accumulators and bale wagons

[shweebies]

Hi there. We are in Texas. We used to bale about 10,000 squares a year. However, the last couple of years we just can't get the labor hired to haul squares. People just do not want to work, especially if it requires physical labor - whole other topic. There are a ton of round balers around us and selling rounds are not very profitable for us. We are looking at getting an accumulator or an older New Holland bale wagon. What are your thoughts? We have a budget of no more than $12k right now (preferably less). I am leaning towards a New Holland bale wagon myself - but I know they are old pieces of equipment and worry about their reliability. But it looks like I could pick up a couple of bale wagons and stay within our budget. My husband and I need to be able to do this ourselves with out depending on help. Last year killed us with not finding labor.

Thanks!

 

[Hayfarmer]

I am from Central Washington, most everyone here uses bale wagons to pick up hay, there is a bale wagon to pick up the big bales even. Self propelled is the easiest to operate, but more expensive to buy and maintain. Some older ones here the 1065 seems to work good. Many later versions have a computer that you set depending upon how you are stacking, ie block stack or regular. Lots of considerations and you don't necessarily want to get one that is advertised "needs work" as any parts are expensive, especially hydraulic and there is lots of hydraulic parts. There is a place in Idaho where they buy and recondition bale wagons and resell them. Probably others that do that also. Other consideration s the size bale you are using? Mostly 3 tie in our area but some bale wagons are adjustable for either 2 or 3 tie. Just a consideration. I have an old 1032 pull type. It is slow but ok for me as I don't put up a lot of hay.

 

[shweebies]

We only do 2 wire square bales (no twine). I try to stay away from computerized stuff. In my experience, when it breaks down it breaks down hard. I was trying out new case balers and tractors last summer. Every other week the technicians were coming out and they were not very knowledgeable. Sent the equipment back to them. No thanks. I'll stick with my trusty old JD 4330 and my older balers.

I found a 1033, holds 105 and rebuilt 1000 bales ago. Also found a 1037 in pretty nice condition.

Thank you for the feedback. No one around here uses the wagons, so I have virtually no experience with them. We always hand hauled them. If we stay in the hay business we have to figure something else out. I can't get hands to haul hay anymore.

 

[paul]

If you have 2 loader tractors/skid steers, the accumulators are attractive these days with the idea of being able to stack 8-10 bales at a time, onto customers wagons or to haul back out, not just after baling. Also more simple equipment, the accumulator and the grapple head are less stuff than the plumbing on the NH wagons.

But - I've never used either, so what do I know....

Back when they came out the NH bale wagons were all the rage, were 1/2 a dozen farmers right next to me that had thrm, used for years. The. Round balers came and took over. I think the deal with the NH wagons is you need very uniform size bales, each end every one?

Paul

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

When I did small squares here in Wyoming I used bale wagons, I had a 1002 first, went to a 1034 LOVED them,, then I thought I needed to do it faster so I got a 1069 self propelled,, for me big mistake, I would go for a 1033-1037 ect model myself as I like the three wide stacks better, I was stacking 100,000-125,000 bales a year with mine
cnt

 

[Hayfarmer]

Most of the hay guys put up here is timothy and a lot for export. 3 tie Freeman plastic twine is the rule. If you can get in the field with the bale wagon right behind the baler you never have to move bales out of the way. I have used a 1065, 1030, and my currend 1032. 1065 would make taller stacks but my 1032 works well for me there is a leaning curve with any of them. not familiar with 1037 but I know the 1033 makes 3 row stacks so hauls more per load. as mentioned you want bales of consistant length. If you are running the bale wagon right behind the baler you will know in a hurry when adjustment is needed on the baler. There is lots of hydraulics on any bale wagon and everything has to work right. As I said before it doesn't pay to buy one that "needs some tlc" you can put a lot into them quickly

 

[casecollectorsc]

I used a accumulator and loader for a lot of years. Still takes a lot of time but much easier and faster than by hand.

 

[kyhayman]

The first year with my NH bale wagon I learned new profanity. But I'd never go back. I've had 6 bale wagons and hoelsher and Kuhn accumulator. For me, I like that when I dump the NH in the barn I'm done. Unlike having to unload flat wagons with the grapples. I did get a 15 bale hoelsher grapple for loading trucks out of the barn. I like the 1033 and 1034s the best. Paid from 4000 to 6000 for then.

 

[MSS3020]

I just bought a 1012 as I only do about 3500 year. Boys out of house now and I dont like waiting for people to show up when I need them to.. So this is my first attempt with one.. pickup up a load with it before I broke chain and sprocket broke. But I was impressed with the pickup already.. Im not dumping large pile but single bale from side to elevator.. I believe this is the learning year as dont know it very well yet.. kinda clumsy.. but we will see.. went all through it during spring and replaced and fixed things that I thought needed it.. but missed the pully.. oh well..