How do I figure out an unloading mechanism for round hay bails weighing up to 1000 lbs from a trailer?

Question

I have a flatbed trailer with mobile home axel and tires under it. I need a hay hauling (for round bails) trailer. I want to be able to unload the trailer with minium force and am trying to figure out how long a leaver I have to have and how I'd have to make the bail cradle to allow safe hauling but quick safe unloading with out the addition of extra weight. I can figure it out but lack the time to build a model or experament beyond a trial or 2.

Answer 1

Ah the fun of farm-stable mechanics !!

We've had a "fun" time on our ranch... we have a low trailer 8'x16' with 1' tall box sides that we use for hauling hay (rectangles) and lots of brush / firewood.  Unloading the BRUSH was a particular problem.

Here's how we solved it:  We put 2" nylon straps down on the bed BEFORE loading the brush... to unload, we'd just pull the straps over the top and haul it out as a bundle.  If two people couldn't tug it out, we'd just hook the straps to the ATV and pull.

This should work FINE with round bales... individually wrap each bale if needed.  The straps are about $15-30 for a good set.  Round bales shouldn't require MUCH of a lever to get them rolling... I hope a physics-minded person can address that for you !!

For a cradle, I'd saw a few 6"x6" posts on the diagonal to make "chocks".  They will keep the bales from rolling in all but the most extreme circumstances.  I'd ALSO put tie-down points on your trailer so you can use nylon straps to hold the bales down.

GOOD LUCK.

Answer 2

Since the round bails is about 6 feet long use the back of your tractor where the lifting is and just make a two simple L-shape bracket, looks likes holding your arms bent at a 90 degree angle and weld it together and support with cross-members, remember not to lift higher than 3 to 4 feet......