Would a bale spike tip over a round bale.

[Ltec]

Didn't know how to word the title but the idea is to make a bale spike for the back of tractor. 2 spikes so it will carry a pallet but most importantly I need it to tip over the round bale
The problem is my father is getting older and struggles to get on and off the tractor. Our normal routine is cut the plastic down off the bale, put a rope around the bale and pull it over, then when we lift the bale with a tipper the plastic is off it. Then we draw it down to the cattle and set it down and move the tractor out, cut the net in the middle and split down both sides and flatten it to the ground and then lift it again with the tractor and set in. It's a lot of on and off for one person.
My theory is if he could tip the bale over with double spike and carry it down and only get off once to cut all the plastic and net off and reverse it in then it would be easier.
But will it tip the bale over or destroy the spike, they are not designed for lifting at the point.
What length of spikes should I use if building one.
Sorry for being so long winded coz it's hard to explain

 

[Nearly]

Use conus 3 bale spikes and bushes in a thick walled pieve of box section. They're 22mm thread (from memory) and much stronger than the cheaper ones. 1m long (970mm) would be fine but longer ones would still be strong enough.

Hydraulic top link might add more 'flip' to the action?

 

[Bury the Trash]

more work to build but what about 2 spikes on a tipping frame sort of a bit like this...

 

[Mouser]

more work to build but what about 2 spikes on a tipping frame sort of a bit like this...

View attachment 735346

Why not just use one of those?

 

[Bury the Trash]

but it needs to be for moving pallets as well .

 

[etcetra]

Used to tip bales with a rear mounted single spike. Blacksmith made, spike was made from a lorry half shaft. - depends how low the spike is in relation to the bale when link arms are dropped as to whether it would flip the bale, a hydraulic top link would be a good advantage. I then graduated to a front loader and spiked them with a muck fork. Also used a rear mounted tipper ( as previous post ) I even modified it that it mounted on the loader, manual trip via a rope.
Now use a "soft hands" type bale grab on the loader - great job - you can lift bale upright, end on or sideways.

Other ideas dependent on size of tractor you're using - a rear mounted forklift - may lift high enough to tip bale into the feeder or one of these:

http://www.cashels.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Page-11.pdf

ETC

 

[Highland Mule]

Fleming twin spike here. Can lift a full IBC of water, with care, and easily a bale of silage.

 

[glasshouse]

Didn't know how to word the title but the idea is to make a bale spike for the back of tractor. 2 spikes so it will carry a pallet but most importantly I need it to tip over the round bale
The problem is my father is getting older and struggles to get on and off the tractor. Our normal routine is cut the plastic down off the bale, put a rope around the bale and pull it over, then when we lift the bale with a tipper the plastic is off it. Then we draw it down to the cattle and set it down and move the tractor out, cut the net in the middle and split down both sides and flatten it to the ground and then lift it again with the tractor and set in. It's a lot of on and off for one person.
My theory is if he could tip the bale over with double spike and carry it down and only get off once to cut all the plastic and net off and reverse it in then it would be easier.
But will it tip the bale over or destroy the spike, they are not designed for lifting at the point.
What length of spikes should I use if building one.
Sorry for being so long winded coz it's hard to explain

sounds hellish complicated

 

[Ltec]

Why not just use one of those?

Because when the bale is standing on its end you couldn't tip it over with a tipper if it's sitting against other bales.

 

[Ltec]

more work to build but what about 2 spikes on a tipping frame sort of a bit like this...

View attachment 735346

I thought about something like that that tipped on the spike but it wouldn't lift high enough when it's tipping if the spike was stuck in the side of it. A lot of pressure on it too. As the hinge on a tipper doesn't take the full weight.

 

[glasshouse]

you would just put the spikes under it and flip it over.

 

[puppet]

I cannot quite follow all the ups and down and where the bale ends up. I presume in front of feed barrier?
Firstly, stack them on their side, not ends. Reverse in, spike the bale, take it down. Lift bale well up, get off - once- cut the plastic across the back and both sides, fold it forward over the linkage then either unwrap the netting or use a blade on a long pole to cut the netting under the bale and it will pull off in one go. Try not to lean under it.
Get back on and repeat.

 

[Sharpy]

Didn't know how to word the title but the idea is to make a bale spike for the back of tractor. 2 spikes so it will carry a pallet but most importantly I need it to tip over the round bale
The problem is my father is getting older and struggles to get on and off the tractor. Our normal routine is cut the plastic down off the bale, put a rope around the bale and pull it over, then when we lift the bale with a tipper the plastic is off it. Then we draw it down to the cattle and set it down and move the tractor out, cut the net in the middle and split down both sides and flatten it to the ground and then lift it again with the tractor and set in. It's a lot of on and off for one person.
My theory is if he could tip the bale over with double spike and carry it down and only get off once to cut all the plastic and net off and reverse it in then it would be easier.
But will it tip the bale over or destroy the spike, they are not designed for lifting at the point.
What length of spikes should I use if building one.
Sorry for being so long winded coz it's hard to explain

Cut end out of plastic on bale, leave hinge of plastic to stop circle of plastic blowing away, fold circle under wrap to keep it out of the way. Go to bale with double spike, spike bale, carry to feed area.
Cut plastic and net under bale with knife on stick type tool from tractor end to uncut end, then cut straight up to near top.
Remove plastic and net.
Feed bale.

Edit. With apologies to @puppet , pretty similar.

 

[Ltec]

That's the problem, our bales are all stacked on ends. My father believes they keep better on there ends. It also saves room on there ends as we struggle for space.
If they were on there sides no problem with spike. The problem is one man putting a rope over it to tip it on its side.

 

[glasshouse]

That's the problem, our bales are all stacked on ends. My father believes they keep better on there ends. It also saves room on there ends as we struggle for space.
If they were on there sides no problem with spike. The problem is one man putting a rope over it to tip it on its side.

nonsense, stick the spike in at the bottom and flip it up

 

[Thick Farmer]

That's the problem, our bales are all stacked on ends. My father believes they keep better on there ends. It also saves room on there ends as we struggle for space.
If they were on there sides no problem with spike. The problem is one man putting a rope over it to tip it on its side.

Attack it with the spike, it will tip.
Also, they don’t keep any better that way so why pee about?

 

[puppet]

That's the problem, our bales are all stacked on ends. My father believes they keep better on there ends. It also saves room on there ends as we struggle for space.
If they were on there sides no problem with spike. The problem is one man putting a rope over it to tip it on its side.

How can a 4x4 bale take up more space laid flat than on its end? Length = diameter.
Anyway, they keep fine either way as long as the ground is smooth

 

[24/7 farming]

For years we tipped them from the stack (standing on ends) by reversing the bale lifter under the bottom of the bale about a foot, then lift it up and drive forward at the same time and u end up with the face that was on the ground facing u. Never damaged any of the bales behind or to the sides doing this

 

[J428TGS]

yes a double bale spike on the rear can tip over a bale, as long as you can set off the bale where you need it tipped then get the spikes under the bale a little the lift and reverse at the same time

 

[Bury the Trash]

I thought about something like that that tipped on the spike but it wouldn't lift high enough when it's tipping if the spike was stuck in the side of it. A lot of pressure on it too. As the hinge on a tipper doesn't take the full weight.

As mentioned by someone earlier … look out for an old rear end forklift or rear end loader even they can be got for not silly money now.
a rear end forklift with a short mast and a carriage that you could swap for spike / to forks would be very useful for you , just a bit heavier and not such good visibility, that's all.