HANDLING THE HAY CROP 



167 



HAY SKIDS 



Hay slips, or hay skids, are used on the old smooth 

 fields in the eastern states. They are usually made of 

 seven-eighths-inch boards dressed preferably on one 

 side only. They are used smooth side to the ground to 



Figure V6. Hay Skid. This hay skid is 8 feet wide and 16 feet 

 long. It is made of %" lumber put together with 2" carriage bolts 

 plenty of them. The round boltheads are countersunk into the 

 bottom of the skid and the nuts are drawn down tight on the cleats. 

 It makes a low-down, easy-pitching, hay-hauling device. 



Figure 147. Hay Sling. It takes no longer to hoist 500 pounds 

 of hay than 100 pounds if the rig is large and strong enough. Four 

 feet wide by ten feet in length is about right for handling hay 

 quickly. But the toggle must reach to the ends of the rack if used 

 on a wagon. 



slip along easily. Rough side is up to better hold the 

 hay from slipping. The long runner boards are held 

 together by cross pieces made of inch boards twelve 

 inches -wide and well nailed at each intersection with 

 nails well clinched. Small carriage bolts are better 

 than nails but the heads should be countersunk into the 

 bottom with the points up. They should be used with- 



