Bale Basket Wagons

The advantage seems to be that you could take the bale basket to the barn, "dump" out the bales, and let the kids put them in the barn while the bale basket goes back to the field.

If you've bought them, where did you get them and what was the cost?

Thanks,
- Jim H.

My brother likes to unload within a day or two with the baskets otherwise the bales take a set and are hard to work with, especially on an elevator. This is the case with the throw racks too if you leave them on too long.

I do like the fact that you can unload the baskets quickly at the barn and be back baling quickly. Cost has not been too much of an issue but around here we can pick up used 9 x 16 wagons for under $1000. I've got the shed space to get quite a few wagons under cover so that's the way we've gone.

Here's the setup I use, a '45 M, a 214T baler and a EZ trail wagon. I lucked out and found one for sale just a few miles away for $1,800. They are still worth the price new. Virtually no maintenance. I can get about a 100 bales in the wagon, but when it gets close to full I climb up to toss a few bales towards the back so I can get about 20 more in. You can get extentions for more capacity, but I wouldn't do that if you have hills. I say go for it.

This is my rig. You got a little more hp, but I really love the TA and independent pto - makes baling fun. Lot of folks under estimate that IHC 300.

--->Paul

Cost: Asking about $2000-2500 these days, at auction I see them sell $500 - 2000. They are rare somewhat, so if you want one & see one, you have to bid. Depends how many other people have the same idea that day..... ;)

They work fine.

Unloading, they make a messier pile than I was hoping, if you open the gate & drive away,t he kids will be carrying 1/2 the bales some distance - not a nice tight pile. I tend to open the gate & pull the bales off, don't need to carry so far. But, if your kids need to burn off some energy, good plan. :)

Mine is a ProQuality too. Older style. Was $1600 at auction with a hitch for a NH baler. Some balers allow the hitch to swing directly centered below the chute, some you need a bit of a hitch bracket to move the pin hole there.

In slippery stuff like straw or dry grass hay you have to make sweeping corners, alfalfa you can turn about as short as normal.

Doesn't like bumpy rides like the road ditch bank with field approaches to go over, up & down so extreme - at least need to plan your windrows a bit.

Overall happy with it.

--->Paul