Big Bale Handler-Unroller

Big Bale handler-Unroller HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Bale Handling (5) 6-6-9 Bob Wittig, Burstall, Sask., decided there had to be a better way to unroll big round bales for feeding to his range cattle. So, he built himself a big bale handler. It not only loads bales in or out of storage but also transports and unrolls them for feeding. Key to the system is the 7 ft. steel spike (3 in. dia.) that spears the bales. It pivots off its axis side to side and is held in place from moving when spearing by 2 pins, one on each side, that act like the pins that keep swinging drawbars in place. After spearing the bale and moving it to the desired area, you place the bale on the ground, pull the pin on the side of the tractor you want the bale rolling on, then cramp the tires sharply opposite the direction you want the bale on and drive forward. Now the bale will be off to the side of the tractor. You can now drive forward using the friction of the bale against the ground and the forward motion of the tractor to unroll the bale. Wittig's unit is built to fit onto a John Deere loader. To attach, you remove the bucket and then attach the bale handler using the same pins and hydraulic cylinder that the loader used. The frame is made of steel and, says Wittig, "anyone with a welder could make one of these". He feels that the bale handler's main use would be for feeding range cattle. He has no plans for building or selling the units but will talk to people interested in the idea. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bob Wittig, Box 36, Burstall, Sask. Canada SON OHO (ph 306 679-4704).

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