6 Best Hay Elevators for Small Farms

There’s a moment every summer when you’re staring at a wagon full of hay bales and a barn loft that seems ten stories high. Your back is already aching just thinking about it. This is the exact moment a hay elevator proves it’s worth its weight in gold, turning an exhausting, multi-person job into a manageable task. For the small-scale farmer, finding the right elevator on a homestead budget is the key to making hay season sustainable year after year.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Choosing a Hay Elevator for Your Homestead

The first question isn’t "which one?" but "what for?". Are you moving tight 50-pound square bales, loose hay, or chopped silage? The answer immediately narrows your options, as a skeleton-frame bale elevator is useless for loose material, and an auger can’t move a bale.

Next, consider your barn. Measure the distance from where the wagon will sit to the highest point the hay needs to reach. An elevator’s length is its most critical specification; a 24-foot elevator won’t do you any good if you need to clear a 28-foot peak. Also, think about power. An electric motor is quiet and reliable if you have an outlet nearby, but a small gas engine offers portability if you’re stacking in a remote field or a barn without power.

Finally, be realistic about your budget and mechanical skills. A shiny new machine comes with a warranty but a high price tag. A rusty elevator at a farm auction might be a steal, but only if you have the time and ability to replace a motor or weld a cracked frame. Your time has value, and sometimes paying a bit more upfront saves you countless hours of frustration later.

The Little Giant 3000: A Versatile Classic

You’ll see these iconic green or red elevators leaning against barns all across the country. The Little Giant is a classic for a reason: it’s a simple, no-frills machine that just works. They were built in various lengths, typically from 16 to over 40 feet, making it possible to find one that fits your specific loft height.

Their design is straightforward, using a simple pintle chain with paddles or "flights" to drag bales up a metal trough. Most are powered by a basic 1/2 or 3/4 horsepower electric motor, which is easy to replace if it ever gives out. Because of their simplicity, repairs are often manageable for the average homesteader with basic tools.

The biggest advantage of a Little Giant is availability and affordability on the used market. They are common finds in classifieds and at farm auctions. The downside is that older models can be incredibly heavy and may lack modern safety guards. Still, for a first elevator on a tight budget, a well-maintained Little Giant is a fantastic, reliable choice.

Smoker Farm Elevators: Built for Durability

If you find a used Smoker elevator for sale, pay close attention. These machines are a significant step up in construction and are known for being absolute workhorses. Unlike the open-sided design of many other elevators, Smokers typically feature a deep, enclosed trough made of heavy-gauge steel.

This enclosed design is a major benefit. It contains the bale securely, preventing it from tumbling off the side on a steep incline. It also does an excellent job of catching the valuable leaves and chaff that break off, especially when moving high-quality alfalfa. This means more of your hard-earned hay ends up in the barn and not on the ground.

While a new Smoker is a serious investment, a used one is a treasure. They hold their value for a reason, so expect to pay more than you would for a lighter-duty brand of the same length. However, that extra cost buys you peace of mind and a machine that will likely outlast you if properly maintained. They are a prime example of getting what you pay for.

Finding a Used New Holland 155 Bale Elevator

New Holland is a titan in the hay equipment world, and their bale elevators are a common sight on farms of all sizes. The Model 155 is one of those ubiquitous pieces of equipment that you can often find at a reasonable price if you’re patient. It’s a skeleton-frame elevator, meaning it’s lighter and more maneuverable than the heavy-trough models.

This lightweight design is its biggest selling point for a small operation. One or two people can easily move it into position and adjust the height. It’s designed specifically for handling standard square bales and does that one job with incredible efficiency. It’s a specialized tool, but it excels at its task.

The key to buying a used New Holland is a thorough inspection. Check the frame for any bends or cracks, especially around the pivot points. Sight down the length of it to ensure it’s straight. Most importantly, inspect the chain for worn or broken links and check the sprockets for worn-out teeth. The good news is that parts are still widely available through New Holland dealers, which is a huge advantage over obscure, older brands.

