Hay bales left in the field

[Swagger]

Some of my son's fields were cut for hay last week and small-baled Sunday-Monday-Tuesday (today's Thursday). Due to manpower and machinery problems, lots of the bales are still out there, mostly in eights as left by the sled. We're concentrating on getting the most recent ones (Tuesday's) in first but as for the others, they've not had any rain on them, but should they be turned over to let the bottom dry out before bringing them in and stacking them ? Or what ?

 

[davidroberts30]

Turn over and stack them in

 

[andybk]

if you cant get them in , stack in the field with the grab about 5 high, , buy some lightweight woven tarp/ sheets from screwfix or MVF to cover the tops and tie around the sides with baler twine , get sheets big enough to cover 6 or 8 packs ,they are about £10-15 each bales can stay out for a few weeks if needed , even bottom ones are ok short term , fold and keep sheets for next year .Done it for decades here , get it made while weather is right , and stack till it can be moved .

 

[Swagger]

Thanks, we'll do that. Is it worth getting a moisture meter to check the bales ? If so, any recommendations for makes, and what readings are good/bad ?

 

[andybk]

Thanks, we'll do that. Is it worth getting a moisture meter to check the bales ? If so, any recommendations for makes, and what readings are good/bad ?

I bought a cheap china one off ebay , not brilliant but works ok for hay about £10 (grain moisture meter )

 

[gone up the hill]

if you cant get them in , stack in the field with the grab about 5 high, , buy some lightweight woven tarp/ sheets from screwfix or MVF to cover the tops and tie around the sides with baler twine , get sheets big enough to cover 6 or 8 packs ,they are about £10-15 each bales can stay out for a few weeks if needed , even bottom ones are ok short term , fold and keep sheets for next year .Done it for decades here , get it made while weather is right , and stack till it can be moved .

By the time you mess about with doing all that you could have stacked them in the barn!

 

[andybk]

By the time you mess about with doing all that you could have stacked them in the barn!

na takes about 10-15mins a stack with flat 8 , better than wet bales , once trailers are full

 

[betweenthelines]

Join the 21st Century. Use a round baler. FFS, when did you stop building ricks in the field?

 

[AvonValleyFarmer]

Join the 21st Century. Use a round baler. FFS, when did you stop building ricks in the field?

That's no good if you're selling them to people who can't handle them though is it!?

 

[andybk]

Join the 21st Century. Use a round baler. FFS, when did you stop building ricks in the field?

got a round baler as well (crap for hay ) , its only for excess when trailers are full and to save them getting wet for a few days .

 

[Swagger]

By the time you mess about with doing all that you could have stacked them in the barn!

Not if you don't have the manpower, you couldn't ! Let down by promised muscle power not arriving meant trailers were all full.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Better off getting a trailed carrier like this

Stack them 5-6 high in field then shift as soon as tractor available, dump them in shed

then stack at your leisure

Only a few touched by hand

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Better off getting a trailed carrier like this

Stack them 5-6 high in field then shift as soon as tractor available, dump them in shed

then stack at your leisure

Only a few touched by hand

I’d rather let mike Tyson use my scrotum as a punch bag

 

[spin cycle]

I’d rather let my Tyson use my scrotum as a punch bag

tell you what ...i love your 'no nonsense wisdom' at times

 

[Bobthebuilder]

I’d rather let mike Tyson use my scrotum as a punch bag

easier and quicker than loading/unloading trailers if you have to make little bales, carrying 48 per load 56 on straw, don't get many on trailers without having to rope them on

 

[Northeastfarmer]

easier and quicker than loading/unloading trailers if you have to make little bales

I couldn’t be remotely arsed making little bales

 

[Bobthebuilder]

I couldn’t be remotely arsed making little bales

but you can be arsed to comment on a post about little bales

 

[Northeastfarmer]

but you can be arsed to comment on a post about little bales

Yea...been there and done that...still got the scratched shins

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Yea...been there and done that...still got the scratched shins

should've used a carrier and a flat 8 grab then

 

[Swagger]

Better off getting a trailed carrier like this

Stack them 5-6 high in field then shift as soon as tractor available, dump them in shed

then stack at your leisure

Only a few touched by hand

OK if you've got nice big empty shed, but even so it looks like a right faff to get them stacked tight after you've got all the small stacks in there !