Idiots guide to round bales of hay

[kerrieberry2]

is there an easy way to get big bits of hay off these big bales? I've got my first round one ever today and made a right pigs ear of it!

 

[**Vanner**]

You need to peel it off in the reverse of how it's been rolled. It should just fall off then in big swathes

 

[kerrieberry2]

ah okay, so will be a good idea to take all of the netty stuff off then haha! probably started at the top then

 

[**Vanner**]

ah okay, so will be a good idea to take all of the netty stuff off then haha! probably started at the top then

All off completely and pull round.

 

[RobinHood]

Take the netting off and you should be able to peel big pieces off by walking around it. Sometimes the bottom won't come away and if so you can topple the bale and unroll it.

 

[kerrieberry2]

cool thanks guys! its already on its side where the farmer some how got it in a stable for me! so hopefully I wont make such a mess in the morning haha!

 

[Auslander]

Needs to be on its end for you to peel big bits off!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Get some help and rock the bale until you can give it a big heave and stand it up.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Stand it on its flat end and take the net off. The net incidentally will also have an end, and you can just pull it off round the bale rather than trying to cut it.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Best way to open a large bale is stand it up flat side down get a stanley blade and cut it all around the bottom then make two or three cuts from the top down to the bottom and peel it all off, the plastic and net needs to all come off then you just wind it off the bale.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Best way to open a large bale is stand it up flat side down get a stanley blade and cut it all around the bottom then make two or three cuts from the top down to the bottom and peel it all off, the plastic and net needs to all come off then you just wind it off the bale.

Do take care with the netting. Personally I cut the wrap but try to not cut into the netting. Remove the wrap and then very carefully unwrap the netting. You do not want any stray strands of netting left on the hay. More than one horse has lost it's life by eating netting from a big bale.

 

[case895]

I wrap a cargo strap around the middle to stop the bale collapsing. As you take more off, tighten the strap.