A two-panel hoop frame on skids, with a tarp, that covers one 5 ft round bale.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
5 ft roundBale
84 x 100 inFootprint
78 inCrown
4 to 6 hrBuild time
$231.08Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinished3D view, framingsiding and roof removedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
3
2x4 PT
81
Tie
on edge, between the skids
1
2x6 GC
100
Skid left
on edge
1
2x6 GC
100
Skid right
on edge
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
2x4 PT x 8 ft
Tie 1 81
2x4 PT x 8 ft
Tie 2 81
2x4 PT x 8 ft
Tie 3 81
2x6 GC x 10 ft
Skid left 1 100
2x6 GC x 10 ft
Skid right 1 100
Shopping list $231.08 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
2x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treated
Home Depot
3
$4.68
$14.04
see lumber cutting diagram
2x6x10 ground-contact pressure-treated
Home Depot
2
$12.98
$25.96
see lumber cutting diagram
Cattle panel, 16 ft x 50 in, 4-gauge
Tractor Supply
2
$37.99
$75.98
Poly tarp 20 x 30 ft, 10 mil (Tarpex)
Tractor Supply
1
$62.99
$62.99
UV zip ties 11 in, 100 ct (also used for tie wire)
Home Depot
1
$17.65
$17.65
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb box
Home Depot
1
$29.97
$29.97
Poultry staples 3/4 in, 1 lb
Southern States
1
$4.49
$4.49
Total before tax
$231.08
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Level a pad of gravel the size of the skids, 7 ft wide and 100 in long. Lay the two 2x6 skids 7 ft apart.
Screw the 2x4 ties across the skids at each end and the middle.
Stand one end of a 16 ft cattle panel on each skid, bend it in until it stands on both, and screw the feet down. Set two panels side by side and wire them together.
Roll a 5 ft round bale in onto the gravel, on its flat end, with the tractor. Pull the tarp over the arch and the bale and strap it to the skids.
Leave one end open for air so the bale does not sweat.
Before you start
The arch is 83 in tall inside, enough for a 5 ft diameter, 4 ft wide round bale on its end. It holds one bale; build two for a winter's feed of three animals.
A tarp over a bale on the ground wicks moisture from below; set the bale on gravel or pallets.
Hay stored under cover loses 5 percent, against 25 percent outside.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.