Yeah, the one in that pic is way higher than I would consider "safe". But I knew someone that used one to load bales onto a deckover trailer, it worked well. Of course he didn't lift the bale until he was backed up to the trailer.
I've got one of those little Tumble Bug hay buggies that we used quite a bit years ago. Really handy, it breaks in half when you back into the bale then you lock the brakes by turning on your headlights and drive foward which loads the bale. Unloading is just the opposite. I'm a believer in the bale bed though. They're kinda like a skid steer. Once you get one you wonder how you lived without it. I can load a bale in less than a minute. I've fed 2 -3 rolls a day during feeding season for the last 4 yrs with a bale bed. I only use the tractor if it's really muddy. We unroll net wire with it, hang gates, pick up heavy stuff, move concrete feed troughs, etc. Deweze makes an extenda arm bed that would definitely load hay on a trailer.
I don't have a bale bed but it's on my list.
I have figured out that I misunderstood his question. What I used was a triler rig pulled by a tractor. It had a hydraulic arm that loaded bales on to this trailer. It was a pretty slick rig. It hauled 10 bales at a time. You could move a lot of hay in a hurry with it.
I've seen them with hydraulic cylinders and electric winches.
I hear ya $8K+ vs $2K or so for 100 bales?
Ive got two of them. You can have one if you want it. You'll need a 15" five lug wheel and tire.
I have the same feeling about them as a bale bed... one bale ain't going to get me any where. Especially at that price tag.
So you don't want the hay dolly??
No, I have one, with a winch, like a man.
I started with one to. Still keep them scattered around winter pastures where I have hay stored. Just in case I need it.thanfully I rarely need one.. I don't think Ive ever paid over 400 for one. Oh I just got me a new rig. It's a inline I know but she unloads in hurry and no straps.No, I have one, with a winch, like a man.
On a serious note, when I started working for the family I work for now, they leased out all their land for cattle. The owner got mad at one of the leasees on a small place they had near my house and ran the person off. I was just mowing the grass. 15 year old me pitched to him that he could buy cattle and I would take care of them. He made me get numbers together and projections and present it to him. In that deal, I allowed $350 for a single bale buggy (with the boat winch). He let me buy 25 cows. I winched about 50 bales a year, stacked and fed, for 3 years until the cows were paid for. Used it and an old jeep he had.
Still got the hay dolly. Keep it in a barn as a reminder where it all started.
I used to have hay delivered and would move it around with a rock bar through the middle and a tow strap while my wife drove and I directed. Led to lots of arguments!No, I have one, with a winch, like a man.
On a serious note, when I started working for the family I work for now, they leased out all their land for cattle. The owner got mad at one of the leasees on a small place they had near my house and ran the person off. I was just mowing the grass. 15 year old me pitched to him that he could buy cattle and I would take care of them. He made me get numbers together and projections and present it to him. In that deal, I allowed $350 for a single bale buggy (with the boat winch). He let me buy 25 cows. I winched about 50 bales a year, stacked and fed, for 3 years until the cows were paid for. Used it and an old jeep he had.
Still got the hay dolly. Keep it in a barn as a reminder where it all started.
I see, certainly would work in a pinch!
That is an awesome set up!
Yes & expensive especially if you figure how many calves it would take to pay for it.
I was thinking about having another large and fairly complicated piece of equipment to maintain and store, just to move hay off the field. But you have to admit, it sure looks like fun.
