A hand-operated hay bale cart has only two wheels connected in a laterally spaced-apart fashion to a generally rectangular handle frame. The handle frame is generally near the top, or above, the wheels, creating an open space beneath the frame and between the wheels for receiving a bale of animal feed. Pivotally supported by the handle frame is a securement rack that swings freely on a horizontal axis and includes a set of curved hooks at or near both the front and back of the securement rack. A hook handle operates the hooks to rotate relative to the rack to impale the hay bale. The securement rack, if it is allowed to rotate freely, including when it has impaled and secured a bale of hay, may balance the lifted bale of hay between the two wheels for convenient transport.