UK farmer’s authentic feedback on Hustler Softhands bale grab

When Will Shemilt from Red Hill Farms needed to upgrade his equipment, he turned to Hustler Softhands LM100 bale handlers. Throughout the buying process, Will found Hustler to be a pleasure to deal with, and was impressed with the quality of the gear. As a farmer himself, he values honesty and authenticity, which is why he created a video review to share his thoughts “from a farmer to a farmer” about this new piece of kit on his farm. Check out his video review for an honest and informative take on the Hustler Softhands bale handlers.

When it comes to handling bales, having the right equipment is essential for success. And for Will Shemilt, owner of Red Hill Farms in Northamptonshire, UK, choosing the right bale grabs was critical to ensuring smooth and efficient operation.

“I ain’t making a video because Hustler’s paying me. I’m making a video because I bought something and I really like it,” Will said.

After extensive research, Will opted for the Hustler Softhands LM100 bale handler, and he couldn’t be happier with his choice. In a video review “from a farmer to a farmer,” he shares his experience with the Hustler Softhands and why he believes it’s the right choice for any farmer looking for quality equipment. “I couldn’t really, to be honest, find anything I don’t like” he said.

“She is solid”

Will particularly appreciated the smooth buying process. “I phoned their UK office. They told me what the price was, they told me the dealer to phone. I phoned up the dealer, he confirmed that the price was exactly the same and boom, it was on farm within a week,” he remembered. 

What made Will choose Hustler Softhands bale handlers?

What drew Will to Hustler Softhands bale handlers initially was the attention to detail and care the company puts into the development and manufacture of even small products. He was impressed by the information on the company’s website, which demonstrated their commitment to quality and innovation.

Will chose the Softhands LM100 model, which is perfect for handling round bales of all sizes, including the wrapped bales that make up the majority of his hay production, which is approximately 7,000 to 10,000 bales per year. “I’m probably squeezing this 50,000 to 60,000 times!”

“Great, simple, really well-made bit of kit”

He appreciated the bale handlers’ unique curved shape, which reduces the risk of tearing or popping the bales during handling, thanks to the even distribution of pressure. “The shape of it was something I absolutely loved, I didn’t realise this, but it’s sort of curved. This doesn’t create any pressure points so less chance of tearing, and less chance of popping. She’s the shape of a bale,” Will detailed. 

The benefits of Hustler Softhands bale handlers

Will was pleased with the ease of use and maintenance of the LM100 model. The bushings are solid and the grease points are easy to access, making it easy to maintain the set of grabs. The parallel linkage bar on the Softhands LM100 ensures that the bale arms open and close at the same time, making it easier to handle bales of different sizes. 

“I’ve got the parallel linkage bar there.” Will is talking about the Hustler patented floating Equaliser® bar that comes as standard on all Softhands LM100. “So it makes them open and close at the same time, rather than be floppy,” he said. The Equaliser® bar Provides unparalleled loading/stacking ease of use – back out of bales without moving the adjacent bale, turn whilst backing out of bales allows for use in tighter spaces. Keeps the hands moving simultaneously, providing all the precision and safety of a fixed Equaliser bar. Full stroke side push – for pushing bales up tighter together. Reduced side loads on the front end loader.

“The grease points are really easy to get to”

Another great feature of the Hustler Softhands is its proximity to the carriage. Will noticed immediately that his tractor’s weight distribution was much better than with other bale handlers he had used in the past. The LM100 model is designed to put more weight on the back wheels of the tractor, which reduces the weight on the front wheels, making it easier to maneuver.

“It’s closer to the carriage – It’s the sort of thing I read online and thought “they’re all as close to the carriage!” but from the first bale I picked up with this, I noticed that there was more weight on the back wheel of my tractor, less weight on the front wheel,” Will explained.

Overall, Will was very pleased with his experience dealing with Hustler and appreciated the four-year warranty that came with the bale handlers. He found them to be a reliable and efficient solution for his farming needs.

“I couldn’t recommend it enough, and that’s from a farmer to a farmer”

If you’re in the market for a bale handler, the Hustler Softhands LM100 is a reliable and efficient solution that is sure to impress. Whether you’re handling hay bales or wrapped bales, the Hustler Softhands LM100 is a great choice for any farmer looking for a reliable and efficient bale handler.

Find Will on Instagram and give him a follow 👍

And do you want to know more about Hustler’s awesome products? Contact us today, you’ll be glad you did!