6 Best Electric PTO Hay Elevators for Small Farms

There’s a moment every hay season when you’re staring up at a hot, dusty hay mow, a wagon full of bales behind you, and your back is already aching just thinking about it. You can either spend the next four hours throwing bales overhead or let a machine do the heavy lifting in a fraction of the time. This is where a good electric hay elevator transforms a dreaded chore into a manageable, almost pleasant, task.

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Why a Hay Elevator Saves Your Back and Time

A hay elevator, also known as a hay conveyor, is one of those tools that seems like a luxury until the first time you use one. Then it becomes an absolute necessity. The primary benefit is obvious: it eliminates the most physically punishing part of making hay, which is lifting and throwing each 40-60 pound bale into the barn loft. This single act of mechanization dramatically reduces the risk of back strain, shoulder injuries, and sheer exhaustion that can plague small-scale farmers.

But the savings go beyond physical well-being. An elevator radically speeds up the process of unloading a hay wagon and getting your hay under cover. What might take two or three people an hour of hard labor can be done by one person feeding the elevator and another stacking in the mow in just 20 minutes. This efficiency is critical when you’re racing against an approaching rainstorm or trying to get chores done after your day job. It turns a multi-person, multi-hour job into a quick, streamlined operation.

Furthermore, a faster unloading process improves the quality of your hay. The less time bales sit on a wagon in the sun and humidity, the better. Quickly moving them into a dry, well-ventilated barn preserves their nutritional content and prevents spoilage. An elevator ensures your hard work in the field isn’t compromised in the final few yards to the mow.

Choosing Your Elevator: Length, Motor, and Chain

Selecting the right elevator isn’t just about picking a brand; it’s about matching the machine’s specifications to your farm’s unique layout. The three most critical factors are its length, the motor size, and the type of chain it uses. Get one of these wrong, and you’ll face constant frustration.

First, let’s talk about length. Measure the highest point your elevator will need to reach, then add at least 6-8 feet. This extra length ensures you can maintain a safe, effective angle (ideally 45 degrees or less) without the end of the elevator barely clearing the hay mow floor. A 24-foot elevator might seem sufficient for a 20-foot peak, but by the time you account for the wagon height and a gentle incline, you’ll find a 32-foot model is a much better and safer fit. Always err on the side of a longer elevator; you can always run it at a lower angle, but you can’t stretch a short one.

The motor is the heart of the machine. For most small farm applications moving standard square bales, a 1 HP electric motor is adequate. However, if you plan on elevating slightly heavier or damp bales, or if you’ll be running the elevator for long periods on hot days, stepping up to a 1.5 HP motor is a wise investment. It will run cooler and strain less, significantly extending its lifespan. Ensure the motor is a TEFC (Totally Enclosed, Fan Cooled) model to protect it from the endless dust and chaff of hay season.

Finally, consider the chain. You’ll generally find two types:

• Roller Chain: Similar to a bicycle chain, it’s strong and efficient but requires more consistent lubrication and is less tolerant of debris.
• Pintle Chain: This is a heavier, simpler, and more robust design with interlocking links. It’s more forgiving of dirt and neglect, making it a common choice for farm equipment that sees hard use. For most farm situations, the durability of a pintle chain is a major advantage.

Little Giant 32′ Elevator: The Reliable Classic

The Little Giant is the quintessential farm elevator, a design so effective and simple it has barely changed in decades. You’ll find these workhorses on farms all across the country, many of them still running strong after 30 or 40 years of service. Its strength lies in its straightforward, all-steel construction and a design that is incredibly easy to repair with commonly available parts.

This elevator is for the farmer who values reliability and repairability over modern bells and whistles. The open-trough design handles square bales perfectly, and its simple winch system makes raising and lowering the boom a one-person job. Because they’ve been around for so long, finding spare sprockets, chains, or bearings is never a problem at your local farm supply store. It’s a machine built on the principle that if it isn’t broken, you don’t need to fix it.

If you want a proven, no-nonsense tool that will likely outlast you with basic maintenance, the Little Giant is your answer. It may not be the lightest or the fanciest, but it shows up to work every single season without complaint. For a small farm needing to move a few hundred to a couple of thousand bales a year, this is the gold standard.

Pequea E-616: Heavy-Duty Build for Durability

Pequea has a reputation for overbuilding their equipment, and their E-616 hay elevator is a prime example of that philosophy. From the moment you see it, you can tell it’s designed for serious, consistent use. The frame is constructed from heavier gauge steel, the chain is robust, and the overall fit and finish feel a step above many lighter-duty competitors.

This elevator is the right choice for the small farmer who pushes their equipment hard. Maybe you’re putting up 3,000+ bales a season, or perhaps your hay is often baled heavy. The Pequea’s durable construction means it’s less likely to flex under load and will stand up better to the inevitable bumps and scrapes of farm life. It’s a machine that gives you confidence when you’re working against the clock.

While it comes at a higher price point than some other models, you are paying for longevity and peace of mind. If you see equipment as a long-term investment and want to buy something once and be done with it, the Pequea E-616 is worth every penny. It’s built for the farmer who demands durability and is willing to pay a premium for a machine that will not fail during the peak of hay season.

GSI 1218 Portable Elevator: Versatile and Light

While often marketed for moving grain and feed, the GSI 1218 portable elevator is a surprisingly capable and versatile option for hay on a smaller scale. Its key advantage is its lightweight, sectional aluminum construction. This makes it incredibly easy for one person to move around the farmstead, reposition between different barn doors, or even break down for transport in a pickup truck.

This is the perfect elevator for a hobby farmer with a diverse set of needs and limited space. If you need to move not only hay bales but also bags of feed, firewood, or even loose materials like mulch, the GSI’s trough design is far more versatile than a traditional skeleton-frame hay elevator. Its portability is also a huge asset if you have multiple outbuildings or need to help a neighbor.

