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Hay Stack Wagons
Big hay stack wagons, popular in the 1970's and early 1980's, are making a comeback, according to Cencorp Inc., Hesston, Kan., which recently began remanufacturing the old Hesston Stakhand 60B, a 6-ton model.
Cencorp bought the rights to manufacture all Hesston Stakhand products and is exclusive manufacturer for the entire product line, including stack haulers and feeders as well as wagons.
"As far as I know, we're the only company that still makes big stack wagons," says Earl Friesen, who was a Hesston employee for 23 years. "Hay stack wagons were very popular before the majority of farmers switched to round bales. Deere, McKee, Haybuster, and Farmhand all stopped making stack wagons in the 1980's. Hesston was the last company to get out of the business when they stopped making the 60B in 1985.
"We're reviving the idea because of demand from farmers dissatisfied with round bales. Stacks don't compact as tightly as bales so they breathe better, allowing you to bale hay up to 23% moisture without worrying about mold, compared to 18 to 19% moisture for round or square bales. Also, stacks absorb much less moisture than round bales because they have a 4-in. thatch cover on top.
"Our 60B is built almost exactly the same as the Hesston model and has the same bright red color. The only change is that the unloading system has been simplified. It's pto-operated instead of by an electric clutch. The wagon makes stacks that are 8 ft. wide and 20 ft. long. It has a pto-operated, 6-ft. wide pickup in front that's equipped with 24 rotary paddles. The paddles create a vacuum that pulls hay out of the windrow and blows it back into the wagon. Next year we plan to offer the 30B, a 3-ton model, as well as stack haulers and feeders."
Sells for under $35,000.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bucklin Tractor & Implement Co., Inc., Box 127, West Hwy. 54, Bucklin, Kan. 67834 (ph 316 826-3271 or 800 334-4823).


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1992 - Volume #16, Issue #4