Tightly compacted bales of shavings- any help appreciated

[limestonelil]

When I only need to use part of a really tight packed shaving bale,keeping the rest in the wrapper, it takes me ages to get the shavings out, without damaging the plastic protecting the rest of the bale.Hurts hands and fingers,I sometimes use a knife to prise lumps out, later on you can jump on the remaining part in the plastic so it is less compacted. Which makes it easier, so much easier as they are spread out, but still in the wrapper. Anyone got a brilliant idea to help with this initial problem? I'm sure there is an obvious solution and I'm just being a bit thick not to have worked it out by now.TIA.

 

[mcnaughty]

Personally, I would just use the whole bale but put half of it in an area that wont get pooped on if you know what I mean! You could always try sitting down really hard on the bale a few times, as this sometimes loosens them up ....

 

[Sukistokes2]

when i do this I cut around the bale using a kitchen knife. Once the plastic is cut the whole way i give it a damn good kick/pull to separate the two halves, I put one half away and the other half i just empty out by tipping it upside down. Before you ask yes the two halves do stay in the bag.

 

[Penny Less]

Cut the bale plastic all the way round with a knife halfway down the bale, then you can just pull the top half off and use that half the shavings, that's what I do.

Snap Sukistokes ! posted at the same time

 

[Sukistokes2]

Cut the bale plastic all the way round with a knife halfway down the bale, then you can just pull the top half off and use that half the shavings, that's what I do

Great mind huh!!!!

ps you use the empty piece of bag to cover the top of the full bit.

 

[Auslander]

They generally split better lengthwise - guess its to do with how they are packed. I'd split round the length as far down as the amount you want out, then, if it doesn't fall off in a flake, I persuade it with a metal shovel.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I put the excess in a bank and pull it down as needed.

 

[WelshD]

when i do this I cut around the bale using a kitchen knife. Once the plastic is cut the whole way i give it a damn good kick/pull to separate the two halves, I put one half away and the other half i just empty out by tipping it upside down. Before you ask yes the two halves do stay in the bag.

This. it works perfectly

 

[JustKickOn]

Cut the top of the bale open, pull out one section of shavings, then stand the bale on the uncut end and drop one side into the floor like a domino, repeat on all four sides. Da daaah

 

[Pinkvboots]

Great mind huh!!!!

ps you use the empty piece of bag to cover the top of the full bit.

This is what I do or cut around three quarters of it pull the top bit down over the bottom bit, top bit just falls off then pull top bit of plastic over the bit you want saved.

 

[limestonelil]

Great.Thank you all for some really good workable suggestions - I just knew I was missing a trick with it.
xx

 

[brighteyes]

I know of one brand which is a workout in itself to break and separate the bale once out of the wrapper. These are not your average 'dust-extracted' shavings. They are VERY compressed. I use a straw fork to prise them apart.

 

[Tnavas]

Don't you just hate those tight packed bales - they are cruel to the fingers - what I used to use was a weeding fork with three bent tynes. Just press and drag across the surface.

 

[limestonelil]

Two more great suggestions - thank you.
xx

 

[FfionWinnie]

Just cut the plastic at the point you want them to stop coming out then it's easy.

 

[Tess Love]

when i do this I cut around the bale using a kitchen knife. Once the plastic is cut the whole way i give it a damn good kick/pull to separate the two halves, I put one half away and the other half i just empty out by tipping it upside down. Before you ask yes the two halves do stay in the bag.

This is what I do and it means you can take any amount you want. It's surprisingly easy to halve/third etc a bag of shavings. I do it even when I use the whole bag as it's easier split in 2 then break up and spread out. And yes the unused part stays compacted but best to put in a black bag to cover the open end just in case it gets knocked over.