Front-End Loader Bolt on Bale Spear

   / Bolt on Bale Spear #1  

farm guy

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2011
Messages
45
Location
WV
Tractor
Branson 5220C
Hi all,

I have a Branson 5220 with a FEL 55hp turbo. The loader is rated for 2200 pounds at the pins. I was wondering if I will stress the loader by using a bolt on bale spear instead of dropping the bucket and attach a bale spear directly to the arms. My dealer has a one in a quick detach for $400. The bales I plan to pick up are around 800 pounds.
 
   / Bolt on Bale Spear #2  
I prefer a quick attach if you your bucket is easy to drop and then grap the spear. You can see what you are doing so much better.

On one on the bucket when you have the spear level to pick one up you can't see the tip of it most of the time.
 
   / Bolt on Bale Spear #3  
I tried the bucket bale spears and did not like it. I built my own quick attach bale spear, that is the way to go.
 
   / Bolt on Bale Spear #4  
Hi all,

I have a Branson 5220 with a FEL 55hp turbo. The loader is rated for 2200 pounds at the pins. I was wondering if I will stress the loader by using a bolt on bale spear instead of dropping the bucket and attach a bale spear directly to the arms. My dealer has a one in a quick detach for $400. The bales I plan to pick up are around 800 pounds.

I picked up a new SSQA bale spear for $250, single 39" prong, I believe its a wildcat out the US. I almost went with welding a spear mount in the middle of top edge of the bucket but by the time I had my local welder reinforce the top of the bucket it made sense just to buy the spear on a QA frame. Do some searching online and you should be able to find a QA spear for less than $400.
 
   / Bolt on Bale Spear #5  
$60 spear plus 3X3 angle 1 1/4" hole for spear 2 holes 1/2" in angle iron. Two 1/2" holes in bottom of bucket. Done. Like it so much I made two.
 
   / Bolt on Bale Spear #6  
do not use a bolt on bale spear on your bucket.get the quick attch hay forks or bale spear.
 
   / Bolt on Bale Spear #8  
Takes about one minute to attach. I can lift an 800 pound bale no problem.

Ditto. I think I spent about $75 for mine on eBay plus another $10 for the receiver. Bonus is I can hook chains to the empty receiver or add a 10" drop ball and move trailers around. For occasional use (I move 2-3 bales a month) I see no problems.



 
   / Bolt on Bale Spear
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Hi All,

After reading all your posts and do some more research, I tend to agree that a quick detach would be better.

While reading the posts I noticed a ad from PalletForks.com. I went and took a look and found the same bale spear for $390 and for another $125 I can get pallet forks! Delivery is free to my local feed store. As I said it seems to be the same as I saw at my dealer. So has anyone dealt with this company??

For the money seems like a great deal!

Thank for your help!!

Farm guy
 
   / Bolt on Bale Spear #10  
Hi all,

I have a Branson 5220 with a FEL 55hp turbo. The loader is rated for 2200 pounds at the pins. I was wondering if I will stress the loader by using a bolt on bale spear instead of dropping the bucket and attach a bale spear directly to the arms. My dealer has a one in a quick detach for $400. The bales I plan to pick up are around 800 pounds.

Stay away from the bolt-on. You WILL stress the FEL. (my cousin has ruined a couple of tilt cylinders) Plus, you can't see with the bucket in the way.

As several have already said, go to a quick attach system. You can get them after-market and relatively inexpensive.
 
 
 
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