Questions on handling round bales

[daTeacha]

we'll most likely be taking pitchfork loads off a bale, putting them in a wheelbarrow and taking that into the pasture. Low tech - yes! .

This is where a grapple would be great! You could just grab a bite of the bale with the grapple and haul it to where you feed. No messy pitchforks, no nasty splinters from wooden handles, no walking in the mud, just seat time!

 

[texasjohn]

If it isn't too late, I'd strongly suggest you use a bale FORK, not a spear for your rear 3PH. It has two tines at ground level, you slip them under the bale and lift it up. A spike has only one use... for hay.

a rear fork can have a platform fabricated for it and become a carry all and used all year long.

 

[N80]

I've been following this thread, all the while thinking that the rancher down the road from my place always stacks his on their side. He has a huge barn and stacks them at least 3 high. I wondered how he did it since you guys have found that a spear won't penetrate through the side.

Last weekend I watched him. He has a bale spear on the front of a good sized NH ag tractor. He pops that spear right through the side with ease.

 

[mjarrels]

Like I posted before... my barn has them stacked 3 high on the flat side of the bales... large JD tractor with bale spike goes right into the side of a bale.

mark

 

[Greyfields]

One additional thing to consider. The hay guy could possibly be using a variable chamber round baler. You could always ask him to use a smaller diameter for baling at your place.