Handling
Hay Handling Tips
Some growers have many bales to move, or they want the next cuttings to begin growing, so they want their bales moved from the field immediately. These growers often place their bales in a temporary area where they are unconfined and able to go through the final respiration process before they are stored in a permanent location.
Growers who have fewer bales usually find it more reasonable to allow the bales to dry down in the field for a couple days before they are moved to permanent storage.
Here are some additional hay handling tips:
- Allow your bales to sit for a day or so in the field or in a separate, well ventilated area before moving them directly into storage.
- Make sure you are using a compatible tractor/loader/attachment combination that is well maintained.
- Only handle bales with manufacturer recommended bale handling attachments.
- Do not attempt to handle bales that exceed the weight limitations of the loader or tractor hydraulics.
- Adjust your tractor wheel spacing to the maximum width allowed per the specifications in your operators manual.
- Always make slow and steady movements with the loader.
- Always travel slow and with the loader as low as possible.
- Never use a tractor or a loader to stop a rolling bale.
- Stay off steep slopes and soft ground, ditch or stream banks.
- When loading bales on a hill or slope, always do so with the tractor facing up hill.
- Never raise loader arms around obstacles such as power lines, tree limbs or building overhangs.
- A load should never be moved with other people in or near the area you are working.
- Never lift a round bale with a bucket attachment without a grapple.
- Never lift your bale higher than necessary, especially while driving.
- Always honk before entering or exiting a confined area such as building.