The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Stellan Vert on June 03, 2013, 12:40:34 pm

Title: First Hay Bales
Post by: Stellan Vert on June 03, 2013, 12:40:34 pm

Hi All

Succeeded in making our first three hay bales yesterday.

They each weigh 2kg and are about 18*8*6 inches in size

Followed the guidance given in Country Smallholder mag.

OH sat and watched in amusement until first bale appeared out of box (with red baler twine round it). :sunshine:

SV

Title: Re: First Hay Bales
Post by: Clarebelle on June 03, 2013, 12:48:15 pm

I saw that article too, I'm glad it has worked for you and we've had enough sun to make baling successful!  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: First Hay Bales
Post by: MAK on June 03, 2013, 08:47:16 pm

I have not seen the article but we made 12 bales of hay last year using the large cardboard box method after the council cut the verges of our lane.
Today I got the sythe out and cut some of my own grass and wild flowers - hot work in the  :sunshine:
The forecast is good so we should get enough hay to keep the rabbits happy over winter. ( I'll post the results at the weekend if I can sort out how to take a photo on my new Ipod.)
 

Title: Re: First Hay Bales
Post by: Stellan Vert on June 10, 2013, 03:37:23 pm

Hi All

Well!  We made a further 21 1/2 bales of hay this weekend. Used a bigger box, 24 by 18 by 18 inches in size.

Apart for our time the only cost was some baler twine (2 rolls of 1000 metres) should last for years.

There is something really pleasing about making something yourself and i leart a lot in the process.


SV.

Title: Re: First Hay Bales
Post by: plumseverywhere on June 10, 2013, 03:53:03 pm

Doing the same here! Just waiting for the moisture to go (think we are still above the 20% ?)  fingers crossed for another warm, breezy day so we can bale. (I say 'we' - tis me, but never mind!)

Title: Re: First Hay Bales
Post by: MarvinH on June 10, 2013, 06:48:21 pm

Is this a wind up ? 2kg hay bale.

Title: Re: First Hay Bales
Post by: MAK on June 10, 2013, 11:44:04 pm

Done ours! 12 bales and all stacked away for the rabbits cum winter.
I'll post some photos of the plot and the product when it gets light  :sunshine:

Oh - I'll way them too.

Title: Re: First Hay Bales
Post by: Stellan Vert on June 11, 2013, 10:23:27 am

Hi

JS.   The first bales were made using a wooden box that had 6 bottles of wine in it, they weigh 2Kg (you should have seen the look on th OHs face when I weighed them on her kitchen scales).

The second set of 21 bales are about 1/2 a standard bale and weigh about 10 kg each.

No its not a wind up just a "bright eyed loon" learning new tricks.

SV