The Big Hole Valley is also known as "The Valley of 10,000 Haystacks." The Beaverslide device was invented in 1907 right here in Beaverhead County and until last night I had never seen one in use. These devices are not being used much any more, having been given up for more modern baling equipment. A "buckrake" pushes the hay to onto a platform at the foot of the slide and pulleys pull it 30' into the air and dump it in the cage. As the cage fills, the device can be dragged forward to create long, tall loose bales of hay which are left in the fields as fodder. These loose bales are rarely seen anymore and it was a real treat for me to see one being made last night.
@byrdlip Hey, Thanks!! I never thought to check out YouTube! Here's another link, if you didn't already see this one. My husband worked around the Hirschy family for 13 years! Thanks for checking this out! :-)
I had to look that one up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63yIf8wgKI0
@taffy @moonmtn Thank you! I appreciate it.