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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Haywagons... How big is big enough??

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Joe in IN

10-07-2005 13:41:29




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BillOH got me thinking back to my wagons....

I only have two and need more or need more/bigger ones... I was throwing around the idea of a 24 footer using extruded Aluminum I-Beams as my runners(strong light weight). I'm having a hard time getting my engineers(friends from college) to tell me if the beams I can get will hold the weight.

Anyway, One poster(In BillOH's thread) mentioned he will wish it was bigger. How big would a haywagon get before one would wish them to be smaller?

I was pondering a 8X24. With 3 foot bales That is 8 bale lengths, 6 On a row and 6 high this would be 288 bales or 17,280 pounds(60lbers)(336 if you stacked 7 high but that is getting crazy..20,160 lbs). Is that too much and too big? This would be trailed behind the baler and hand stacked. I'm not talking the lazy method of baling(accumulator, loader and grapple)...

Wow would I like to build two of those puppies have 550 - 600 bales on them(combined), back them in the barn and stack the next day when it is raining...

So what is best wagon size??

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mike brown

10-09-2005 16:26:13




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
We use a Deere baler with ejector and I build 10'x20' wagons and it's hard to fill the back and when the wagon is full it is hard on the baler. You have to pull all that weight through the baler and the tongues are not usually up to that kind of tug and push.



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Leroy

10-09-2005 08:10:23




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
Ours were all 16' except one that was 18' and that was too long a walk, one person could not do that and keep up, and if I was doing it now they would be 14' with more wagons to have the same amount of bale capacity but small is easier handled and I think also safer and you could own 5 16' for what it would cost you for 2 24", 80' of load space for what it would cost for 48' of load space.



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Myrl(PA)

10-08-2005 06:17:38




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
I have some real steep fields and 8'X16' is what I build all my kicker wagons and that seems to be the most stable of any size I have used. Of course that is behind my 1950something JD 214T baler and my model A tractor so maybe with bigger more modern fuel sucking equipment bigger wagons may be better.



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RickL

10-08-2005 05:46:13




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
Here is different angle that works for me I use accumulator grapple system and use the old donahue implement trailers for all my hay wagons. 28ft long putt 44bales to layer go 5, 6, sometimes 7 high all depends on weight and if I am in hay or straw. Currently have 7 of them will have 11 is goal as I never unload while baling they get loaded and tarped usually sold off before baling next patch. I also am able to use them for alot of other projects etc. Otherwise I would go back to the bale basket wagons period,would not even consider the hay rack option,as I ran 4 of the basket units before going to accumulator system and loved them. It s what ever works for ya thats all that matters. Here is the other item with the trailers that has worked for me is they are way cheaper usually to buy then a hay rack. $900.00 has been my highest priced one and it looked like the day it was made always shedded etc.

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Kent in NB

10-08-2005 05:19:20




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
Our newest wagon is 8'x28'. Holds 26 5x4 round bales. On a tandem running gear. All steel,heavily built. Has a very wide stance and is difficult to turn,(front tirestend to oversteer). Great for long hauls. We have been thinking about putting a steel mesh deck on it, as straw suppliers are getting farher away, and semi's are too expensive.



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Don-Wi

10-07-2005 19:37:08




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
We own 4 8x16's, and we borrow another 8x16 and 8x18. The 18'r is nice. I can get about 200 bales on a norml day, 225 if I go 1 or 2 higher. I will ussually go 6 or 7 high depending on how much we have to bale and how many wagons we have on hand. our bales are just shy of 3', so we stack them 3 wide across the wagon and 4 high, then start to taper them in, going 2 wide 1 long, working my way up. Sometimes I go 5 high before I start the taper. I plan on building 2 more wagons 8x16 as we already have the stringers from a pair of chopper wagons. I did one like that already, using stringers from an old Rex, and boards from 2 other wagons that were shot. Total cost was 2 gallons of paint, a few more 2x6's and the box of nails. Donovan from Wisconsin

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kyhayman

10-07-2005 17:16:02




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
I build 7.5x20', seems to be the most popular length in this area. Longer than 20' gets to be a long walk (plus finding longer runners is tough). I have build some 24' on steel 8" C channel. Didnt care for them, but the guy who ordered them liked them.



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Nathan (SD)

10-07-2005 18:25:39




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 all kinds of bales here in reply to kyhayman, 10-07-2005 17:16:02  
We have 8x20 flats with no backs. We bale small squares, 5x6 rounds from IH 8480 and 4X5 rounds from OMC 590. 11 4x5 bales or 8 5x6 bales or 160 squares are all a good load for them. 3 hooked together going down the road looks like a train.



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RustyFarmall

10-07-2005 17:00:52




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
The length can be as long as you want, but the width cannot be over 8 1/2 feet and still be legal on the road.



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Tractor Dan

10-09-2005 14:45:59




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to RustyFarmall, 10-07-2005 17:00:52  
its farm equipment it dont matter how wide it is



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Michael Soldan

10-07-2005 16:22:27




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
I like Casey's comments,walking 24 feet to the back with a bale is a long walk for all day. A 10 is too wide and just takes up more space. I have three 8x16 and they work well for me. A neighbour had me build an 8x16 for him.I stack laying one across, then one lenghthways then one across, fits nice on an 8' rack. As you go longer you stress your sills and your running gear needs to be considerably stronger. I manage 120-130 bales on a load, around three tons. These wagons go up in the barn or into the shed easily because of their manouverability..24x10...hmmm?....Mike in Exeter Ontario

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Joe in IN

10-07-2005 16:29:37




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Michael Soldan, 10-07-2005 16:22:27  
I currently have 8X16's... I get five a row... across, length ways, across. Fits nice. Was thinking of putting two length ways and letting the ends hang over about 6 or 7 inches to get six a row....

