pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Moving round bales down steep slopes. Anyone manage this without a vehicle? I have two ponies getting through lots of hay. Would love to use round bales but access is awkward and steep.
Round bales
- Thread starter pistolpete
- Start date
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
oh blimey, I would just say be very careful. When they start to roll, they can pick up some speed.
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
Don't know about down a slope, but we moved some round bales up a slope by turning the harrow upside down and rolling the bale on to the tines. Towed it up the slope behind the Shogun. Worked a treat but not sure I'd be brave enough to try it downhill!!
tda
Well-Known Member
I have a quad and a bale mover trailer, I have to go down a short slope to part of my yard and it's a bit hairy with the bale loaded.
I have when desperate dragged a round bale across the yard with my Hi lux and some wagon straps ðŸ˜ðŸ™„
I have when desperate dragged a round bale across the yard with my Hi lux and some wagon straps ðŸ˜ðŸ™„
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Could you get a contractor to take a winters worth of bales down the slope on a spike, stack and cover it. The somehow allow access to a bale at a time perhaps.
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
Could you rig up some sort of winch or pulley system?
AFB
Well-Known Member
What's at the bottom of the slope? (i.e. does it matter if it runs away?)
Can you put something to slow it at the bottom, i.e. a log/boulder?
Can you put something to slow it at the bottom, i.e. a log/boulder?
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
this would be the safest way I think. I have a stack of wrapped bales fenced off in the field and OH rolls one over to the horses when I want one.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
That was going to be my suggestion!
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
depends on how slopey the slope is and how big the log is I think, you could just end up making a round-bale skijump! 
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
depends on how slopey the slope is and how big the log is I think, you could just end up making a round-bale skijump!
On the other hand, this could be a great new winter entertainment!
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
just so long as there isn't anything particularly important at the bottom 
ester
Not slacking multitasking
I was more thinking a line of stakes tbf but whatever fun you want 
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
I spent a winter rolling round bales along a relatively flat lane (about 200yards) by hand. Other half came along and beat a fence post through the middle, tide a rope to each end and then towed it behind his 4x4 (smart a**e).
but, could you do similar and then use some kind of pulley system to slow the bales decent. Maybe round a big oak tree or something. As other have said it depends how steep the slope is.
but, could you do similar and then use some kind of pulley system to slow the bales decent. Maybe round a big oak tree or something. As other have said it depends how steep the slope is.
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
just so long as there isn't anything particularly important at the bottom
A sort of high stakes Russian roulette?
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
well you could make it really interesting couldn't you. Have a round bale feeder that you have to skillfully plop the bale into... with the sense of jeopardy - it might crash specacularly through the neighbour's conservatory if you get it wrong.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
Essentially, just make sure you film it.
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
Even better if they're sitting in the conservatory drinking tea and reading the Sunday paper at the time
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
double points.Even better if they're sitting in the conservatory drinking tea and reading the Sunday paper at the time
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
would it be like a solar eclipse if you looked up at the moment it was flying through the air towards you?
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
Headcams for those in peril so we can find out! Multi-angle devastation...
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Apologies to the OP, this has gone down one of those weird HHO rabbit holes but hopefully we've helped you find a way to have a bit of fun with the task anyway 
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Ha ha. Enjoyed that and confirms for me the risks are a bit too high! I can get round bales for £25 but I’ll continue with my £5 a small bale system for now. It’s only money ðŸ˜
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
Would you be able to store big bales somewhere and barrow sections of hay down the slope?
alexomahony
Well-Known Member
What about storing the round bale outside the field at the top of the hill and taking 24hr's worth each day in a barrow/nets?
I'm faced with a similar issue - barring the steep hill and currently figuring out what's best!
I'm faced with a similar issue - barring the steep hill and currently figuring out what's best!
Hack4fun
Well-Known Member
You will get a lot of wastage if you just put a round bale out - ring feeders were invented for good reasons.
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Yeah all joking aside I throw bits out to mine from the rounds that are fenced off. If I give them too much one will poo on it and another lies down in it
as it happens we have absolutely masses of hay this year but I don't want to waste it.Leandy
Well-Known Member
If you have room for big bales what about using non-rolly big square/rectangular ones?
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Same problem. Getting them down the hill.