Once upon a time, we used to be able to put hay up without having to touch it. Yep, the amazing hay wagon that would pick up 6 tons of bales straight from the field, bring the load into our hay barn and mechanically stack it into a vertical wall of bales. Here in New Hampshire, we still have a little mechanical help, but we're back to stacking the bales by hand. Today Alayne and I unloaded a 24' long (7.4 m) trailer of hay we'd bought from a neighbor. It was 93° outside (34° C) and a lot hotter upstairs in the hay loft! The mechanical help is the hay elevator you see in the photo; it carries the bale up a moving chain and dumps the bale off the end at the top. That's Alayne in the loft grabbing the bale. We took turns between being up in the loft stacking and down below feeding the hay elevator, the latter being a lot easier and cooler!
One thing that made this easier is that the bales we bought are only about 30 to 40 pounds (13 to 18 kg), versus the 70 pound bales we're used to lifting in Montana. We still can't get over how light they are!
You much have been a perfect fit when you two found each other. The team work it takes to keep this all in order, takes two very special people who love to do the same things and have the same goal in life. Bless you both for making a great life for your animals and for taking care of each other along the way.
Posted by: Kathy and Harley | July 11, 2010 at 02:01 PM
Hey Steve, with those bales only weighing in at 13 to 18 kg., can't you just throw 'em up there?
What is the nutritional difference between the new bales and your Montana bales? Do you have to feed more of these or is it a different ballgame altogether?
NPD
Posted by: pjmac7 | July 09, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Bless your hearts for all the hard work you and Alayne do at the ranch in addition to taking care of all the wonderful animals. Because of all you do, RDR is the fabulous place it is!
Posted by: Ann | July 09, 2010 at 12:36 AM
You two are amazing! I don't know how you do it....you certainly have been blessed with good health.
Posted by: Nina | July 08, 2010 at 09:32 PM
What happened to the old machine???? Did it die? Do we need a fund raiser?
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | July 08, 2010 at 06:53 PM
Good work lugging those bales. I guess that's one good way to stay in shape.
Seeing your picture of the barn made me think of the cats. Their new home is in the barn. How are they doing in their new digs?
Posted by: Peggy | July 08, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Wow, that is hard work under such warm temps. Hard work no matter what the temps are but that is miserable for you all! I hope you are able to figure out an easier way to stack & store them in the future.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | July 08, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Why are the bales so much lighter--are they simply sold for less? Andy why can't you use your wonderful hay wagon?
Posted by: Margaret S | July 08, 2010 at 01:31 PM
Hardy in Montana... and still hardy in New Hampshire. I hope Alayne has had a chance to relax and settle in? Doubtful.
I'm guessing she hadn't seen the new place before arriving last week, since we know you can't both travel together. How does she like it?
Posted by: Linda | July 08, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Steve & Alayne
I truely feel for you. I spent most of my Summers in the Hay fields of Easter Oregon. Doing exactly that loading up hay lofts.My granddad would tell me it builds Charactor. That is a load of garbage, the only thing I ever got out of stacking hay in a loft was straw down my back and dirty as all get out.
Posted by: Eric | July 08, 2010 at 10:55 AM
No wonder you guys are so fit!
Posted by: Kelly | July 08, 2010 at 10:51 AM
God bless you 2
Posted by: Ev | July 08, 2010 at 10:05 AM
You are so good to your animals. This is but one example of all the things you do for them. Bless you. In their own way I know each and every one of them appreciates it...if not all the work at least the life of luxury they now have because of you. Good Karma points are earned with every bale you throw, every bowl you fill and every kind hug and chin scratch you give.
Posted by: Anne in Florida | July 08, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Oh wow, what a hot job. The two of you are in really good physical condition. Be careful of the heat and stay hydrated! Where are your volunteers?
Posted by: Dee in KY | July 08, 2010 at 06:34 AM
No rest for the weary!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | July 07, 2010 at 08:33 PM
Oh my!!! Don't you have help yet? That sounds like the most awful job ON TOP of your regular animal care....
One way to stay thin I suppose... and they say the humidity is good for the complexion :-)...
Won't the old self-stacking machine work in this new setting?
Posted by: Gena | July 07, 2010 at 06:58 PM