Stacking square hay bales is more than just a skill — it ’s practically an art descriptor . If you seek to research the best way to stack square Bale , you ’ll run into a lot of infringe approaches and ideas .
There are many dissimilar way of life tostack hearty bales . One way is n’t needfully in effect than another . The different approach offer depart strength and weaknesses , just like unlike styles of art .
I wo n’t claim to be a Rembrandt or a Picasso in theart of heap square bales . But having deal tens of thousands of Basle through the years , I do have a handful of tips for how to stack your square hay bales .
study more : Square or round bales — which is right-hand for you ?
Bale layers should be stacked in alternating, interlocking fashion.
If there ’s one thing virtually all Fannie Farmer agree on , it ’s that each consecutive layer of Basel should be place vertical to the layer underneath , forming an mesh grid .
Suppose the bottom layer is arranged so the long side of each bale is parallel with a magnetic north - south line . The next layer up in the stack would turn the bales 90 level so the tenacious sides are parallel to an east - west air .
This interlocking approach ties stacks of Basle together in big , more stable groups . This minify the chance the hatful will lean ( or topple ) as it grows tall .
The bottommost bales should be stacked on their sides.
To increase airflow , it ’s recommend that at least the bottommost layer of Bale should be heap on their cut sides , in such a agency that the baling twine does not touch the floor . All subsequent layers can then be stacked flat with the bale twine facing up .
Another choice is to maintain the side - pile orientation course throughout the intact stack . In increase to promoting air flow , some folks say this approach repress issues with rodents jaw through baling string .
But I come up it difficult to walk on side - stacked bales ( peculiarly if they ’re bale loose and flossy ) . Walking across Basle is a essential when stack more than five or six layers high . So I prefer the directly - stack approach for the firmer footing it provide .
The length of each bale will affect your stack.
Why is bale duration important ? Well , if each bale is 18 inches wide by 36 inch long , they ’ll check together snugly when stack in alternating , interlocking fashion . Two of the 18 - inch brusk destruction , stacked side - by - side , will match the 36 - inch long ending of bale in side by side layer .
But maybe you do n’t need your push-down list super - snug . To promote air flow , a slenderly more open mint can be beneficial .
If your bale are 18 inches extensive by 38 inches long , you ’ll have to impart two - column inch gaps between adjacent bales in each layer to keep the stack lame . For very large stacks , this overture could potentially decrease stability .
But for short stacks , I have n’t found it to be an outlet . And the benefit gained from improved airflow are certainly deserving pursuing .
take more : Should you measure hay by the bale or by volume ?
Stacking against support walls can be helpful.
Building a square hatful is the tonality to maintaining stability as the superlative increases . But this is leisurely enjoin than done .
Adding one whole layer at a time can help , especially if you construct the outer perimeter of the stratum first . That agency , everything meshes together securely at the corners .
Hay Basle are n’t always consistent in price of size of it or build , though . This is peculiarly true if you ’re baling them unaffixed and flossy . As your pot maturate , it can become hard to keep everything straightforward , level and secure .
For these reasons , it can be helpful to stack hay in an area enclosed on at least three sides — even if some of the side are just irregular wooden studs reaching from trading floor to ceiling , partitioning off part of a larger place .
By stack right up against these straight and set backup walls , you ’ll give the entire hayrick something solid to incline on . This buy more margin for erroneousness if your bales resist to stack neatly .
You should still essay to heap securely . But sum up support walls to the mix can simplify the process and increase base hit , too .
On a related note , the tiptop of a haystack should not top its width by more than 50 percentage . If the base of your stack measures 20 feet recollective by 20 ft broad , the height should be set to 30 feet or less .
If you reconstruct a tall flock on top of a narrow substructure , you ’re ask for the stack to list or fall in one direction or another .
have us know who you prefer to stack your solid hay bales !
