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Smart People Needed: How do you move heavy hay?

15K views 101 replies 39 participants last post by  PaintHorseMares 
#1 ·
Hey all!
My friends and I are currently trying to decide how to transport heavy hay (700lb-1000lb bales) from my friend's house (the hay guys will drop it there) to my horse's pasture, two blocks away.
They could be round bales or square bales.
I can shove a tow rope on it and haul it with my truck, but I really don't want to haul a round bale down the street. I don't think I'd have much hay left after that trip, lol.
We do not have a tractor, and probably don't have a trailer either. :)
I was thinking about using my truck to haul it onto a big piece of plywood and somehow dragging the plywood down the road (like a sled...) but A) I don't know how I'd do that and B) I'm not sure plywood is strong enough for 700-1000lbs of hay.
Any ideas? Anyway to shove the thing in the bed of my truck? I have ramps...
 
#2 ·
If your horses pasture is two blocks away.....why can't you get it dropped there? Or get your truck there early and have them dump one in your truck box?
 
#3 ·
We used the skid loader bucket to move the round bales from the arena to the hay loft. We'd roll it onto he skidloader bucket, pick the bucket up and move to desired spot (middle of the loft for us, lol), tilt the bucket level and roll it back off :p If you have a skid loader though..lol.

As for your truck..a round bale (unless it's absolutely monstrous) should fit in the bed of your truck..I'd just be careful about just plopping it down in there, might very well bend parts of your truck, lol.

I think you could sled it down the road on a piece of plyboard though..I may strap it down a little so it doesn't just roll or topple off..if you speed like I do :p lol. That's why I'm not farming..I could not deal with the speed (slowness? Can't really call it speed, haha) of a harvester.(;

I think the plyboard idea was great though, I never would've thought about it, haha.
Good luck.:)
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#7 ·
No, I don't think you understand: they don't put they hay where you want it. They aren't paid to move the hay at your direction. They drive it out and then dump it in the first empty spot they see, and then drive away. We're in a hay shortage. They can do as they like. Besides, I need several bales. But thank you for pointing out the obvious and neglecting to answer my actual question. :)
Actually I asked you two questions to clarify what the heck was going on....perhaps if you had stated that you were in a hay shortage and they were just going to dump it where they pleased I wouldn't have felt the need to ask.....not all of us are living in a hay shortage right now, no need to assume we all know what heck you're talking about.
 
#6 ·
My supplier puts a tire with a 5 gal bucket behind the cab to keep the bale from getting on the wrong side of the wheel wells. He uses the same on the other side to prevent the bale from bending the tail gate. To offload he removes the tailgate, tire and bucket, drives backwards a bit fast then hits the brakes. Bale tumbles out of his truck. That works for the big rounds. What I've done with both a big round and a big square is to tie a stout rope around it, tie the other end to a stout tree or the bottom of a stout fence post and drive out from under it. I then back up and give the bale a bunt to loosen the tension on the rope.
 
#8 ·
I'm sorry, when I said "the hay guys are going to drop it two blocks away", I assumed people would understand that the hay guys were going to drop it two blocks away. That was silly of me, I know. If the hay guys were willing to drop the hay in my yard, then I would have them drop the hay in my yard, and I wouldn't have the thread on here at all, asking for ideas on how to haul my hay with my truck to my yard.

Saddlebag: Lol, I like the unloading ideas. :D How does he get the bale in the back in the first place? With a tractor?
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
No, no one has a tractor. That's why I originally said this: "We do not have a tractor, and probably don't have a trailer either. :) ".
And then proceeded to ask for advice on how to tow it with my truck... If I had a tractor, or even access to a tractor, I would be using a tractor, and therefore would have no need to post asking for advice on how to move roundbales.
We no have tractor. Or trailer. Or any other mechanical device save for a pickup truck. Yeay.
 
#14 ·
No, no one has a tractor. That's why I originally said this: "We do not have a tractor, and probably don't have a trailer either. :) ".
And then proceeded to ask for advice on how to tow it with my truck... If I had a tractor, or even access to a tractor, I would be using a tractor, and therefore would have no need to post asking for advice on how to move roundbales.
Everyone good now? :) Just in case people were still unable to follow: Me no have tractor. Or trailer. Or any other mechanical device save for a pickup truck. Yeay.
It's good to see you assume we are all mind readers and clairvoyants.........
 