You do trade some heavy-duty ruggedness for this portability. It won’t handle the same abuse as an all-steel Pequea. However, for someone putting up a few hundred bales and valuing a multi-purpose, easy-to-handle tool, the GSI is an excellent and often overlooked choice. If your farm demands flexibility and one person needs to manage the entire operation, this is your elevator.

Mayrath 8-Inch Elevator: A Trusted Farm Staple

Mayrath, now part of the Hutchinson family of brands, has been a trusted name in grain and material handling for generations. Their 8-inch utility auger, often configured as a portable elevator, is another fantastic multi-purpose tool for a small farm. Like the GSI, its enclosed trough design makes it useful for more than just hay bales, excelling at moving shelled corn, oats, and other small grains.

The Mayrath’s reputation is built on solid, reliable engineering. These elevators are designed for the daily grind of moving grain, so handling hay bales is well within their capability. They often feature a sturdy undercarriage and a reliable winch system, making setup straightforward. The enclosed design also offers a slight safety advantage, as it keeps the moving chain completely shielded.

This is the ideal machine for a diversified small farm where livestock feed is as important as hay. If you grind your own feed or handle bulk grain, having one machine that can do both jobs is a massive space and money saver. For the farmer who needs to move both bales and bulk feed, the Mayrath provides proven performance and dual-purpose efficiency that’s hard to beat.

Farm King BE26: Modern Design for Easy Handling

Farm King brings a more modern engineering approach to the classic elevator design. The BE26 model often features thoughtful touches that make it easier and safer to use. Look for features like a wider, more stable base, a smoothly operating cable winch, and a well-balanced frame that makes it surprisingly easy to maneuver by hand despite its all-steel construction.

This elevator is for the farmer who appreciates user-friendly design and modern manufacturing. Farm King focuses on the little details, like better-placed transport wheels and a tow bar that is easy to hook up. While its core function is the same as a Little Giant, the refinements make the process of setting it up and moving it around the barnyard significantly less of a chore.

If you find older, heavier equipment difficult to manage on your own, the Farm King is an excellent choice. It delivers the strength and durability of steel but in a package that has been optimized for easier handling. For those who value ergonomic design and want a new machine with modern conveniences, the Farm King BE26 is a top contender.

Used New Idea 522: A Budget-Friendly Workhorse

For the farmer on a tight budget, the used market is the best place to look, and the New Idea 522 is a gem you should keep an eye out for. These elevators were built in huge numbers and were known for their simple, rugged design. They are the definition of a "fix-it-with-a-wrench-and-a-hammer" piece of equipment, which is a huge plus when you can’t afford downtime waiting for dealer parts.

Buying a used 522 is all about a careful inspection. Check the main frame for any twists or bends, which indicate it’s been dropped or overloaded. Most importantly, inspect the chain for excessive stretching and the sprockets for worn, hooked teeth—these are the most common and costly wear items. If you find one that has been stored inside and has a good chain, you’ve found a bargain.

This is unequivocally the choice for the mechanically-inclined farmer who is willing to trade their time and skill for a lower purchase price. A well-maintained New Idea can provide decades of service for a fraction of the cost of a new machine. If you have more time than money and are comfortable with basic mechanical repairs, a used New Idea 522 offers unbeatable value.

Essential Hay Elevator Safety and Maintenance Tips

An elevator is a simple machine, but it demands respect. The most critical safety rule is to ensure it is on stable, level ground before raising it. A top-heavy elevator on soft or uneven ground is a serious tipping hazard. Once raised, make sure the end is securely placed inside the mow, so it cannot slip backward.

Operator safety is paramount. Never wear loose clothing, and always be aware of where your hands are in relation to the moving chain and paddles. Teach anyone helping you to stay clear of the elevator’s path and to never stand underneath it. Before starting it up for the first time each season, do a quick visual inspection to ensure no birds have built nests inside the frame and that all guards are in place.

Regular maintenance is simple but vital for a long service life.

• Before each use: Check the chain tension. It should have about an inch of play in the middle of its run. A chain that is too loose can jump the sprockets, while one that is too tight will cause premature wear on bearings and sprockets.
• Periodically: Lubricate the chain. A pintle chain can be lubricated with a light oil or specialized chain lube, while a roller chain requires more frequent attention.
• End of season: Clean off all the accumulated chaff and dust, give it a final lubrication, and store it under cover. A few minutes of preventative care will save you hours of repairs during the busy season.

Matching the Right Elevator to Your Farm’s Needs

Choosing the right hay elevator isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the best one for you. Your decision should be a practical calculation based on your specific needs, budget, and the type of work you do. Start by honestly assessing the number of bales you handle each year. A farm putting up 500 bales has very different needs than one putting up 5,000.

For the classic hobby farm with a traditional barn and a moderate amount of hay, a reliable, repairable classic like the Little Giant or a well-maintained used New Idea 522 is often the smartest financial and practical choice. If durability is your absolute top priority and you plan to use the machine heavily for years to come, investing in a heavy-duty model like the Pequea E-616 will pay dividends in reliability.

If your farm is more diversified, consider a multi-purpose machine. An enclosed elevator like the GSI or Mayrath that can also handle grain or feed bags might be a more efficient use of your resources than a dedicated hay-only tool. And if ease of use and modern design are important for making the work more manageable, the user-friendly features of the Farm King are well worth considering. Match the machine to the job, and you’ll have a tool that saves your back for decades.

Ultimately, a hay elevator is an investment in your own physical health and your farm’s efficiency. By choosing the right model for your barn, your budget, and your workload, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment; you’re buying more time and energy for all the other tasks waiting for you on the farm.