Bale spear fail! Advice?

[trubandloki]

@HungarianHippo

I know it seems simple to just dictate bale size, but please trust me when I say that it’s what works for this hay-making arrangement.

Don’t feel bad. I have yet to encounter a hay farmer that will alter the bale size for a client unless that client is a huge client.

[Bluey]

If your main problem is a too short spear that lets the bale tip and slip out of your spear, try adding a pipe sized to fit just right over the spear and maybe 2’ longer, to give you that extra balance on the spear so it doesn’t tip.

If you push a bit, the pipe should spear the bale about like the spear does, as loose as they seem to be packed.

Or get a stout 5’ tamping bar and chain/strap it to the spear in two or three places so it sticks 2’ past it, as an extension of it.

[NaturallyHappy]

@HungarianHippo

I know it seems simple to just dictate bale size, but please trust me when I say that it’s what works for this hay-making arrangement. When you only have 10 ac of hay ground, and you get your baling done for free, and he makes quality bales and he’s a nice guy to have around, you have to make some compromises. Every single thing about this arrangement works for both of us, except that the bales are hard for me to move. If there’s ever a time when I can’t move a bale – deep snow, or whatever-- Hay Guy has come over to move it for me. So the bale size is absolutely something I can live with. Just hoping to improve how I do it.

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone. The cargo strap around the back of the bale to keep it on the spear is a good one-- we have a draw bar hitch that I could hook onto. But ultimately, it’s not much different than what I’m doing now (run a cargo strap around it to tip it over so it’s stitting on it’s end, on the sled). Probably would add a bit more precision to the operation.

When I consider all of the compromises / workarounds I’d need to make the bale spear functional, I think I’ll probably just stick with my current method. If I need to go through the trouble of swapping out an implement, I want that implement to really work well. With the current tip & drag routine, I could go fetch a bale even if the backhoe or mower are already on the tractor. I am sure the quick attach forklift plate for the front hydraulics is in our future, so when we get around to buying that, I’ll give it a try.

Guess I’ll just list the spear on CL, at least it wasn’t expensive.

A wonderful farmer is a gift! I understand your choices completely.

[tangledweb]

I’ve got a similar sized tractor that works just fine at both ends. On the front end loader I sometimes get bales that are right at its limit and can’t stack them two high. I’ll add my vote for shorter top link. Adjust the top link so that dropped to the ground the spear is pointing up a little. Then when you raise it up it should be angled up significantly.

[Bluey]

@tangledweb

I’ve got a similar sized tractor that works just fine at both ends. On the front end loader I sometimes get bales that are right at its limit and can’t stack them two high. I’ll add my vote for shorter top link. Adjust the top link so that dropped to the ground the spear is pointing up a little. Then when you raise it up it should be angled up significantly.

Plus lifting the back of the bale more than the front as the whole bale is lifted adds to the weight on the tractor back axle, giving it a little more oomph! to work with.

Always remember, any time we are stressing a machine close to it’s limits, go veeeery slowly, in the lowest gear, so if something breaks, a hydraulic connection or part of the tractor, stopping will be instantaneous, the wreck won’t be quite as bad.