My thought was since I am the manual labor to get big wagons to have fewer so as to not be switching wagons all day, have fewer wagons and have to back less in the barn. My backing skills need work as it is...

24 feet is a long way to walk...

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Farmerboy

10-07-2005 15:14:19




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
There's a 9X24 footer running around here. Seems the baler (the guy running the baler or the machine itself) can't throw them all the way to the back. Ends up in a heap in the middle with a big hole in the back. This rack is on a 16 ton tandem axle running gear and has a steel cage. It has 2 6X6 beams running the length and 4X6 beams crosswise and 2X8 floor boards. All lumber is full dimension oak. The entire rack seems to be a rock solid unit.

On the other hand, my FIL built a wood cage 24 footer and regrets it. The weight of the cage was too great and he was constantly patching busted boards. It was also on a 1065 running gear. I think that's a 7 ton unit. Way too light for the cage.

If you do it, don't bother with the aluminum runners and go 9 foot wide. I also wouldn't recommend a wood frame cage.

Let us know how you do...

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J.C. IN AZ.

10-08-2005 16:55:57




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Farmerboy, 10-07-2005 15:14:19  
When I was Farming in the 60's and 70's I had 4 Racks on 6 ton Case Gears measuring 8' w. x 12' l.all of Wood construction, and stacked the Bales 6 Bales high. Of course it was not hard to find some boys who needed extra Money to help with haying. How times have changed since then.



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farmerboy

10-07-2005 15:18:13




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Farmerboy, 10-07-2005 15:14:19  
Oops, I missed you're hand loading it. You might wanna consider that you're gonna be running 24 feet with bales on a flat rack. You'll need two guys on the rack to keep up...

As far as being lazy, we have a thrower due lack of available labor. Hard enough to find guys to mow it let alone stack it on a flat rack behind the baler.



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Joe in IN

10-07-2005 16:23:47




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to farmerboy, 10-07-2005 15:18:13  
All manual for me... My 61 year old mother on the tractor and me slinging bales... Need to do that for about 3 or 4 years to pay things off(hopefully) then might try a thrower... I have 20 acres so not too much, but plenty to tucker me out....

More interested in a bale basket though, seems like a cheaper alternative and would accomplish the same..... ...



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paul

10-07-2005 19:50:40




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 16:23:47  
Bale basket is nice if you have a _big_ door in your hay shed. I don't, but I still like it.

You don't want to run bales 24 feet to the back of a rack. Make 3 of them, 14 or 16 feet long.

Think of the weight you are putting on your hay field. If it ever rains.....

Would be too big for me. I like about 125 bales or so on a hayrack. Enough of a load, enough walking with bales.....

--->Paul

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BobMo

10-07-2005 15:06:59




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
Joe, I'm deeply offended by the fact that I'm 64 years old and put up 6000+ bales per year, stacked in the barn by myself and use an accumulator & bale forks you think I'm lazy. I suppose with line of thought I shouldn't use my sp mower conditioner either but rather a hand sickle. I'm in this for the money not the exersise.
Using a dump rake with a buck rake, stationary baler and pitchforks must be more your style. I suppose you also think a bale wagon is completely out of the question and must be the height of laziness.
Well, God bless you even if you are offensive and tactless as we know it takes all kinds to keep the earth turning.

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Joe in IN

10-07-2005 16:17:36




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to BobMo, 10-07-2005 15:06:59  
Whoa there big guy!! That remark was in jest.... Let's all keep our humor with us.....

If I had the money or the acres to afford an accumulator/loader/grapple you better believe I would have one....


It's the lazy way because I'm not able to have one. If I were, it would be the smart way, the only way...

Relax.... I didn't mean to offend anyone...SOrry if I did. This board is not for offending people... Please don't read any posts with Red/Green or Ford/Chevy discussions you might be offended.

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BobMo

10-07-2005 17:22:22




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 16:17:36  
Apology accepted!!!



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caseyc

10-07-2005 14:07:03




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to Joe in IN, 10-07-2005 13:41:29  
a 9'x20' is my ideal size. both of mine now are 9x16. ones i borrow are 10x20 and 10x24. 10' is too wide, 8' is too narrow. the 24' was too long for my situation. i might build one 10' wide for easier hauling of round bales though. i will use nothing less than a 8 ton gear, the 10' wide one will be a 12 ton.

casey



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tim[in]

10-07-2005 19:27:54




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to caseyc, 10-07-2005 14:07:03  
wow i thought my 7x14 was big. its 7 feet inside the sides. that is the widest i've ever seen around here. seen a few longer.



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caseyc

10-08-2005 05:58:43




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to tim[in], 10-07-2005 19:27:54  
growing up in WI all we had were kicker wagons. they were probably 9 or 10 by 16'. out here in SD nobody has kickers on their balers so all the wagons are flat racks. i have yet to see one less than 9' wide, most are 10'. lenghths vary greatly.

casey



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tim[in]

10-08-2005 13:50:26




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 Re: Haywagons... How big is big enough?? in reply to caseyc, 10-08-2005 05:58:43  
i think a lot of the size around here is the local farmers being practical and thrifty also used the same wagons for grain harvest, especially picking corn . since a lot picked corn with mounted pickers, the wagon needed to be wide enough to fit behind a picker. my granfather used 40" rows but with a pull type picker.most used 36-38" rows and to fit behind the tractor and mounted picker without disturbing the adjacent rows or knocking the ears off.plus i think most didnt want or couldnt afford to buy the extra wagons for each different type of crop so our midwestern general farms had general use wagons. one neighbor before he retired bought a gravity bed wagon just one for his 168 acres but continued using his 3 wooden box bed wagons with the false engates till retirement.

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