We ordered one this past weekend, so will have all the information soon. (brand, address, etc.) The flat bale beds are nice too, we just weren't ready to give up our bed. I think the price on our bumper (including overloads on our F250, both installed) was around $2100. We hope to sell our DMI bumper to help offset this cost a little.<p>A bale bumper replaces your existing bumper on your truck. The bale bumper has two long round hay forks (which may be removed) that are operated by a hydraulic pump. A controller unit is located in the cab of the truck. The forks can pivot slightly below horizontal to "stab" a bale and then you control how high to pivot the bale. You can buy (or make) a stop to prevent the bale from riding too close to your truck bed.<p>I'm not sure if they are mainly used on large farms. We own nearly 1000 ac and rent another 60 ac. However, this 60 ac is a few miles from our other farm. At this point, there is no winter water source on this 60, but the owner is putting a pond in this spring with a drinker and we are hoping to winter cattle there this year. We only have 2 tractors (we rent our crop ground out), 1 diesel & 1 gas. The gas tractor (no cab) fits in a shed in our cows' lot. The diesel (w/cab) is about 1/2 mi down the road. The 60 ac has no electric. Should we ever rent or own other ground, this bale bumper should allow us not to have to have a tractor at every place. You can also drive your truck faster than a tractor on the road. Control and safety has not appeared to be any problem. In fact, it is safer - especially when our 2 yr old son wants to go too (or anyone else for that matter). 2 in any tractor is not a good idea.<p>Our neighbor probably has about 400 cows spread over about 10 miles. He doesn't store hay at all locations. He just picks up a bale and takes it to a place whenever he goes that way and sets it near a gate. It appears to work out very well. During calving season he is checking cows several times and has the opportunity to move a bale in the process. It is easier to check cows from his truck too, that way if he needs to do anything with a calf he has all of his equipment in the truck.<p>We should have the bumper in about 2 weeks. If you would like any other information, just let me know. Will let you know how it works out.<p>Jennifer
<br>
<br><hr size=4 width=75%><p>
[email protected]