Whether you are harvesting your forage crops or a livestock producer buying fresh hay to store up for the winter, it is an excellent time to remember a few hay hauling tips to get you from the field to the feed bunk.
Dirk Philipp, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas, said bales need to be baled consistently to a certain weight and dimension to make loading and positioning on the trailer safe and stable.
“If a bale becomes loose, then the entire stack might be compromised if straps were placed over that bale,” Philipp said.
According to Robert Kallenbach, professor and state extension specialist for the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri, one basic step in hay hauling safety is to make sure the equipment operator is not fatigued and has the experience and basic safety knowledge to package and move hay.
Another important factor in hay hauling safety is for producers to have the correct equipment. “This could be a cage, three-point spike, and etc.,” Kallenbach said. “Using this equipment properly will mean not lifting bales any higher than necessary and lifting round bales in the center when using a spike.”
When using a tractor with a front-end loader to move bales, be sure to have proper counter-weights on the back end. “When using the front and back end to haul bales, load the back end first, then pick up the second bale on the front end,” Kallenbach said. “When unloading, drop off the front end first.”
It is important that bales are not made any bigger than your equipment can handle. “Always adjust your baler to the size you need,” Kallenbach said. “Also remember with silage bales, the moisture content is higher than our forage grasses. Therefore, we need to consider that while a dry bale of prairie hay may weigh on average 1,200 pounds, a wet silage bale of the same size may weigh an average of 2,500 pounds.
Philipp also emphasized the importance of maintaining equipment, using special caution when driving, since trailers add to overall length of vehicle; using good-quality straps that are rated for sufficient strength; and that safety chains have to be attached to the trailer that is pulling the vehicle.
When it comes to stacking hay, a level spot is best. Kallenbach said, “It will also save time and possible damage to equipment if you clear your area of debris and other hazards before stacking hay. Producers may also use a gravel bed if the area is prone to moisture.”
When stacking round bales, it is recommended that they are stacked in a pyramid. Kallenbach also suggested that producers not place bales in contact with the metal sheeting of barns or storage sheds.
Another safety hazard is the cell phone. “Just as in driving a car while distracted by your cell phone, it is also dangerous while operating machinery.”
Producers need to contact their state Department of Transportation to check on their regulations for hauling hay. “When hauling on public roads, loads should be no more than 8.5 feet wide, and 13.5 feet high,” Kallenbach said. “Exceptions to these limits typically require special permitting.”
