Hauling hay bale - GIF

[Jon]

Hauling hay bale.




Previously:

hay bale wrapper GIF
hay loading machine GIF

[Frank S]

Most guys now have switched to hydraulic spikes on the back of their trucks around here

[Ralphxyz]

Why bother with the hydraulic spikes? Just the cost compared to that simple grabber that works so well?

Of course I have not worked on a farm in fifty years, but back then we did not have a lot of money.

Ralph

[Frank S]

Ralph that self loading trailer is fine for transporting 1 bale at a time over a few miles but if just transporting from the stack to the feed lot it is a nuisance first you have to hook it to the truck then back back up to the hay row. get it near perfectly centered on 1 bale then take it to the feedlot usually now days there will be a feeder it needs to be dropped in this again requires maneuvering into position which is sometimes tight to get into. get out of the truck and pull the release get back in the truck and make it dump then drive off. Not too bothersome if that is what you have but mounting the spikes directly on the back of the truck is first off 10 times cheaper than building the grabber trailer, they can be powered by hydraulics or a winch either of which could be controlled from the driver's seat. He doesn't worry about having to back a trailer often at night with limited lighting many times there will be ice or snow or mud to deal with as well. HE just backs up to the row stabbing a bale as he does so. raises it up and drives away the added weight helps his traction he drives to the feed lot or feeder lowers the spikes and drives off never getting out of his truck. Some guys use a single spike others use 2 some can even stab the ends of 2 bales and haul 2 at a time when theyneed to haul more than that it is time to break out a goose neck trailer