Soft hands bale handler

Which witch is which
It depends what size tractor you have how fast the hydraulics are etc. They'll all do the job I have a paddle handle it does the job but if you had a lot of bales it would be a nightmare.

cz527 wrote: »

398 massey with a q940 loader and I've a thousand bales a year

Similar outfit to my own and I use a mchale soft hands. No bothers to her here anyways


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cz527 wrote: »

How much are they new

I think €1500 but I talked them down to €1400

They seem like a great job. I'm going to buy a handler for the loader in the next week or two and initially I was going for the one with the pipes but I read comments in an earlier thread about how much better these were, hence much research on you tube.

The only concern I'd have is for loading and unloading the old style 6 bale trailer with the pipes (bales loaded on the round). The 4 bales up front, would it be difficult to unload these with the soft hands type. I'd be drawing the bales unwrapped.

I'd prefer this type of handler as you can stack the bales on the ends. The elephant trunk type handler seems very good also, grabs the bale at either end. There is a yellow one advertised on done deal at the moment and I rang about it 1200 and I supply the loader brackets.

Carrigogunnell wrote: »

if ur unloading unwrapped I don't think it would be a problem. Reggie that photo is doing the rounds definately saw it on 1 if not 2 other treads ha ha. The reason I have one is simply there quicker to load and unload a trailer and don't have to be in line to load off load I leave slight gaps between bales and the vision is much better so in out gone. Draw all bales wrapped.

Its the only one I have of the soft hands

GiveMeStrength wrote: »

They seem like a great job. I'm going to buy a handler for the loader in the next week or two and initially I was going for the one with the pipes but I read comments in an earlier thread about how much better these were, hence much research on you tube.

The only concern I'd have is for loading and unloading the old style 6 bale trailer with the pipes (bales loaded on the round). The 4 bales up front, would it be difficult to unload these with the soft hands type. I'd be drawing the bales unwrapped.

I'd prefer this type of handler as you can stack the bales on the ends. The elephant trunk type handler seems very good also, grabs the bale at either end. There is a yellow one advertised on done deal at the moment and I rang about it 1200 and I supply the loader brackets.

You can stack them on their ends with the elephant trunk type as well, you just need somewhere to rest the bale down then catch the top corner with the front part of grab and you can roll it back towards you then squeeze it gently the other way to stack it, but more handling alright but gets there

Reggie. wrote: »

That involves a tipper

My cousin did up a video of me loading a 20ft bale trailer with the digger. Was able to put up 20 bales of straw in about 8 mins. Had the bales in 2's and would put up 2 at a time as he drove the trailer to each pick up point. Average loading time was about 15 mins but we had them all close to the trailer for the 8 min job. Can unload the bale trailer and stack straw in his shed in 10 mins.

IH784man wrote: »

Did you buy,

I think the roller bale grab is a more useful option because you can lift bags of meal and meal bins,then you can take of the roller yoks and take two hay bales at the time if your at hay.

A normal double bale spike will lift two bales also

Nobbies wrote: »

for anyone using a soft hands bale handler, do you stack one bale completely on another bale or is it partly on a 2nd bale? ie like if you were stacking tin cans.

Either really. Depends on farmer

RobinBanks wrote: »

Good timing that this thread was resurrected.

I am in the market for a bale handler for the font loader. I have a JX90 with a Quickie Q10 loader. Some points that would effect my decision on the type to buy.

I draw home the bales wrapped, are some types better suited to carrying wrapped bales or is it all down to the driver.

My tractor struggle to lift bales 2 high onto normal flatbed trailer using the standard pipe bale handler. Would soft hands be even more difficult because its a higher lift for the loader.


I want to buy pallet forks for the front loader but thought the standard bale handle where you can remove the pipes would do the same job.

There is allot more pro's and cons for all types but what are peoples experiences and what is the preferred type?

Seeking same advice. Leaning towards quicke roller type

The quicke handler looks very light! Id buy a Rossmore or something, they are far stronger.

Panch18 wrote: »

Apparently the TR3 elephant nose handler is the only way of handling large amounts of bales - and is way easier for loading and unloading a trailer

It's on my wishlist

Have one now in it's 3rd season. Super piece of kit, well designed and built. Super quick loading and unloading trailers, with no damage. Worth every penny over the soft paws or the pipe type. You'll have it for over 25 years with the build quality.

adne wrote: »

Is it only an issue stacking wrapped bales on trailer?

Ya just wrapped. Other that that it's fine. They are well built. Poster above said Rossmore but if ya want heavy duty then prodig is the strongest.

Have to consider what tractor handler will go on. TR3 great for big 6 cylinder tractor but for the lighter farmyard tractor it is a bit much in my opinion.