Hay Loader Powered By Semi Tractor

Hay loader powered by semi tractor HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Bale Handling (5) 10-5-7 "It'll lift 5 tons of hay at a time," says Tony Aceti, Silver Lake, Oregon, who raises hay commercially and custom-loads hay for other growers in his area with a unique semi-tractor mounted heavy-built hay loader. Aceti started with a Freightliner truck which he no longer needed to haul hay. He installed 2,000 psi hydraulics and removed the 5th wheel to install a rear command center, setting up steering, brake, clutch and all other controls. To handle hay, a large mast fitted with squeeze arms was mounted on the back. All controls and add-on equipment can be removed in 2 hrs. to convert back to a straight over-the-road truck. "Shifting and braking controls are mechanically linked to override truck controls. It's pretty complicated to figure out and every truck is different. This truck was already geared low so we didn't have to gear it down for close-in work," says Aceti, noting that semi-tractors are ideal for the work because of their short wheelbase and over-the-road speeds. "I can move quickly from farmstead to farmstead at highway speeds." Aceti charges $60 to load a semi-trailer with hay. He spent about $20,000 to build the loader, not counting the truck, but notes that similar size cornmercial rigs cost $80,000 and more. "This truck is much easier to service and it has a good, heavy-duty Cummins engine," says Aceti. Once the hay is loaded, he simply jumps back in the cab and drives down the road. No changeover time is required. Aceti says it took him about 9 months, working part time, to build the loader. He says other farmers in the area have also built their own semi hay loaders. He's interested in building units on a custom basis. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tony Aceti, P.O. Box 45, Silver Lake, Oregon 97638 (ph 503 576-2229).

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