OT - Handling Large Square Bales

[Kirk Grau]

We have one of those Yuppy horse acreages that comes up for discussion here occasionally. Neighbor/Hay Supplier has gone to a large square baler. Our barn is not set up to handle them well so I bought a hay spear for the tractor loader and go over to his barn and pick one up when needed. Problem is that it takes up too much space in the barn aisle and restricts equine movement to the point of inconvenience for my kids/wife regardless of where I put it.

Am looking for brainstorming ideas for some sort of cart to set it on or maybe a platform to get it out of the way and still be accessible.

Any ideas for either something to purchase or build?

Thanks,

Kirk

 

[Anonymous-0]

Brother has one of those balers and the horse people like them as all slices are the same and they cut the twine then stack the slices for better space.

 

[Wayne from Wi]

You will have trouble trying to handle big square bales with a single spear. You need a double spear minimum. The single spear will pull up through the bale, not lift it, and leave you with a mess. Wayne

 

[Curt from MN]

Tipped on it's side is not much wider than small square bale. Unless horse trailer is used frequently can be put in there and parked by door. Pallet forks are more useful than the spear as you can lift the bale from the side or end and tip it over. Of course there is always the empty stall method if one exists.

 

[Ryan - WI]

My aunt and uncle were looking into them a few years ago too. I told them to get a mini running gear from the farm store and put a coupld 4x4's on it and pull it around with their ATV or garden tractor.
Something like this