Author Topic: technique for using big round bales of hay? (Read 4880 times)

Fieldfare · « **on:** December 05, 2013, 11:09:55 pm »

I am being forced to use big round bales of hay this year (wrapped in net). Anyone got a good technique for getting hay from them without it falling all over the place? (I guess I would take a 'small bales-worth' every 3 days).
Many thanks!

shygirl · « **Reply #1 on:** December 05, 2013, 11:16:24 pm »

they are more likely to fall apart if they are cut short, but that just makes it easier to pull away.

give yourself space all around the bale and literally unwind the hay. if you only pull from one side or dont take from all the way down to the ground (especially that very bottom bit) - it will jam up and be a real pest to loosen - not funny when hands are frozen.

Daisy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2014, 05:49:46 pm »

Some bales fall apart more than others, I take the netting off and then use a bit of rope to tie round the bale to keep it together when I'm not taking hay from it, I rake up what falls off and use that first then if there is any more I just lob it in a wheelbarrow until I need it

hexhammeasure · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2014, 06:47:15 pm »

take the netting off and unwind it pulling from the bottom. don't unwind any more until the base is clear all the way round. It starts off being easier to just pull from the top but twice round and its a nightmare to pull out

Big Light · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2014, 06:52:59 pm »

Unwind as described by other but have a tarpaulin over the top with an old tyre on it that will hold it together, when finished brace the tarpaulin round the side with wood or old tyre or whatever you have

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2014, 09:40:39 am »

If you have room and a dry floor tip it on its side if you can do so safely, and unroll like kitchen towel.

cloddopper · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2014, 10:04:45 pm »

If you chocked the bale so it won't roll on you or away from you have any of you ever thought of using " a 2 foot long stack knife " and slice it off across like you would cut a round of cheese .
If the stack knife idea seems evil how about a 9 inch disc cutter and run two parallel cuts 15 inches apart across the bale then make north to south cuts every 18 inches or so then use a pitch fork to take out a 15 x 18 inch x 4 & 1/2 inches thick/deep slab of hay .

Once the first grove is cut right across the bale and removed it should be much easier to make more parallel cuts across the bale to take the slabs out as you will also be able to cut across the back edge as well .

you would have to work carefully with the angle grinder and use some big chocks/props at the rear as the bale will tend to roll backwards as you remove the front half of it .