Abstract: A carrier for large cylindrical bales of hay has a normally nearly flat bale-receiving framework which is tiltable to an upright position by a pushing movement of an associated towing vehicle. A winch-cable device is utilized to first pull a bale looped by the cable from any one of a number of lateral or linear locations to engagement with the upright framework, and then to tightly compress the bale against the framework. A bayonet structure is driven into the bale as it is compressed, and a pulling movement of the towing vehicle returns the framework to its normal orientation. The bale is dumped by removing the cable loop and again upwardly tilting the bale receiving framework.