Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving round hay bales includes a frame, an elongated, rigid and generally U-shaped pan supported on said frame and a generally U-shaped bail. A pair of carriages are slidably supported on the pan and the legs of the bail are pivoted to the carriages. An endless driven chain shifts the carriages and the bail longitudinally of the pan. A drive operatively engages the bail to pivot the bail through an angle of approximately 180.degree.. The frame is tiltable so that a forward open end of the pan may be positioned at ground level immediately adjacent a round hay bale. The U-shaped bail may be disposed around the hay bale and the carriages shifted so that the hay bale is pulled onto the elongated pan.