Abstract: A bale accumulator and method in which a plurality of hay bales can be accumulated and arranged into a cluster of ten bales (a “ten stack”). The accumulator first collects a bale in each of two angled bale receivers at the rear of the accumulator. These remain in position as four columns having two bales each are collected in a more forward collection. The result is two angled bales being dragged to the rear of a conventional “eight stack.” As the device releases all ten bales, gate mechanisms rotate the two rear bales 90 degrees so that they lie transverse to the eight bales comprising the “eight stack.” The two rear bales are pressed against the rear of the eight stack in order to form a ten stack.

Abstract: A bale accumulator and method in which a plurality of hay bales can be accumulated and arranged into a cluster of ten bales (a “ten stack”). The accumulator first collects a bale in each of two angled bale receivers at the rear of the accumulator. These remain in position as four columns having two bales each are collected in a more forward collection. The result is two angled bales being dragged to the rear of a conventional “eight stack.” As the device releases all ten bales, gate mechanisms rotate the two rear bales 90 degrees so that they lie transverse to the eight bales comprising the “eight stack.” The two rear bales are pressed against the rear of the eight stack in order to form a ten stack.