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#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
No, I just think it's interesting that part of my original post must have been invisible, because people apparently are missing the "do not have a tractor" and "bales delivered down the road" lines, though every time I look at them, I certainly see them. I also think it's interesting that when I point that out, people suddenly become offended. "Attitude"? Honestly? I fail to see how I have been offensive. I have not cussed anyone out. I have not called names. I have not insulted anyone. I have not turned my caps lock on, nor have I even used an exclamation point.
Perhaps you dislike my commenting when people clearly have missed part of my original post? I suppose I could simply ignore them, but that seems rude. No one likes to be ignored. I think it is beneficial to them in the long run for me to remind them to read more carefully before posting, as it saves time not having to re-clarify what was already stated originally.
As for assuming you're all mindreaders, well, I'm sorry if it was a bit much to ask for people to apply logic and common sense to their train of thought. :) Honestly, if you can't make the jump from "don't have a tractor" to "don't have access to a tractor" based on my original question (which was ideas on how to move bales with only a truck), then I'm seriously doubting your imput would have been helpful at all.
 
#16 ·
No, I just think it's interesting that part of my original post must have been invisible, because people apparently are missing the "do not have a tractor" and "bales delivered down the road" lines, though every time I look at them, I certainly see them. I also think it's interesting that when I point that out, people suddenly become offended. "Attitude"? Honestly? I fail to see how I have been offensive. I have not cussed anyone out. I have not called names. I have not insulted anyone. I have not turned my caps lock on, nor have I even used an exclamation point.
Perhaps you dislike my commenting when people clearly have missed part of my original post? I suppose I could simply ignore them, but that seems rude. No one likes to be ignored. I think it is beneficial to them in the long run for me to remind them to read more carefully before posting, as it saves time not having to re-clarify what was already stated originally.
As for assuming you're all mindreaders, well, I'm sorry if it was a bit much to ask for people to apply logic and common sense to their train of thought. :) Honestly, if you can't make the jump from "don't have a tractor" to "don't have access to a tractor" based on my original question (which was ideas on how to move bales with only a truck), then I'm seriously doubting your imput would have been helpful at all.
Now, if there's anyone who wants to actually be useful, rather than getting their panties in a twist, feel free to throw some ideas in.
I asked you 'why if your pasture is two blocks away can you not have them delivered there' and 'can you get the round bale put in the box of your pick-up?'.....legitimate questions.....you did not say 'delivery guy will not deliver to my pasture'.......you're asking for logic and common sense, yet you fail to type out a logical post.....if your so 'smart' you go figure it out....the answer is easy but you won't be getting it from me.....
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
Yes, you're right, those are questions. Again, don't you think that if I was able to get it delivered to my pasture, that I would? Don't
you think if I was able to have them loaded into my truck, that I would have them do so? Did you actually want me to type out my whole life story or something? Would you have actually read it? Most people would not have. Instead, I have you a puzzle, and some pieces to put in the puzzle. Goal: get the bales two blocks down the road without the use of a tractor. That seems simple, right? The reply could have been," Drag it on a skid", not "...why don't you just have them in your yard?".
And just in case you're wondering, I find it amusing that you posted to tell me that you knew the answer, but weren't going to tell me. :D
 
#20 ·
Yes, you're right, those are questions. Again, don't you think that if I was able to get it delivered to my pasture, that I would? Don't
you think if I was able to have them loaded into my truck, that I would have them do so? Did you actually want me to type out my whole life story or something? Would you have actually read it? Most people would not have. Instead, I have you a puzzle, and some pieces to put in the puzzle. Goal: get the bales two blocks down the road without the use of a tractor. That seems simple, right? The reply could have been," Drag it on a skid", not "...why don't you just have them in your yard?".
And just in case you're wondering, I find it amusing that you posted to tell me that you knew the answer, but weren't going to tell me. It reminded me of younger siblings squabbling. :D


And that is exactly how I see your attitude, and that is EXACTLY why I replied that way, because I knew it would amuse you........Goodluck, don't let one of those round bales roll over you....
 
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#19 ·
If the bales are round and tight enough, you could roll it. I doubt they will be delivering large squares, they are more expensive to make and harder to store because they really must be inside to stay horse quality.

