Hay and straw baling is one of the most demanding stages of farm work, which raises many questions about the most optimal technical support for this process.
Who is this type of work relevant for?
First and foremost – for those in livestock farming, since preparing feed and bedding is mandatory on every farm. What’s more, many farms bale straw and use it for other purposes (for example, for heating or running a dryer) or simply sell it domestically or abroad.
How important are telehandlers in the field during hay baling?
During baling, a large amount of hay and straw needs to be loaded and moved, and in very tight timeframes at that, tied to weather conditions. During this period, a telehandler becomes simply essential. It’s exactly this kind of equipment that can load bales in the field at maximum speed, unload them in an indoor warehouse, or stack them two or three levels high in an open area. At some farms, the loader can even play the role of a tractor, towing a trailer with bales or hay. This way, just one person and two pieces of equipment handle the whole baling job!
What are the important features of loaders for hay baling?
For the vast majority of tasks, a machine with a lift height of up to 7 m is enough (Manitou MLT-X 735 or MLT-X 737). However, if bales are stacked into ricks, their footprint will depend directly on the loader’s lift height. So, to reduce the stacking footprint, the Manitou MLT-X 1035 or MLT-X 1040 model, with a lift height of up to 10 m, is used.
One important feature of the loader in this process is how the radiator-blowing system works. Working with large volumes of hay/straw, the loader’s radiator quickly clogs with debris.
If it isn’t cleaned in time, the risk of overheating increases.
The best solution to the problem is a radiator-cleaning system. On Manitou telehandlers it’s fitted as standard equipment; what’s more, it can work in automatic mode (blowing every 3 minutes), which removes dependence on the human factor.
It’s also worth paying attention to whether there’s an additional hydraulic line on the boom. This option lets you connect attachments with a hydraulic function (for example, a grab).
If the loader will be used to tow a trailer, pay attention to whether there’s a swiveling hitch at the rear. On many models, the standard configuration only provides a fixed hitch.
Maximum towing force will be a very important characteristic. On the Manitou MLT-X 735 you can tow a 16–20 t trailer. Brakes on both of the loader’s axles will also be an advantage.
What attachments do telehandlers need for hay baling?
For working with hay, the special Manitou FFGR hay grab is most often used.
When working with bales, most people use ordinary pallet forks, but it’s much more convenient and faster to work with special bale grabs. Grabs can be of several types:
For rectangular bales
For round bales
For wrapped bales
Combination grabs
Used for different bale types, but their lift capacity will be somewhat lower.
Does it make sense to use a telehandler at once for all three sequential operations: picking up hay, transporting it to the storage site, and the actual stacking? Or is it better to have a set: a loader for pickup + a tractor with a trailer + a loader for stacking?
Using a loader for transport makes sense for small farms. Given the loader’s versatility, the farmer can avoid additional costs of using a tractor/vehicle (depreciation, fuel and equipment-purchase costs), as well as wages.
At the same time, for large volumes of work it’s better to split up responsibilities. A loader is, first and foremost, a machine for loading, and it does that better than any other equipment. But a car or tractor can move faster on the road and will be more efficient. So, if loading and unloading operations alone are enough to keep the telehandler constantly busy, it’s better to use separate equipment for hauling hay and separate equipment for loading.
What power rating of loader is worth having for stacking hay at the base?
A loader of any power can work on stacking hay. More productive machines (120–140 hp) don’t give a big advantage when working with hay, but will significantly speed up work at the farm. But if a powerful engine is combined with a productive hydraulic pump (150–200 l/min), you can cut the time spent on operations, and quite significantly.
Does it make sense to use a telehandler for packing silage? How effective is that?
For packing silage, heavier and more powerful equipment is usually used, which, thanks to a larger contact area, will pack faster and more evenly. However, in the absence of such equipment, a telehandler is perfectly suited for this work (weighing from 7 to 12 t). It’s optimal to use more powerful models (for example, Manitou MLT-X 840, MLT-X 961) with a silage blade.
Serhiy Drozd,
product manager
+38 (050) 324-97-76
s.drozd@astra-group.com.ua
