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Classic Machinery: The entrepreneurial dairy farmer behind the bale sledge

Have you ever wondered who invented the bale sledge? Simon Henley reveals the story behind the machine which revolutionised the way UK farmers gathered bales

clock • 7 min read
The Double-Four bale sledge was developed for production in 1961, building on the Super 8 design.
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The Double-Four bale sledge was developed for production in 1961, building on the Super 8 design.

The popularity of the trailed pick-up baler soared in the late-1950s. British farmers were experiencing an economic boom and mechanisation was the way forward. However, the new found efficiency of the...

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