Moving bales with Hustler bale handling attachments on ‘Our Wyoming Life’

Published 13th July 2023
United States

For those who have been following our stories for a while, you have probably been keeping up with the Hustler Showdown video series on the YouTube channel ‘Our Wyoming Life’. If you missed the three previous episodes, you can watch them here, here, and there.

This time, Mike has released a special edition of the Hustler Showdown as he takes us through the final hay yield count of the season. And what better opportunity than this to put the Hustler bale handling attachments to the test!

In this video, Mike is going to look closely at three pieces of bale handling attachments:

So do the Hustler forks and grabs earn their keep on the ranch? Watch the video to find out!

Right after hay harvesting, Mike is used to stacking bales in one place to allow them to cure and dry out, making the process more convenient for later transport via truck/trailer. Stacking bales from all over the field can be a time-consuming task, but it presents the perfect opportunity to put the Hustler bale handling attachments to the test!

To assist in this endeavor, Mike is accompanied by Jeff, who is experienced in executing various farm tasks on the ranch, including bale harvesting. With Jeff’s extensive field experience, we will gain a clear understanding of the features and benefits offered by each piece of equipment.

Hustler LiftMax LM160 bale fork

Jeff proceeds to test the LiftMax LM160 (a bale fork with four spears, excluding the center spear that can be added as an optional extra) by picking up two round bales, and placing one on each set of spears. The LiftMax LM160 showcases its capability to handle multiple bales, potentially speeding up the bale stacking process.

However, Jeff notes that the LiftMax LM160 might have been developed primarly for square bales due to its design. The adjustable design of the LiftMax LM160 allows for stacking square bales at varying heights, optimizing the tractor’s lifting capacity.

Hustler LiftMax LE110 bale fork

Next, Mike and Jeff examine the Hustler LiftMax LE110, a smaller version of the LM160, designed for more compact tractors. The LiftMax LE110 features two spears, with an option for an upper spear attachment. Jeff tests the LiftMax LE110 by picking up a single round bale, and assessing its functionality.

Mike’s relatively large tractor is able to handle it with ease. “For smaller bales – I think your neighbor has a small baler smaller round baler – like four-foot bales, it probably works probably perfect,” Mike said.

Hustler Softhands LX200 bale grab

The third bale handling attachment showcased in the video is the Hustler Softhands LX200. Mike explains that the Softhands is primarily used for handling silage bales without damaging the wrapping. Unlike the other attachments, the Softhands is hydraulic and offers a gentle and controlled grip on the bales. Mike expresses excitement about testing the Softhands, noting its versatility and potential benefits.

Jeff tests the Softhands by grabbing a round bale, appreciating the fact that it doesn’t cause any damage to the bale or the net wrap. He mentions the advantage of increased visibility provided by the Softhands’ design, allowing for better control during the bale handling process. Jeff explores different ways of gripping the bales, including from the end, from the top, and from the side.

Jeff’s Favorite Bale Handling Attachment

After using Mike’s older bale spear and all three Hustler bale handling attachments, Jeff is asked to choose his favorite for the upcoming bale gathering work. Jeff selects the Hustler Softhands as his preferred attachment, praising its ability to handle bales without causing damage and its versatility in gripping the bales from different angles.

 

We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mike on his outstanding hay yield this year! Last year, Mike harvested 20 bales from the 80-acre field, which equated to approximately 28,000 pounds of feed. This amount was sufficient to feed the cows for about 18 days only. However, this year, Mike achieved a remarkable improvement with a total of 70 bales, amounting to 98,000 pounds. This substantial increase can largely be attributed to the successful incorporation of clover in their fields, despite the ranch experiencing a significantly wetter season compared to the previous year.

 

Stay tuned for the next episodes of the Hustler Showdown on ‘Our Wyoming Life‘ – make sure to subscribe to get notified!