Big Bale Carrier Needs No Tractor

Big Bale Carrier Needs No Tractor BALE HANDLING      “We needed an easier way to haul big bales into my dairy barn so we built a single carrier for round or square bales It’s not flashy but it works great and cost very little to build ” says Jesse Fisher Gap Penn     The one-of-a-kind carrier lets Fisher haul a round bale on 8 wheels without a tractor It consists of 2 different sections one on either side of the bale     Both sections are made from 2-in sq tubing and measure about 3 ft high Each one rides on 4 wheels Both sections are fitted with 3-in prongs and come-alongs that attach to metal hoops The come-alongs are used to crank the sections together so the prongs dig into the bale and lift it off the ground     The front section rides on caster wheels and is equipped with a chain to pull the bale The back section is equipped with a 4-ft long hinged metal “flapper brake” that hangs from a rubber strap about 2 ft above the wheels To activate the brakes when going downhill the operator removes the strap and lowers the flapper brake onto the wheels and then stands on it     Once he’s got the bale into the barn Fisher releases both come-alongs to lower the bale to the ground     “We’re happy with it and wouldn’t be without it Our total cost to build it was about $500 ” says Fisher “We came up with the idea because we have a small farm and can’t raise enough hay for our 40 dairy cows We had been buying small square bales but it got expensive so to save money we started buying wrapped big round or square bales that weigh about 1 000 lbs apiece We cut open the bales and hauled slices into the barn on a wagon but we needed a better way So we made some drawings on paper and then went to a neighbor who helped design and weld everything together ”     A rubber tie-down strap is attached to each section “I hook the straps over the top of the bale to keep the carrier from falling down until I can hook up the come-alongs ” says Fisher     He says on flat ground one person can pull a loaded bale by himself but going downhill requires 2 people because someone needs to step on the brakes while the other one steers It also takes 2 people going uphill – one to pull the bale and one to push it     “The caster wheels on front are bolted on weight eveners so the bale’s weight is always evenly distributed which helps on uneven terrain ” says Fisher “Of course the heavier the bale the harder it is to steer ”     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jesse S Fisher 347 School Lane Rd Gap Penn 17527 ph 717 442-8958     

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