We’re going to have to buy one. I don’t know anyone with one so I have no experience with them at all.
This 16’ is more than enough, we just need to get it from the trailer to the loft.
http://www.cashmans.com/product/16-hay-elevator/
http://www.everythingattachments.com/Snowco-16-Hay-Elevator-uses-electric-motor-p/snco-16-he.htm
I have beaten the bushes looking for a used one, no dice.
Any input on brands or warnings about brands would be most appreciated. thanks!
We have one but it was one of those things where a friend had it and got out of horses so we bought it, so I know nothing about other choices. The problem we run into with ours is that it is narrow so 2 strand bales go up fine, but a lot of the growers have gone to the big 3 strand bales and those are too wide for it. I try to find only 2 strand hay but sometimes it can be difficult anymore. Also think about where you will store it – ours just fits in our loft but any bigger would not. I think ours is a 16’ but I’m actually not sure. It is probably older than me but it keeps working!
I have a used one looking for a new home.
We also got our elevators used. One was free, needed work to make it usable. It is 40ft. The other is a 16ft, used several years for putting 300 bales up. They got out of horses, husband bought it, but not nearly the money shown for the new ones you linked.
We got the elevators when son moved away, neither of us could throw the bales so far or so high. Still had to get the bales in place to stack, so elevators were needed. I love them!! The main problem here, is storing them when not in use so they are not in the way. One is now kept outside on the semi flatbed, motor off so not in the weather. It gets greased so the chain works easily, smoothly when used and we put the motor back on. The short one hangs from the cross pieces in the sawdust “palace” by pulleys. Up and out of the way, easy to get down for use. Under cover, though still outside and also has motor removed for storage. Both are non-wheeled, have to drag them into place or carry to new locations for use. Certainly no place here to put a wheeled elevator.
We actually named them after son, Joey 1 and Joey 2, because they do his old job moving bales for us. He said he was honored!! Ha Ha
Have you checked Ag sites, places that sell tractors, used farm equipment? Even Facebook might have a place you could ask for an elevator, so a seller might notice you request.
We have one that was given to us. Doesn’t get used much, but it sure comes in handy when we need it! It is electric. No gas to mess with, just plug in and go. It is old and beat up and has been reinforced a few times. If we have to run 3 strand bales up, we turn them on their side and only run one up at a time.
[QUOTE=gumtree;8926785]
I have a used one looking for a new home.[/QUOTE]
Boo. You’re too far away!
[QUOTE=jdobbs64;8927081]
Boo. You’re too far away![/QUOTE]
It’s towable. Pretty big, height adjustable, It can be used for grain and small squares. They can be found on the used market but you have to be very vigilant. If priced right they sell very quickly. Like the same day listed.
Take a look here…Lancaster Farming. Lots of ads from all over the US.
http://www.lancasterfarming.com/classifieds/
We have one but don’t use it. Usually just me and hubby putting hay into loft. Need more that 2 people to keep it running. We use our tractor with a forklift.
they don’t seem to be common at all south of PA/MI/etc. I’m down south…
Does the person you buy hay from have one? I rent one for $40 per year from my hay supplier. Well worth it so I don’t have to store another piece of equipment.
Watch Craigslist-type places and better yet, keep your eyes open as you drive around and see if anyone has an old one they aren’t using and very politely make an offer. I have bought some great stuff that way. Some COTH posters are not fans of stop-ins but most farming types are just fine with it if you are polite and friendly. I have never had someone give me the evil eye in real life.
[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8931187]
Does the person you buy hay from have one? I rent one for $40 per year from my hay supplier. Well worth it so I don’t have to store another piece of equipment.
Watch Craigslist-type places and better yet, keep your eyes open as you drive around and see if anyone has an old one they aren’t using and very politely make an offer. I have bought some great stuff that way. Some COTH posters are not fans of stop-ins but most farming types are just fine with it if you are polite and friendly. I have never had someone give me the evil eye in real life.[/QUOTE]
That’s how I got mine. Saw it sitting for a long time, with weeds and vines growing on it. Finally stopped in and asked about it. They were happy to let it go for free. Saved them the hassle of disposing of it.
It was in rough shape but I have a shop so it wasn’t that much work to clean it up. Bought a new motor for around $150. Out of pocket around $200 plus several hours of my time.
"Some COTH posters are not fans of stop-ins "
I’ve noticed that in a lot of comments. Different stokes for different folks. IMO and experience having lived in many rural places I guess its the “country way” for folks who grew up and or have lived in the country for a long time.
Had a guy stop in the other day because he is interested in an old Discbine that has been parked in site of the road for a while now. Said as much and asked if I was interested in selling it. Which I was just haven’t gotten around to listing it.
Have had people stop in asking if I had hay for sale, inexpensive horses, inquiring about boarding etc. I suppose there is a chance that someone could be “casing” the place with nefarious intent. But I choose not to be too paranoid about this sort of thing. Too each their own.
If someone is uncomfortable about stopping in to inquire. Put a note in the mail box explaining their interest with phone number and email. That’s what I have done with great results.
The barn we board at uses one to get hay up into the storage areas from the arena. I suspect it’s about a 16’ unit.
We have a 20 foot one. Saves me so much grief.
[QUOTE=gumtree;8931605]
That’s how I got mine. Saw it sitting for a long time, with weeds and vines growing on it. Finally stopped in and asked about it. They were happy to let it go for free. Saved them the hassle of disposing of it.
It was in rough shape but I have a shop so it wasn’t that much work to clean it up. Bought a new motor for around $150. Out of pocket around $200 plus several hours of my time.
"Some COTH posters are not fans of stop-ins "
I’ve noticed that in a lot of comments. Different stokes for different folks. IMO and experience having lived in many rural places I guess its the “country way” for folks who grew up and or have lived in the country for a long time.
Had a guy stop in the other day because he is interested in an old Discbine that has been parked in site of the road for a while now. Said as much and asked if I was interested in selling it. Which I was just haven’t gotten around to listing it.
Have had people stop in asking if I had hay for sale, inexpensive horses, inquiring about boarding etc. I suppose there is a chance that someone could be “casing” the place with nefarious intent. But I choose not to be too paranoid about this sort of thing. Too each their own.
If someone is uncomfortable about stopping in to inquire. Put a note in the mail box explaining their interest with phone number and email. That’s what I have done with great results.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I was raised on a farm and it just seems normal to me when people stop in.
I got my manure spreader the same way, an old IH from the fifties just sitting there. Put a new floor in, oiled everything up and it has worked three times a week for six years now without a problem. Pretty sure that thing will last forever. The metal is so thick, not at all like modern hobby farm spreaders that you can’t leave poop and soiled bedding in at all or they corrode through fast.
We purchased ours from a farm auction when a farmer friend of ours passed away. We use it at lot. My husband has it suspended from the barn ceiling on a block and tackle setup. When he needs it, he just lowers the one end down to the floor, the other end remains in position.
We have one and I cannot imagine trying to deal with hay without it. Agree with whoever said the hardest part was finding a place to store it when not in use (ours goes into the side of the garage).
Do you have a local farm supply store? Perhaps ask there and see if they have a board you can post an ISO ad on. Word of mouth seems to work best that way around here.
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