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Hay, Forage & Livestock EquipmentBale Bed Truck Attachments
A bale bed turns a pickup or flatbed into a hay handler that loads, hauls and feeds bales without a tractor. Fit to your truck, your bale type and your routine decides if it pays off.
Key points
- Check that your truck's chassis and weight rating match the bale bed.
- Match the bed to the bale type and size you handle.
- Never use your hand to look for a hydraulic leak.
- Watch overhead lines when tilting or lifting.
- Check state rules for load securement and lighting.
What is a bale bed?
A bale bed is a hydraulic bed, often mounted on a pickup or small truck chassis, that can tilt, slide or pick up bales and place them on the ground or in a feeder. Some models handle round bales and some handle square bales. Others are bale spears or carriers that mount on a truck or ATV.
Many ranchers use them for winter feeding because they cover ground quickly and let one person do the work.
A 30-acre hay producer feeding from stored bales in winter might have a few dozen bales to place across several pastures. A bale bed saves repeated tractor starts in cold weather and keeps the loader free for other work.
How does a bale bed differ from a tractor with a spear?
A tractor with a loader and spear lifts and carries bales, but it is slower on the road and not always available. A bale bed rides on a truck and goes faster between pastures. It usually handles one or two bales at a time, depending on the design.
A tractor is more versatile, with other jobs and implements. A bale bed does one job well. Weigh how many hours you spend feeding.
If you already own a skid steer or loader tractor, a bale spear may be the cheaper way to get started.
What should you ask before buying?
Truck fit is the first question. Ask for the manufacturer's information on the chassis, gross weight rating and suspension that the bed requires. An overloaded truck is hard to stop and steer.
Ask what bale sizes and weights it is designed for, who services the hydraulics, and what the warranty covers. Warranty terms vary, so read them yourself.
Look at the controls from the operator's seat. Can you see the bale, the ground and the feeding area, or do you need a spotter? Poor visibility is a danger around livestock and people.
- Truck gross weight rating and chassis fit.
- Bale size and weight limits.
- Hydraulic power source and service availability.
- Controls: where you stand and what you can see.
How do you operate one safely?
Load bales carefully so the load is balanced. Keep your hands clear of tilting and sliding parts. Never stand under a raised bed or a bale. Watch for overhead lines when the bed tilts or lifts a bale.
Drive slowly with a load, particularly on slopes and in wet or icy conditions. A top-heavy load can shift in a turn.
Before you drive off the road onto soft ground, check the bed for balance and ease off the speed. A loaded truck can bog down in a wet pasture, and recovery is slow and risky.
What are the hydraulic safety rules?
Hydraulic hoses and fittings carry fluid under high pressure. A pinhole leak can inject fluid under skin, which is a medical emergency. Never use your hand to find a leak. Shut down, relieve pressure as the manual directs, and have a qualified technician repair it.
Use the fluid the manufacturer specifies and follow the manual's maintenance steps.
What about road rules and weight limits?
Hauling bales on public roads brings rules on load securement, width, height and lighting that vary by state. Check your state DOT, highway patrol or department of motor vehicles. A load that looks tied down may not meet the legal standard.
Strap bales according to the guidance you receive and re-check the load after the first mile.
How do you maintain a bale bed?
Grease pivots and slides, inspect hoses and cylinders, and check the hydraulic fluid level and condition. Clean off hay, mud and manure, which hold moisture and cause rust. Look for cracked welds and loose mounting bolts after heavy use.
Keep a written log of when you serviced the hydraulics and greased the pivots, so you know what is due next.
Before winter, run the bed through its full range with nothing on it. Slow or jerky movement often points to low fluid, air in the system or a worn cylinder, and a shop can sort that out better in the off season than in a January storm.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.