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August
11, 2005
Use Caution
When Moving Large, Round Bales
Moving large, round
bales of hay and straw into storage can be hazardous if it isn’t
done properly, a North Dakota State University safety expert warns.
It can be dangerous
because of the many methods and types of machinery that workers use, according
to George Maher, NDSU Extension Service agricultural safety specialist.
“Many farmers
and ranchers move their large, round bales without using the safer procedures
and are lucky not to get hurt, while others are injured or killed,”
he says.
Farmers and ranchers
generally start moving bales this time of year. They may have to work
into winter to get all of their bales stored.
Here are some safety
procedures to use when using front-end loaders to move and stack large,
round bales:
- Do not overfill
the loader. Move only one bale at a time.
- Keep the front-end
loader as low as possible without digging into the soil to avoid overturning.
- Use a front-end
tractor equipped with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS) for moving
bales, and use the loader jaws.
- Move and turn
the tractor at low speeds.
- Set the tractor
wheels, front and back, to the widest setting possible to increase tractor
stability.
- Never transport
or lift a person on the loader or loader attachments.
- Look up to avoid
overhead electric power lines and other obstacles when moving with an
elevated front-end loader.
- Stop the loader
arms gradually when lowering or raising the front-end loader.
- Operate the loader
only from the operator's seat.
- Lower a raised
loader to the ground before leaving it unattended.
- Stay out of the
area under a raised front-end loader, loader attachment or any machine
operated with hydraulic power without securely blocking it in position.
- Keep elevated
large, round bales below the level of the hood when the tractor does
not have a four-post ROPS and the loader jaws or hydraulic grapple hooks.
- Use the most level
route possible when transporting bales. Avoid ditches, gullies and steep
hillsides.
- Level the loader
bucket tines as you raise the load to help prevent the load from rolling
backward.
“Always follow
the recommended precautions so you can see the results of your year's
work go to good use,” Maher says.
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Source:
George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ecrawfor@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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