also a good work around.

He has a Kuhn痴 10 bale. It is 2 across the top long ways. Then two rows of 4 across going 90 degrees from the two long ways. He stacks them so the 2 across change where they are north, south, east, west so each layer of the stack is different.

So one layer looks like


!! !!
!! !!

They are in stacks 7 high because of how tall/short the barn is.

But yes easy solution is the young strong teen age help pulls them off the stack and puts them on pallets. I can then use forks or carry all to move pallets after work.

 

[sd455dan]

That is also a good work around.

He has a Kuhnç—´ 10 bale. It is 2 across the top long ways. Then two rows of 4 across going 90 degrees from the two long ways. He stacks them so the 2 across change where they are north, south, east, west so each layer of the stack is different.

So one layer looks like


!! !!
!! !!

They are in stacks 7 high because of how tall/short the barn is.

But yes easy solution is the young strong teen age help pulls them off the stack and puts them on pallets. I can then use forks or carry all to move pallets after work.

If the helpers are there at least a couple times a week pre-staging a couple pallets and some chain on or clamp on pallet forks to the tractor should be workable and not break the bank.

My back isn't what it used to be either and we switched to large squares because of this for our families horses.
Save money on the hay purchase and also barn space to.

 

[Handloader109]

Geez, you have pallet forks. You have young teen help once a week.
Have the kid Stack 9 on std pallet 3x3. (Maybe more, Its been a while since I worked with square bales). Start with 4 or 5 pallets worth. Or two weeks supply. 45 bales, what? Maybe an hour if he is lazy..... then every week stack either 2 or 3 pallets to replenish. Again, maybe 30 min tops per week. You can pay him 3 to 10 years for what the implement costs you..... move at your convenience to horses.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Geez, you have pallet forks. You have young teen help once a week.
Have the kid Stack 9 on std pallet 3x3. (Maybe more, Its been a while since I worked with square bales). Start with 4 or 5 pallets worth. Or two weeks supply. 45 bales, what? Maybe an hour if he is lazy..... then every week stack either 2 or 3 pallets to replenish. Again, maybe 30 min tops per week. You can pay him 3 to 10 years for what the implement costs you..... move at your convenience to horses.

I think you're on the right track. Most pallets aren't quite the right size for bales, what I would consider is a wooden rack sized to bales that sits on top of a pallet.

The other consideration is what to do with the bales at the other end. Ideally you'd want something where you can get them into the feeder without ever lifting them. Or maybe I'm overthinking it. OP said 21 bales a week, that's 3 a day, or one and a half at each feeding. It might be easiest just to cut the string and carry as many flakes as you can to the feeder.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I try to offload as much of the horse chores onto my wife as I can get away with. They are her horses, and I figure she might decide to downsize the herd if the work gets to be too much. Having said that, I see to end up with the heavy lifting. I move round bales with a bale fork a couple of times per week and load about 33 small square bales into the truck bed from the barn loft once per week. We have 8 horses in two different locations, and the at-home horses get the round bales. If I throw out my back (as happens a couple time per year), loading/moving bales becomes somebody else's problem!