If the hay is being delivered 2 blocks away, how are they getting the bales off the trailer over there? I would think a few extra dollars would get them delivered where you want. If it takes all kinds of human effort to move these bales without equipment the extra money might be worth it.
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#23 ·
Thanks Muppergirl! See you at the family reuinion! ;)

CCH: So... I should try rolling 800lbs of hay two blocks down the road? By hand? What if it rolls away? And... it's 800lbs. I'm not thinkin' that's going to go real well.
And by square bales, I actually meant square bales. See, you can get round bales, and large square bales, and then small bales around here.
 
#25 ·
Can any of your horses drive? ;)
Roll the bale onto a pallet (or skid I think people call them) strap it on, I'm sure you can find some long, thick ropes. Hitch the horse up to the pallet! Walla!

;) If your horses aren't skilled like that you could hitch it to your truck with the skid, just drive real slow, hitch it on both sides so it doesn't spin out.
 
#28 ·
If I had to do it, I'd probably do it this way: Get a little thicker sheet of plywood and drill holes in it to accommodate the tie down straps. Knock together a "sled" by putting 2x4s or 2x6s under the plywood to act as runners. Attach the tow rope to the runners. Bring along a longer pry bar (or crow bar) to give you some leverage getting them on to the sled. Just remember you won't have good stopping control with these so keep it slow.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Seems as though the simplest way would be to offer the hay delivery guy an extra $20 to put it where you want it. I'm assuming he (or she) is getting paid by the hour (and not real well).

(Got to wonder about the attitude of your supplier, though. Sure, you may have a hay shortage this year, but what about next year, and the year after? Will you be going back to the jerk who messed with you this year?)

If that fails, and you have round bales, drive a piece of pipe through the center. Tie two ropes at the ends of the pipe (in loops, so the pipe can rotate freely), and that to the trailer hitch of your truck. Wrap a tarp (or old blanket, etc) around the outside, and drive slowly pulling the bale.
 
#31 ·
Got to wonder about the attitude of your supplier, though. Sure, you may have a hay shortage this year, but what about next year, and the year after? Will you be going back to the jerk who messed with you this year?
Maybe the attitude of the hay supplier was influenced by the attitude of the customer on the phone. :lol:
 
#30 ·
Here's the issue, you are asking for almost the impossible. And your attitude about it really isn't helping, or making people inclined to help you.

If you can be there, offer the driver an extra $50 to take them the two blocks. The company may well have a policy of not driving bales anywhere fancy because they are busy, the driver probably wouldn't mind the extra $$ and would do it.

If you put it on a skid, first, how would you do that? The skid is going to move and it's going to be especially tricky.
Once it's on the skid, it's going to grind away to nothing and leave debris all over the road. The only way that wouldn't happen is if you somehow attach wheels to the skid. Lowes sells the caster type for $20 for 4, I'd think you could drill them into the skid.

I don't know how you would get the bale onto the skid though. You'd have to tow it with your truck. But the skid is going to move out from under it, even if you use breeze blocks they would move.
 
#32 ·
Chevaux: Good idea! I hadn't thought of runners yet. I'd considered wheels, but then, of course, the bale would slam into my bumper when I stopped.

James: If I could be there, it might be possible to offer him some money to dump them down the road. I think they're delivering in the afternoon though, and I work/go to school then, and I live an hour and a half away... :D Besides, why spend $50 when I can just expend some more effort and do it myself? As far as their attitude, well, I'd hope I could just use local guys next year. We're paying twice as much for hay now than normal, and having to have it brought in from much farther away than usual, so I doubt the people care much.
 
#33 ·
Originally Posted by jamesqf http://www.horseforum.com/horse-talk/smart-people-needed-how-do-you-143895/post1762458/#post1762458
Got to wonder about the attitude of your supplier, though. Sure, you may have a hay shortage this year, but what about next year, and the year after? Will you be going back to the jerk who messed with you this year?

Maybe the attitude of the hay supplier was influenced by the attitude of the customer on the phone. :lol:
It's actually a very common practice for people around here. They have semi-trucks and large trailers hauling the hay. It's not as if they bring tractors along to manuver through barns and place the bales exactly where you want them.
 
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