Round bale weight

[KB9UDE]

Hi guys

I have some round bales sitting around the farm that are 3 years old. When we baled them I stacked and moved them around with my first 4120. Now that they have sat around outside in the rain they seem to be almost to heavy for my current 4120 tractor to lift with the loader. Is this normal?? They are not plastic wrapped. The bales from the last two years are easily moveable so it makes me think its not a tractor problem. What do you all think??

John

 

[George2615]

See link below. Hay left on the ground absorbs moisture. Hay is normally baled at 15-20% moisture. According to the report hay left uncovered directly on the ground for 6-8 months increases the moisture content to over 30%. This amount of moisture promotes the growth of mold and diminishes the hays value. That additional moisture also adds significant weight to the bale. When made into a bale 3 years ago the bale was much dryer and may have been below your loaders weight limit. The added moisture may have put its weight at or above the limits of the loader. The longer it sits exposed to the elements the more moisture (weight) can be absorbed.
I am not a farmer but did work on a farm many years ago and this subject was brought up to me back then.



Preserving the Value of Stored Hay

 

[KB9UDE]

Thanks George!!

I thought this might be the case since the tractor has no trouble with the newer bales...

The last few years we have been using a plastic 6ft bale wrap to help keep moisture out.

The small square bales are all kept in one of the barns and we hope to someday be able to build another 120ft x 90ft barn for round bales.

John

 

[texasjohn]

George said it right.