Hauling hay bales

KFD68 · Jul 28, 2012

1960's 3 ton trailer with front "rave" and rear extension platform.

1960's bale grab - small hydraulic ram squeezes in the sides to grip the bales. 2 springs help pull the arms back open

Bales stacked into 5's

1958 MF 35 4 cylinder diesel tractor with rops frame. Neighbours help {after tea} loading the trailer and stacking bales in barn

paul · Jul 28, 2012

Neat pics.

I only see single bales, not stacked into 5, so not quite sure how the bales are stacked to be grabbed reliably.

I'd not like that roll bar on the tractor, any taller person is looking for a big headache the way that is designed!

Was maybe the 1970's before roll bars and smallbale accumulators become popular here in the USA, our bale accumulators often seemed to use twisting hooks to pick up a layer of bales.

Now for large round bales you see a similar squeeze type of rig to pick them up, works well for plastic wrapped silage bales.

--->Paul

KFD68 · Jul 28, 2012

"I only see single bales, not stacked into 5, so not quite sure how the bales are stacked to be grabbed reliably."

Answers =

The stacks of bales are in the background of photo #2 behind the bale grab

Stacks are made of 2 bales north/south and 2nd layer 2 bales east/west, and if they are available a single bale north/south on the 3rd layer. It all depends on the grouping of the bales in the field, 4's or 5's.

The MF35 & loader are old and low lift capacity. Larger tractors and loaders would pick up 7 bales. This system was made before Flat 8 systems were invented.

The 2 lower box sections on the grab squeeze the bottom layer of bales quite tightly; the loops stop the bales falling sideways.

This system is used by an old farmer who only harvests 30 acres of small hay bales which he sells to horse owners locally.

Hauling hay bales

KFD68

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paul

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KFD68

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