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cutting hay bales
Posted by JohnT at 2014-12-08 15:33:01
Hey Vince tell us more about cutting hay bales in half.
What kind of hay how big of a mess is it hard, I have never thought of doing this. I can buy 3x3x8 alfalfa but they are a pain to feed.
Response by KC Fox at 2014-12-08 21:47:32
3x3x8 have 4 strings don't they? Just take a 36' bar and chain and cut the bale length wise between the strings & you have a smaller chunk of feed. it is alot easier to handle. grass or any other hay it don"t make a big mess just have to watch for sparks so as not to burn things down.
Response by Gary at 2014-12-09 07:51:20
I have tried a chainsaw to cut round bales with little success. I've been told to use sharp chains, worn chains, etc, but nothing I've tried worked very well. Could someone shed some light on the matter as it would make handling the hay a lot easier.
Response by Vince Mautino at 2014-12-09 08:44:53
JohnT. I use a 22" bar on my Homelite. I feed 3x3x8 ft grass hay. I cut it down the center between the strings on one end. I start at one end, cut the 22 " depth ,cut the center strings and pull them completely out. Then I cut one of the outer strings , feed that 18" X 3 feet side, retie the string and repeat with the other side. When I am done with that hay, I repeat the whole thing again.

When I have used up enough hay in the barn and have room, I cut the whole bale, stacking up the hay as I cut from the end.

As mentioned, watch out for sparks. I have a fire extinguisher on the pole next to where I am cutting, but have never used it.

I tried an electric chainsaw( they are smaller though) and used vegetable oil as the bar oil. That did not work as the oil gummed up the front sprocket and I burned up the saw motor. Olive oil might work as it has a higher temperature rating. I just use old motor oil. The small amount on the hay isn't enough to hurt the mules. (I have been doing this 10-15 years without any problems to the mules).

Alfalfa might make a little more fine stuff since the leaves will come off. Worth a try though. It might work better than the grass bale as the flakes on a grass bale do not come off as a clean flake. Alfalfa, since a conditioner is used in the baler or swather, might have the flakes break free in nice layers. Either or though the 36"x 18" are easier to throw than the 3' x 3'flakes

Gray. Yea, cutting round bales won't work because they are rolled and you can't cut them without cutting all the strings.. One reason I don't feed them.
Response by KC Fox at 2014-12-09 10:13:03
I cut round bales first stand them on end then just cut them down move over for as big a flake of hay as you want. Used this method to fill hay feeders for the Goats we had a small group only 250-300 head. I used a 32" bar fullskip chain on a STIL 041 it works just do it. just keep the hay from filling up the shield over the chain, as that will wreck the saw. I never tried with a dull chain. cutting the strings don't bother you any. If you leave a 6' chunk of hay on the top edge unct the rest of the bale will stand until you cut or tear it a part.
Response by Klaus Karbaumer at 2014-12-09 12:31:08
KC Fox. how do you "keep the hay from filling up the shield"? That was the problem that I had when I tried it ? I have an 18in Stihl Farm Boss chainsaw.
Response by rdennis at 2014-12-09 18:32:42
Not sure if this helps, but I have cut good tight round bales with a sharp double bitted ax.. works pretty slick.. cut it lengthways and it lays out flat, eventually, when you get it cut to the center and then it's pretty easy to pitch it.. doesn't work the best on loose made grass bales...
Response by Dave Schulz at 2014-12-09 20:44:04
I lent one of my antique hay knives to a friend who had round bales and he had pretty good luck using it.
Response by BV at 2014-12-09 20:48:24
We never had problems with shield filling up but I would try replaceing shield with washers.
Response by KC Fox at 2014-12-10 00:02:24
I usually just take the shield off put a 1/2 inch nut on the bolt and tighten the bar nuts down like usual. wear a pair of glasses to keep the oil and grass out of your eyes. that is what I do when I split wood with the chain saw to. hope this helps you.
Response by Klaus Karbaumer at 2014-12-11 08:58:19
It worked, thank you KC Fox!
Response by jcmo at 2014-12-11 23:43:19
Just a tip I cut hay after I run the bar oil out and fill about half full of vegetable oil adds a little shine to the coat and easier to clean off my face after I cut with no gaurd
Response by Vince Mautino at 2014-12-12 09:28:17
jcmo. Hint. If you use vegetable oil, and the tip on the bar with the gear in it gets hot enough. The vegetable oil will gum up and seize the chain. BTDT with two electric chain saws. Results were a burned up motor.
Cheap olive oil has a higher burn temp. , but I still use just regular used motor oil.

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