Self Loading/Unloading Round Bale Trailers

[C-Ranch]

Hello,

I know this has been discussed in other parts of the forum but most are talking about round bale trailers they load and unload manually, which I currently do now. However, this is very time consuming not to mention all the forward and back motion from hauling bales all summer and cleaning corrals in the winter is taking a toll on the equipment, so looking for a way to lesson wear and tear and possibly speed up the hay hauling process. What I am wondering is if anyone has any experience with the Koyker 7000 round bale self loading trailer or the DewEze trailer.

I see from the Koyker video and several others that the pick-up arm spins the bale as you go up the row. I am wondering what the spinning action will do to the strings. Since round bales don't tie/knot like square balers I am often getting off my loader to gather up the loose end strings and tie them up so they don't get caught under a tire etc. Therefore, I am curious for those of you that use a self loading/unloading trailer how do the bale strings hold up or are they a mess by the time you get done unloading and loading.

Any insight you can provide from those that have used either of these two models or something very similar would be great.

 

[1wlimo]

Not used one like this, but the highline which is a similar principle.

It was a good machine. Loads and unloads fast, compared to a loader. Flat deck and truck could out haul it given a distance over a few of miles.

 

[C-Ranch]

Thanks for the reply.

Did you have any problems with tearing of the strings when loading or unloading? Pro, Cons,

 

[1wlimo]

Thanks for the reply.

Did you have any problems with tearing of the strings when loading or unloading? Pro, Cons,

The Koyker uses a push bar, where as the highline uses chains. The chains would damage net-wrap if run incorrectly, but would be fine with strings. I would think the Koyker would be good with either. There are several units built onto trucks I have seen working that are similar to the Koyker and they are fine with string.

I would check the tyres can carry the weight at speed. I was restricted to 20mph with the highline, or it ate tyres.

 

[C-Ranch]

Good point on the tires.

How many bales could you haul in an hour?

Currently I use a 30ft goose-neck trailer with a hitch on my tractor. I can haul 15 bales ( 14 on trailer, 1 on bale fork) in an hour. That's loading and hauling to the stack yard and then unloading and stacking the bales. It works slick for one person, but I have opened up more ground resulting in more hay, so trying to get the bales out of the field quicker (I can stack later once irrigation is back on).