GSI Portable Auger for Chopped Hay and Silage

Sometimes, a traditional elevator just isn’t the right tool for the job. If your homestead focuses on chopped forages like haylage, corn silage, or even moving bulk grain, you need an auger. Trying to move this kind of material with a paddle elevator is an exercise in futility and waste.

A portable auger is essentially a large screw inside a long tube. An engine or motor turns the screw, pulling material up from an intake hopper at the bottom and depositing it out the top. GSI is a well-known brand in grain handling, and their portable augers are a common and reliable choice. They are efficient, fast, and designed specifically for loose materials.

This is a perfect example of matching the equipment to the system. An auger is not a versatile tool; it won’t move your square bales. But if your feeding program is built around silage, it’s an essential piece of equipment. Buying one means you’re committing to that system, but it will save you an incredible amount of manual labor compared to shoveling.

The BEFCO BALE-MASTER 800: A Modern Option

For the homesteader who values reliability and safety over the potential bargain of a used machine, buying new is a valid strategy. The BEFCO BALE-MASTER 800 represents a modern, well-built elevator designed for small to medium-sized farms. It’s an investment, but it eliminates the guesswork and hidden repair costs of a 40-year-old machine.

Modern elevators like this one often use lighter-weight but strong materials, making them easier to move and set up. They come with reliable, properly-sized electric motors and a transport kit with good tires, not rusted-out rims from the 1970s. Most importantly, they are built to current safety standards, with proper guarding over chains and pinch points.

The decision to buy new comes down to a tradeoff between time and money. You will spend significantly more upfront for a BEFCO than for a used classic. However, you get a machine that works perfectly out of the box, comes with a warranty, and won’t require you to spend a winter weekend hunting down obsolete parts. For a busy homesteader, that reliability can be worth the premium.

DIY Hay Elevator Plans for the Frugal Farmer

The ultimate budget option is to build your own. For the homesteader with a welder, a grinder, and a bit of ingenuity, building a hay elevator is an achievable, if challenging, project. The basic components are simple: a long frame, a drive sprocket, an idler sprocket, a chain, and paddles.

The frame can be welded from angle iron or square tubing for maximum durability. The power source can be a salvaged electric motor or a small gas engine. The real challenge often lies in sourcing the right chain. A proper pintle chain and corresponding sprockets are essential for reliability; trying to adapt a random chain will only lead to frustration when it constantly slips or breaks under load.

This path is not for everyone. It requires significant time, skill, and a deep respect for safety. An improperly designed or poorly welded elevator is a serious hazard. But for the farmer who is more rich in time and skill than in cash, a DIY elevator can be a deeply satisfying project that saves thousands of dollars.

Hay Elevator Safety and Maintenance Essentials

A hay elevator is a simple machine, but it demands respect. The moving chain and sprockets are unforgiving of loose clothing, long hair, or careless hands. Before you even turn it on, walk its length and identify every single pinch point. Make sure all safety guards are securely in place.

Annual maintenance is the key to both safety and longevity. Before hay season starts, give your elevator a thorough check-up.

• Check Chain Tension: A loose chain can jump off the sprocket and cause a jam, while a chain that’s too tight puts excessive wear on the bearings and motor. It should have just a little bit of slack.
• Grease Bearings: Any moving part needs lubrication. Hit all the grease zerks with a few pumps from a grease gun.
• Inspect the Frame: Look for stress cracks in the welds or bends in the frame, especially on older, used models.

When operating the elevator, always ensure it is on stable, level ground before raising it. Never allow anyone, especially children, to play on or around it, whether it’s running or not. A few minutes of prevention and careful operation will ensure this back-saving tool doesn’t become a source of injury.

Ultimately, the best hay elevator for your homestead is the one that fits your barn, your budget, and your type of hay. Whether it’s a restored classic, a brand-new model, or one you built yourself, the right machine transforms hay season from a dreaded chore into a productive harvest. It’s a tool that pays for itself not in dollars, but in a saved back and time better spent elsewhere on the farm.