|
NW IA | I am very happy with the accumulator. It does need to shine up a bit to get started after sitting for a while. Super low tech, no electronic or hydraulic setting gremlins, I'm no good at those games.
It is small and that fits my limited shed space. An 8 bale would be nice, but the way I run this thing comes into play. I grab 4 in the back of the accumulator and bump the next 4 ahead a bit to even them up, then back up a couple of inches so the first 3-4 layers allow you to tighten up the top 2-3 layers so that the stack on the wagon or in the shed doesn't get "tippy." Wagons with the back sloped are a big help in getting the racks out of the field without falling apart as well.
This system is not as fast as having a crew on the wagon. Unloading on the yard with a grapple requires suitable ground storage.
Unless I have competent help driving the baler and "green" help following me with the skid loader it is a slow process baling and picking up alone. I typically bale and then have a chaser follow the skid loader. I have scattered empty racks around the field when I'm alone, but that can be tedious and do more damage to the stand by loading on the same spot repeatedly.
I ran out of help sources and I either had to automate to some degree or give up small squares. On a hot nasty day there is a huge bonus in not having to stop to switch racks or show mercy to a stacking crew.
I have a 4x5 Round baler to get hay up fast in front of a rain. I had just shy of a thousand smalls on the ground 3 years ago and blew the grapple cylinder. I was fortunate in having a long dry spell in which to fix and get the bales off the field. Now I have a cheap backup grapple.
A ten bale with the tie pattern might be faster and less touchy to make stacks that don't come apart, but my storage options didn't fit and my skidder was at the limit with 8 bales out front. Ten bale grapples do use the space on standard wagons more efficiently.
It works as advertised with the exception of oat straw. I think the stainless insert on the slope might take care of that. Straw is light and slick so it doesn't always pull the pack out.
Sorry, that got kinda long. Just things I've learned. The folks at Kuhns/Norden have been great to work with and a call to them with questions might be worth it. | |
|
Pics 2025
