A system includes a mobile machine for collecting a plurality of bales dispersed across a ground surface. The mobile machine is configured to collect a bale with a first bale carrier when moving in a forward direction and collect a bale with a second bale carrier when moving in a reverse direction. The system further includes one or more computing devices are configured to receive location information for the plurality of bales and automatically determine a preferred path for collecting the bales with the mobile machine using the location information, the preferred path including at least one path segment for moving in a forward direction to engage a bale with the first bale carrier and at least one path segment for moving in a reverse direction to engage a bale with the second bale carrier.
