Bale trailer

[DanM33]

Am looking into getting a bale trailer, what is the ideal length for both 4 bales along the bottom and 5 bales along the bottom, am I right to be wanting a tandem axle or are single axle still very stable on the road. Is there much difference turning
Thanks

 

[BRB John]

Am looking into getting a bale trailer, what is the ideal length for both 4 bales along the bottom and 5 bales along the bottom, am I right to be wanting a tandem axle or are single axle still very stable on the road. Is there much difference turning
Thanks

Well assuming it's 4ft bales you'll need at least a 16ft trailer and I'd go with a tandem purely for the suspension benefits. My single axle 21ft trailer is very bouncy not ideal for light bales....

 

[DanM33]

Well assuming it's 4ft bales you'll need at least a 16ft trailer and I'd go with a tandem purely for the suspension benefits. My single axle 21ft trailer is very bouncy not ideal for light bales....

Does the 21ft take 5 bales ?

 

[BRB John]

Yup we just do 5 on the bottom and 4 on top as we're not going far.
21ft is a good size for mobility unless your really tight for space.
Just see what is available secondhand I wouldn't buy new at the moment....

 

[Moors Lad]

Make sure a 4ft bale is 4ft - they can often be slightly more - if I was wanting 5 bales on the bottom I`d be looking for a 22ft long trailer( to allow for bales being slightly more than 4ft). If it was for haylage bales,which can be a bit heavier than hay and straw I`d be wanting a tandem axle - this can be better in preventing ruts if the bales are heavy and the field is damp.
A lot depends on your budget and the amount of bales you`ve got to move, plus the distances you`ll be travelling and whether it`s on public highways or only on farm land.

 

[ridger]

Yup we just do 5 on the bottom and 4 on top as we're not going far.

21ft is a good size for mobility unless your really tight for space.

Just see what is available secondhand I wouldn't buy new at the moment....

New is out of the question, as an aside I rang about a new one yesterday and they wouldn't even quote, said they wouldn't be making any until September because there is so many tankers needed for a grant. I replied and who will want a bale trailer in September, he said oh, I hadn't thought of that

 

[BRB John]

Ridger

Your not suppose to put your reply in the quote box . I don't know what I'm doing either Hopefully the above works .
May I suggest Marshall Farm Machinery. Kenneth has always a huge selection of trailers of all types to choose from.

 

[BuskhillFarm]

I’ve a 22ft and would actually rather a 23ft with straw it’s always a squeeze to get 5 in. The gates are horizontal not angled which might be better too. Definitely tandem, ALOT more stable. I prefer it on springs, spring drawbar nice extra but if drawing straw you’ll not notice.
A 4ft straw bale is roughly 4ft6”

 

[grass man]

I've used a 28ft. 6 along the floor. Might have a foot or 2 to spare if bales are all touching and good shape. Wet wrapped bales that have widened a bit are a tight squeeze. Trailer has vertical racks. So I'd suggest 24ft for 5 bales

 

[Barleymow]

get one with the wheels underneath , a lot seem to have the wheels on the side

 

[Pistonbroke]

21 foot was a tight squeeze for five hay or silage bales when we had a claas46 ,when we changed to a 354 there was no chance. Extended it to 23 and it's tight but ok but straw needs to be rammed in between the racks unless maybe double the net would stop them swelling. 18 ft for four,28 ft for six I would say

 

[Moors Lad]

get one with the wheels underneath , a lot seem to have the wheels on the side

????? Don`t get the joke..

 

[Sharpy]

????? Don`t get the joke..

Couped trailers I think.

 

[Barleymow]

????? Don`t get the joke..

They tip over on the road I was jesting about

 

[fermerboy]

We run a 28ft for 6 Welgers on the bottom, usually have about 12-18" spare, so really need about 26.5 -27 for six.
A real 4ft is pretty small, most are 4 and a half feet.

 

[DanM33]

Thanks for the replies. All bales are fusion bales and draws between 8km and 15km so I think tandem axle is a must for road

 

[Nithsdale]

We get 14 silage (McHale 5500) on our 20ft trailer

If you're buying 2nd hand, be aware and check the plate for gross weight... A lot of 20-21ft trailer will only be 8t (ours is 7.5t, but have uprated it!). If you shift silage bales you're over loaded

Twin axle every time and I prefer springs to bogey axles - in fields or on roads. Smoother ride and you've a better chance to save a rim when you get a puncture.

 

[Moors Lad]

All bales are fusion bales and draws between 8km and 15km so I think tandem axle is a must for road

If they`re wrapped bales you certainly need a bit of spare length rather than it being a squeeze.

Twin axle every time and I prefer springs to bogey axles - in fields or on roads. Smoother ride and you've a better chance to save a rim when you get a puncture.

 

[haybob]

That's a 25ft with 4ft2" bales . Out of a vicon . The sloping ladder gives a bit of flexibility for allowing the last bale to fit in .

 

[Jon 3085]

I've used a 28ft. 6 along the floor. Might have a foot or 2 to spare if bales are all touching and good shape. Wet wrapped bales that have widened a bit are a tight squeeze. Trailer has vertical racks. So I'd suggest 24ft for 5 bales

This(Mchale 5500 bales)